Holey balls, batman!!!

[SDSmlf]

Yeah, I did shine a bright LED down there and could see something round-ish with a small hole off center.

Does the hole look something like this?

 

[Dude]

Would love to see a photograph of your unique TCs. Here is a photograph of a TC breech plug I pulled. The same as others I have pulled. Based on my L. S. Starrett scale the plug extends about an inch in front of the nipple. Please post a photograph of what you are talking about. View attachment 89082

Here's a cut-away of a TC breech plug. I guess it's called a patent breech plug (don't know why).

If mine is like that one, which they all supposedly are, the ramrod won't fit into that cup shaped orifice - which would put it about an inch ahead of the nipple.

And yes, when I look down the barrel I could very possibly be seeing what you've shown. When shining a light through the nipple orifice I couldn't see it in the barrel so assumed the passage was blocked. We know the liability of assumptions.

I'll determine if what's pictured is what I have and get back to you.

 

[Dude]

Now that I'd seen the cross section of the breech plug, when I shine a light through the nipple hole, I see light rings in the breech. By all indications I cried "WOLF!" when the coast was clear. But I have learned something and possibly others can learn from this as well. Sorry for the false alarm, but it did end well and in fewer than seven pages.

 

[SDSmlf]

Here's a cut-away of a TC breech plug. I guess it's called a patent breech plug (don't know why).

If mine is like that one, which they all supposedly are, the ramrod won't fit into that cup shaped orifice - which would put it about an inch ahead of the nipple.

And yes, when I look down the barrel I could very possibly be seeing what you've shown. When shining a light through the nipple orifice I couldn't see it in the barrel so assumed the passage was blocked. We know the liability of assumptions.

I'll determine if what's pictured is what I have and get back to you.

That cutaway is what your breech should look like. If you are worried that your eyes are deceiving you, do you have a 1/4” or 5/16” diameter dowel or rod you can use to check the bore is clear to the breech? Also curious to see what Stan the man comes back with.

 

[Tasbay]

I read the first couple of posts on this thread at work and first thought was , Yeh that's about right for an empty T/C. Rod stops about 1 inch from the nipple or flash hole.
If you took a inch as a fully loaded rifle there is 1/2 an inch in the ball alone and not very much powder behind it. Very unlikely it was loaded.

 

[Britsmoothy]

If you tip some powder down the barrel, does it appear under the nipple?
Answer yes: rifle bore is clear.
Answer no: rifle bore blocked.

 

[Stantheman86]

Would love to see a photograph of your unique TCs. Here is a photograph of a TC breech plug I pulled. The same as others I have pulled. Based on my L. S. Starrett scale the plug extends about an inch in front of the nipple. Please post a photograph of what you are talking about. View attachment 89082

Just trying to help out Guy, relax

I've been wrong before but I appreciate the effort with your photos and repeated comments directed at me

 

[Tennessee Muzzy]

Another member contacted me via PM with his thought that the breech plug on the TC Hawken could be about an inch ahead of the nipple. Is this a possibility?

Perhaps I've gotten all worked up over nothing?

Would anyone be so kind as to plumb the depth of the breech from the nipple for me? Perhaps this all is a non-issue.

That sounds very logical, and something I was considering.

First I'd better find out if there is, or isn't, anything down there.

Just a thought have you tried either air compressor or some way to put air through nipple and point in safe direction at maybe piece of paper or leaf to see if it moves or something I came in the middle probably missed something

 

[Loyalist Dave]

A $50 borescope is worth it's weight in gold when buying any type of used long guns. Look before you buy. If the seller refuses the inspection, pass on the purchase. Exception being buying remotely online. I learned by experience!

I agree, and actually they can be even less expensive. Just be sure you get it small enough. Look on eBay.

LD

 

[Notchy Bob]

I saw this thread last night, and wanted to wait until I could post a couple of pictures. I see that @Idaholewis and @SDSmlf were thinking the same thing I was.

Not to beat a dead horse, but here is a photo of a T/C type breechplug, courtesy of Track of the Wolf:



I also stuck a half-inch rod down the bore of a T/C Renegade barrel I have on hand. This photo shows the point at which the rod bottomed out:

Is that about the point where your rod bottomed out, @Dude ?

As shown in posts #21 and 22, the T/C patent breech is counterbored to form a small chamber or "powder well," which is probably what Dude was seeing when he shone the light down there.

One final thought is you can try what the reenactors do to ensure their muskets are unloaded, which is to "ping" your barrel. Take a metal rod and just drop it in the bore from just a couple of inches above the breech face. If it hits steel (meaning the breechplug), it will give a metallic "ping." If the metal rod hits a lead ball, you'll just get a thud.

Be safe!

Notchy Bob

 

[BS]

Some of the folks are using this one:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TTQF24...ef=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title&tag=forumyield-20
$46

 

[Eric Krewson]

Here is another shot of a TC breech made with my $10 eBay bore scope.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Here is another shot of a TC breech made with my $10 eBay bore scope.

View attachment 89106

Ouch them lands look very sharp Eric!

 

[gvandersluis]

Buy a Thill nite Brite LED bobber battery light, made for fishing bobbers these tiny battery powered lights slide down your ml barell and light up the entire breech and clearly show everything from the flash hole forward. I use one routinely to check after I clean. They will fit any barrel from .32 up