Loading Blocks

[Marc Adamchek]

Does anyone know of any documentation for the use of these in the 18th century? If so, any knowledge of just how they were carried, i.e.around the neck like so many do today or hanging somewhere else? Like the short starter, I have a little trouble envisioning such a thing being commonly used by many folk.

 

[Legionair]

I don't know of any documentable sources (others here probably can site specific references), but it seems to me it would have been used by hunters mainly.

If I were hunting (theory goes), I'd quit once I hit a quantity of meat (single deer, couple turkeys, or a number of smaller species) so I'd only need a certain number of sucessful shots.

I can see a skilled hunter figuring in a "fudge" factor for misses, and carrying 5-10 extra shots on a short hunting trip.

It makes sense to carry them "pre-loaded" in a hollowed wood block - faster to find for a second shot.

'Course this is all speculation on my part....

Just an opinion...

Legion

 

[boar]

Marc They just had a big spew about this on Frontier Net. Experts say they didn't have them. I Use them,But Iam not PC on everthing.I use what I like and works for me. Go over and read their posts. Dilly

 

[LRB]

There is one that has turned up with a date cut in it of 1757, however, Wallace Gusler is convinced that it is a fake, and so are a few others who should know. I use one, and suppose that I will continue the use. For a follow up shot, or just to approach downed game, I find it indispensible.

 

[rice1817]

In Madison Grant's book "The Kentucky Rifle Hunting Pouch" there is a picture of an original bag, undated, that has a 20 round loading block attached to it. Grant believed that the pouch and block belonged to a "stump shooter", which I believe to be a type of target shooter. My experience with them is that they work well for a second shot, but beyond that, the fouling in the barrel becomes a problem with any kind of thick lube(bore butter, moose snot, etc)on the patched ball in the loading block. I know the old timers are said to have used the smaller ball, thumb started, probably a coned muzzle and all of that, but I cannot see the loading block as being much use in a combat situation. I think they would have probably bare-balled it if speed of fire was a concern. I like to make paper cartridges, with a thin patch sewn to the ball inside the cartridge. I bite off the ball, which gets it wet with saliva. The pre-measure charge loads quickly, as does the spit-patched ball, with no short starter needed. The spit patch does a better job of softening the fouling than any grease lube I have ever used.

 

[Swampman]

While I'm normally a real stickler for authenticity/documentation, the loading block is an exception for me. I use one and I keep it on back side of my hunting pouch strap.when not in use, it stays inside my bag like everything else. In the center of your chest is the best place, but it gets in the way and everyone can see it. Using period lubrication, fouling is never a problem. Sometimes I rub some more lube or spit into the patched balls from the back side of the block. I hardly ever use it, but it's there.

 

[LRB]

Like swampman, I sometimes add more lube to the back side. I have not experienced fouling difficulties using the block.

 

[Stumpkiller]

. . . but I cannot see the loading block as being much use in a combat situation.

IMHO it's still easier to find a ball in a block, tied to my horn strap or pouch, than to fumble for a ball in a bag. I can go 15 shots with either the "Snot" or moose milk without resorting to a short starter with my regular 0.530" lead balls and 0.015" patching. I usually use 0.018" and just swab after five shots. (My muzzle is radius crowned, not coned).

There are several in Madison Grant's book on the Hunting Pouch. Unfortunately, pouches that have been around for 200 or more years are bound to have lost or accumulated items. From his [excellent] book, you can't even prove that leather pouches were used prior to, maybe even during, the Revolutionary War.

 

[Harddog]

Here's a picture of the 1757 loading block that is in the Swan Museum that Wick talked about above:

 

[faw3]

Looks old enough to me, seems MB had one a few yrs back too. I just made up a few they do save time fumbling around ect. Fred :hatsoff:

 

[Harddog]

Looks old enough to me, seems MB had one a few yrs back too. I just made up a few they do save time fumbling around ect. Fred :hatsoff:

Fred,

Mark Baker had this very same bullet block illustrated in an article he did for "muzzle Blasts" magazine two or three years ago. However, by the time Mark was able to photograph the bullet block it had been split in two.

Randy Hedden

 

[Marc Adamchek]

Mr Boar-dilly, I'm unfamiliar with the website you mention. Is it literally[url] frontier.net[/url]?

 

Randy, thanks for the picture of that loading block. That is a neat thing!
Don

 

[Claude Mathis]

Just a reminder.

We do not allow posting links to sites that contain muzzleloading discussion boards.

You may offer this information via Private Topics.

Thanks

 

[Pittsburghunter]

Claude I hope there is an exception as when I steer inline shooters to sites that cater to their needs.

I understand your not wanting to send traffic to other sites but when we do not provide the service they need I feel obligated to help them and at the same time invite them to get a traditional gun and hang out here :thumbsup:

 

[Claude Mathis]

Claude I hope there is an exception as when I steer inline shooters to sites that cater to their needs.

I understand your not wanting to send traffic to other sites but when we do not provide the service they need I feel obligated to help them and at the same time invite them to get a traditional gun and hang out here :thumbsup:

I have no problem with you sending people to in-line or any non-muzzleloading sites.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

I confess I am guilty of pre slobbering lubed patched balls out of a loading block when being attacked by a vicious pack of cannibalistic picket pins. :winking:

Prefer Crisco, lard or butter gets a little rancid in the summer heat at times. :grin: