Question?

[David W.]

That may very well be true. There is not enough written about how or what method they used to load their guns. Many people of the time were illiterate. Many other things were just taken for granted. I have seen pictures of a roll of pillow ticking taken from an old hunting bag. That would suggest they "cut at the muzzle", but is not conclusive evidence everyone did. The same reasoning would apply to ball blocks. If they were worn around the neck, most of them would not be found in old hunting bags. Hey, if it were all written down, we would not have much to discuss or disagree with here!

One question remains, when WAS the first ball block used? Where is that picture of I saw of the guy with a ball block around his neck? OK, that was two questions.

 

[saber]

if some one wanted to take my hair now I would

 

[hoochiepapa]

I read that when TSHTF, they didn't use patches, they just held balls in their mouths and slid them down the barrel after charging.
Another said that on horseback, that same procedure was done and they hit the butt on the ground to seat the ball against the powder. :idunno:

 

[longcruise]

I read that when TSHTF, they didn't use patches

What the heck is TSHTF?

I have read that same thing about balls in the mouth while shooting off horseback. I think it was attributed to the plains indians. None was primary or even secondary documentation though. Seems like getting the powder down the bore would be the hard part. If I was a plains indian, I'd use my bow. :haha:

Flintolock62,

That may very well be true. There is not enough written about how or what method they used to load their guns. Many people of the time were illiterate. Many other things were just taken for granted. I have seen pictures of a roll of pillow ticking taken from an old hunting bag. That would suggest they "cut at the muzzle", but is not conclusive evidence everyone did. The same reasoning would apply to ball blocks. If they were worn around the neck, most of them would not be found in old hunting bags. Hey, if it were all written down, we would not have much to discuss or disagree with here!

Yeah, that's the trouble with all that evidence. It's hard to place it in time or context. Take the roll of patching for example. Could have been there with the intention of cutting it into squares when needed? I myself often carry strips of "extra" patching in my bag for that same purpose with the intent of cutting them up if needed.

You hit the nail on the head regarding the fact that it was not all written down. After all, even those who kept journals did not see any reason to keep records of what to them was a mundane everyday thing.

A modern writer might say "I got in my car and drove to . . . . . " They won't describe exactly how they started the car, put it in gear, etc., etc. (well, maybe if they are NASCAR types! )

 

[William O.]

What the heck is TSHTF?

When the S__T Hits The Fan, fight or flight, ready or not, etc.

 

[gearheart]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: Took a couple of seconds but I figured it out.

 

[nchawkeye]

I was just watching Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" today,and in one scene I coulda swore he had a ball block hanging around his neck?Maybe I was seeing things,but it made me wonder for a sec if it was indeed a ball block or if it was PC/HC?

He does have one and as you can see, many think it isn't historically correct for the American Revolution...

 

[longcruise]

Ok, I get it now! :haha:

 

[Huntin_Dawg1215]

Yes Mel has a block around his neck. Here is something to ponder. Back in the sixtys when I was youngr my dad had a Ml 36 cal. His set up was like this. His horn had a wooden plug one end fit into the horn to hold the powder in the other end was hollowed out for the amount of powder he shot(powder measure) 2 tools in one. His patch was fodder twine ( a type of string we use in hay balers)cut at the barrel and it was washed before using. His lead balls were loose in the bottom of the leather ball bag.

Side note I still have all those item bag, horn and rifle.

 

[William O.]

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: Took a couple of seconds but I figured it out.

My favorite reference to that phrase is the scene in the movie "Airplane!" when the stuff literally hits the old fan; then they really know they're in trouble.