Ramrod Stripes

[labrat]

I like the looks of the light barber shop stripes on the ramrods. How is this best done? Also is the metal tip used to seat the ball or do you use the bare wood end? ......Labrat

 

[Rifleman1776]

Lots of ways to do stripe: tape and acid; flame and care; felt tip marker. Did them all back in the day when I thought it was neat. Do yer own thang when seating. But most will advise the brass tip. Good luck on your ml journey.

 

[JohnL]

I have a 150 year old Belgian Muzzleloading shotgun with a ramrod that the owner made as a replacement. It has faint stripes like you mention; I’ve studied and wonder how he did it. I was thinking he taped it then lightly hit it with a propane torch to lightly darken the grain. I’m interested in what you decide to do!

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
Just keep in mind that was not done during the time period Kibler's colonial rifle purports to represent. It was a mid 19th century fashion at the earliest. The metal ferrule goes on the end of the rod inserted in the ramrod hole. The muzzle is just swelled wood.

dave

 

[labrat]

Thank you everyone for your replies & comments. Very much appreciated. My hope is to build this beautiful rifle, add a few engravings and hopefully finish it off with a beautiful wood tiger stripe finish. Not looking for period correctness but close with a few touches of my own. I saw these strips on a few rifles and thought they were unique. Not totally committed yet but looking...............Labrat

 

[Fly Navy]

There is no reason you can't have a couple of different ramrods.

 

[dave_person]

There is no reason you can't have a couple of different ramrods.

Hi,
That is very true and with wooden rods, very wise.

dave

 

[LME]

I have a 150 year old Belgian Muzzleloading shotgun with a ramrod that the owner made as a replacement. It has faint stripes like you mention; I’ve studied and wonder how he did it. I was thinking he taped it then lightly hit it with a propane torch to lightly darken the grain. I’m interested in what you decide to do!

That is how I striped my arrow shafts. One thing I found through trial and error was to use good electrical tape. I liked 3M brand or tape like is used in mines. These seemed to leave sharper lines.

 

[totonap]

I once used Cannon fuse, Just wrap it around the rod tight and lit it.

 

[LME]

I once used Cannon fuse, Just wrap it around the rod tight and lit it.

Never thought of that? How much does cannon fuse cost? It would take a long piece to do a ram rod?

 

[Red Owl]

Turner Kirkland of Dixie Gun works examined a lot of old striped ramrods. At the time there was some thought the stripe was burned on but examination revealed no such scorching. There is some thought a cord or rope was soaked in a stain or reagent and wrapped around the ramrod.

 

[ohio ramrod]

I use a cotton string soaked in stain and wrapped around the rod. Make sure the string does not have any stain "dripping off" I leave it on for two days to give the stain time to soak in.

 

[LME]

I use a cotton string soaked in stain and wrapped around the rod. Make sure the string does not have any stain "dripping off" I leave it on for two days to give the stain time to soak in.

I would be leary of using a string soaked in stain! One slip while wrapping the string around the rod and you would get stain where you don't want it? It would also elimate adjusting the string while trying to get a good looking spiral? I have never tried it but I really think it isn't the best way.