Leather Loading Block

[MikeC]

I would like to make or purchase a 2 to 3 ball leather loading block. Has any one made one or purchased one, where did you get the leather from and how thick for a .520 ball with a .018 patch?

Thanks...Mike

 

[mazo kid]

Sorry, I don't have any answers for you. A close friend made one for me several years ago in .60 cal. It is about 3/8"-1/2" thick, two pieces leather sewn together. It is the bottom one in the photo.

 

[LRB]

Why leather?

 

[boar]

I made one not to long ago..50 cal. My buddy made work harness and gave me some heavy scraps he had left over. Real easy to make. I used a leather punch then a sharp knife. Dilly

 

[Many Klatch]

Leather shoe sole will work.

Many Klatch

 

[MikeC]

Why leather?

Something different, thats all.

"My buddy made work harness and gave me some heavy scraps he had left over. Real easy to make. I used a leather punch then a sharp knife. Dilly"...I;ll look into that, may be able to get something from work.

"Leather shoe sole will work."...I'll look into that also.

Appreciate the info.

 

[rafterob]

I used to make sandals, and yes the sole leather works great. It is about 5/16" thick. The ball will protrude but this makes it easy to center in the barrel quickly. The leather becomes nimble over time and in my opinion is more comfortable to use than the wooden blocks. Look up Tandy leather supplies online. Leather is not cheap.

 

[Muskeg Stomper]

Don't know about where you live but around here one item that I see in thrift stores all the time are those thick leather weight-lifting belts. If you find one that isn't all nasty from sweat (most are OK) the leather would be perfect for this loading block project. It also makes great scales (handles) for throwing knives.

 

Mike,
Check out the classified forum on this site.
Mark

 

[Black Hand]

Why leather?

Something different, thats all.

Why create something that is not historically accurate. Heck, if you are going to use leather, why not glass or aluminum or plastic?

Just doesn't make any sense to me.....

 

Why create something that is not historically accurate. Heck, if you are going to use leather, why not glass or aluminum or plastic?

Just doesn't make any sense to me.....

I think that many black powder shooters are not interested in history, they just like guns. That's cool.

And, being men, they suffer from M.G.S. (Male Gadget Syndrome) :wink:

 

[Tsegoweleh]

Why create something that is not historically accurate. Heck, if you are going to use leather, why not glass or aluminum or plastic?

Just doesn't make any sense to me.....
[/quote]

Oatsayo,
Who says it isent HC ? I never thought of leather blocks. Perhaps thats the reason that there are none in existance. They turned to junk and were tossed out. Perhaps they were very common in the day. Its a great idea to me.

 

[mazo kid]

Yep, what you and Carl said. And besides, MikeC didn't ask about an HC (which it COULD be) leather ball block, just how to MAKE one.

 

[Black Hand]

Oatsayo,
Who says it isent HC ? I never thought of leather blocks. Perhaps thats the reason that there are none in existance. They turned to junk and were tossed out. Perhaps they were very common in the day. Its a great idea to me.

In the general scheme of things and the hobby we do, it matters. Just because there are no examples does not mean it didn't exist, but then again you cannot prove it existed by lack of documentation. In this world, documented examples are all we can depend on. Therefore, if it is not documented it doesn't exist. Your levels of accuracy may differ, and if that is OK with you, great. But don't expect others to have that same view, and don't cry when others call you on it.....

 

[omarick1948]

Here we go again.... ff :dead:

When was leather and hole punches invented?

 

[Black Hand]

Here we go again.... ff :dead:

When was leather and hole punches invented?

Does it matter?
No documentation for leather loading blocks, and not so much on wooden loading blocks either (though there is more). Make one if you want, or don't. It's your fantasy so you make the rules....

 

[redwing]

Now "BH" we know they were around in the old days. Mel Gibson had one in the "Patriot". If it is in the movies its for real. :rotf:

 

[Black Hand]

Now "BH" we know they were around in the old days. Mel Gibson had one in the "Patriot". If it is in the movies its for real. :rotf:

I have seen pictures of loading blocks (wood) but they are believed to be from a later time. There is one that may be from the 1700s, but the provenance is sketchy, and some think that the date is an addition to a later piece.

Personally, I have and use a loading block. Just handy to have. But if someone asks, I let them know that they just were not very common and may not be historically appropriate to the F&I/Pre-Rev. But when I am hunting, I am interested in being able to get a second shot as fast as possible, though I rarely use it.

 

[romeoh]

:hmm: It may be common meaning in a few hundret years that: there is no evidence for a german car in 2009 with a chinese DVD-player and czech diesel in the tank that ever transported a US flintlock gun in it´s trunk.
Though it is a fact when I drive to the range. :haha:

 

We just can't get enough of that, "You can't prove it never happened" attitude. We use it to justify all the gadgets that we wish they would have had. :shake: