Minie Skirt stuck in barrel of 1861 Springfield

[Cannonman1]

Short of pulling the breech plug is there a best method to remove a skirt (or 2) from the barrel of a Rifle Musket??

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Well, you could put some oil down the bore, let it soak for a while and then try to push a stiff borebrush into the center of the skirt/bullet remnant. Maybe you will be able to pull it out then as the brush will grip the remnant and possibly enable you to remove it. If it doesn't work you are no worse off than before unless you also end up with a stuck range rod. Then you might need to remove the breech plug.

You could also attempt to use a commercial lead solvent. Plug the nipple with something, pour the chemical in and let it sit for a few days. You might be able to just pour it out.

Now, I have been called stupid, so listen to what others suggest before you try any of this. I have never encountered a Minie ball skirt stuck in a rifle bore before. One of the other grey-beards may have dealt with this problem.

 

[TDM]

Grease gun time.

 

[APG]

Is it just the skirt from the minieball or is it the whole minieball?

 

[chorizo]

In for the advice....can't be the first time it has happened, but I haven't ever heard a solution to this before!

 

[russellshaffer]

Run a small rod down to the edge of the skirt and tap it sideways. Then fish it out. Watch for ideas, I bet there are people on here who have had this problem more than once.

 

[Kno-ie]

I used a small caliber rod with a new bore brush wrapped with a bit of cloth. Pushed it through to the breech, then back up. Between the new bore brush and the cloth being pulled back on it's self it grabbed the remaining skirt and came out. I discovered that I had two skirts in the bore. Both came with the first pull. It worked for me on the first try.
Kno-ie

 

[TDM]

I don't shoot Minnie balls. How did the skirt separate? Is this a common problem? Because it's the first I've heard of it.

 

[chorizo]

I thought the same so I searched. Thin skirt, hot load, rough bore seem to be the causal factor combination

 

[TDM]

Interesting, always heard that Minnie's didn't need a lot of powder. Now I know why.

 

[Cannonman1]

Thanks for the suggestions..
This is actually a pard that has the issue from a recent shoot. He noticed it when trying to clean the gun.
He is going to try the brush method and that failing would fall back on taking a 1/4 inch steel rod with a 45 degree bevel on the end and carefully search out the skirt and gently attempt to break it open on one edge or turn it. Will report how that goes.
Thanks again
Bill
PS.. Happy New Year !!!

 

[TDM]

Oh yes, Happy New Year to everybody.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

I could see where turning the skirt "sideways" could be a big help.
(whatever blows your skirt up)

 

[TC]

I would agree with using a rod to carefully tap the side of the skirt. I have had and heard of bore brushes getting stuck in muzzleloaders and would advise against using that method.

 

[Cannonman1]

I would agree with using a rod to carefully tap the side of the skirt. I have had and heard of bore brushes getting stuck in muzzleloaders and would advise against using that method.

Yes.. Good point.. I suggested the same to my pard .. Use the rod first

 

[Kno-ie]

Thanks for the suggestions..
This is actually a pard that has the issue from a recent shoot. He noticed it when trying to clean the gun.
He is going to try the brush method and that failing would fall back on taking a 1/4 inch steel rod with a 45 degree bevel on the end and carefully search out the skirt and gently attempt to break it open on one edge or turn it. Will report how that goes.
Thanks again
Bill
PS.. Happy New Year !!!

The style of brush to be used is one that loops through it's threaded base. DO NOT use the style that is swaged or pressed into it's base. To do so may cause the brush to pull off, leaving it stuck in the bore.
I found mine when cleaning. I think the pumping of the water may have loosen the skirts some what in the bore and allowed them to move easier when being pulled on. Good Luck
Kno-ie

 

[JamesT]

I have heard of this happening but never experienced it. If it were me I would unbreach it. Not a huge deal if you have a good vice and a good pipe type wrench. The kind without the teeth. Take a cold chisel and put a mark or two across the bottom flat and breach plug for reinstallation and alignment.

 

[Spillikins]

Would it be possible to screw a small hook into the end of a long dowel and pull it out with that? Or some similar arrangement.

 

[akroguy]

Screw a suitably threaded round headed bolt into end of cleaning rod and use head of bolt to hook the blown skirt and start working it towards the muzzle. Oil the bore too.

 

[bang]

I would try a very good rod with a metal patch loop. Push in the patch just far enough in that when you pull it wedges at the back of the skirt. If it won't budge then just push the patch through and it will come out.