Fowler Wiping Stick Questions

[Capt. Jas.]

I have a fowler that has ramrod channel interference from the front lock bolt. I have filed the bolt but I still need more room. I have some questions on making an authentic wiping stick for the gun and getting as much length as I can. I plan on using a tapered end for the muzzle end to have some beef there and using a tapered metal end that would go down the pipes to inside the gun.I was thinking of tapering the metal end to give more clearance under the lock bolt.

1. Were the period sticks that had metal ends for attachments male or female threaded?

2. Could they be of either iron or brass?


Thanks in advance,

Jim

 

The ramrod tips were made of sheet iron on a tapered mandrel and simply wrapped around the mandrel and brazed at the butt joint seam. The end was threaded on the small end where there was a hole from making the cone shape. They had female threads in them and usually about 2"-2 3/4" long with a transverse iron pin holding them onto the rod. A lot different from the machined ones you see for sale now of brass or mild steel.
Don

 

[Okwaho]

I have a very slim 1760's English fowler by Chris Gilgun which has an iron rammer with a button end.He had the same problem so he tapered the rammer from 5/16 near the muzzle end to 3/16 where it passed the foward lock bolt.He ground that portion of the lower end of the rammer in an arc enough to where it would allow the lock bolt to pass.I have a mark on the sideplate to show me where to tighten the lock bole to allow the rammer to pass.It's a little aggravating at times but it works well. The lower end of the rammer is threaded for a female worm from one of those combination hammer,worm amd vent pick outfits,although you could use any other worm. Captain James is correct as to the end of a wooden rammer with a female end to allow a worm with a male end.Most early Kentucky rifles had tapered wooden rammers with a metal tip and a female end for the worm.A worm is the most correct way to clean a gun I think the best. I doubt the jag was used much before the mid 19th century if that early.
Tom Patton

 

[Okwaho]

"He had the same problem so he tapered the rammer from 5/16 near the muzzle end to 3/16 where it passed the foward lock bolt.He ground that portion of the lower end of the rammer in an arc enough to where it would allow the lock bolt to pass"

I meant to say,"He ground that portion of the lock bolt in an arc to where it would allow the rammer to pass".
Sorry about that,it's been a long day.
Tom Patton :bow:

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Thanks for the help guys.