Sealing off a barrel

[Homesteader]

Paul, Sir, your post is interesting to me. (They all are, but this one particularly so.)

I stumbled across a great deal on a used Bess some time ago, along with quite a few accessories. One of those was a wooden tompion with a sort of acorn handle (outside the barrel) and a four-piece springy bit of longer wood that fits into the barrel. No leather, no felt, no rubber. It's beautifully tapered.

I could throw off a bayonet or the ram-rod before loosening it from the barrel, and there's zero chance of bringing it to firing position without seeing that it's there obstructing the target. All in all a very well-made piece. (Perhaps custom. The original owner, I'm told, was a life-long shooter / reenactor who simply got too old to do it anymore. I believe he put it all for sale at such a low price to ensure it'd go to someone who'd really love it. It was at a modern gun-shop. Pure luck on my part.)

Don't know that it means anything; just thought it'd be worth mentioning. That's why I asked about the tompion in the first place.

 

[paulvallandigham]

YOu are too modest. I used to think I was fulll of useless information, otherwise known as B.S., but after answering so many quesitions here, and on another forum, I find that I am a " Font" of wisdom instead. Getting old has it perks. ( FINALLY !)

 

[RonT]

I'll most likely have to remove them when I load up... :winking: I store all of my long guns muzzle down, and the additionof these tampions, maybe with a felt washer added makes good sense.
How much West of C'burg?
R

 

[walruskid1]

Ron T., just west of cleveland, in the 'burbs.