Steel rod required

[BigDeutscher]

I would like to convert both my Bess and Cookson to Steel Ram Rods
I will convert as they did.by adding a spring to hold the Rod in place.
Any ideas on how it was done by the British?
Any ideas on how to convert the Cookson?
And who can make me a 51 inch button head Ram rod?
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[JV Puleo]

My original Long Land Pattern had a flat spring riveted to the inside of the entry pipe. It was slightly arched so that the front end touched the inside of the pipe. When the ramrod entered, it would not catch but would flatten the spring slightly. The rivet was iron and barely visible. It was countersunk and the head filed flush with the tail of the entry pipe

 

[satwel]

JV Puleo is correct. A flat retaining spring was riveted inside the entry pipe to exert pressure on the steel ramrod. The spring extended inside the ramrod channel. The springs were not very robust and often broke. Also, a bushing was inserted into the first ramrod pipe to reduce its inside diameter and silver soldered in place.

The Rifle Shoppe probably sells a steel ramrod for the Long Land Pattern musket.

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Excellent post Joe.

 

[BigDeutscher]

Are you able to do a scetch of how it looked?
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[BigDeutscher]

The rifle shop does not offer the steel R/R for a long land, at least I cant find it
They mention a brass nose cap on org's but do
List one of those
No R/R retaining spring ??????
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[BigDeutscher]

Who is the go to guy for a custom steel Ram Rod for these Guns?
Any real blacksmiths/gunsmiths out there?
I need a button type for the Bess 46 inches long
I also need one for the Cookson 51 inches long
trumpet type .
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[Roy]

anyone with a lathe can make one for you.. any machine shops around you?? The steel rammers that can be bought (that I have seen different vendors carry) are usually two parts. Roughly a 5/16" rod and an applied button tip. :v

 

[BigDeutscher]

Are you saying I should have a 2 piece one made? Or take oversized stock, and turn it down to shape and size?
What kind of steel should be used ...Spring ...cold rolled?
We have machine shops
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[jsn]

Personaly I would want a solid piece......but It could be more expensive at that point.......

 

[BigDeutscher]

Do you think it would be more than $50
I want 1 piece rods also
I am going to shoot these guns for years to come.
If it costs $100 to get steel rods for these I am game. I think 40 dollars a piece is fare.
Now who out there ,will make them for me?
2 piece is O.K. if you cant tell its 2 pieces
And it does not come apart or break
Button for Bess
Trumpit for Cookson
Any body got turning skills?
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[Roy]

cold rolled will work great.. just have the flared part made seperate and sweated onto the rod.

 

[Cheyenne]

TRS has the ramrod...you want the one for the 1756 Long Land....part# 549RR $ 49.95

According to Bailey's Small Arms of the British Forces in America, they also used a bushing in the front pipe and a spring in the entry pipe on the 1730/40 and 1742 muskets converted to use the steel ramrod.

Understand your India rod broke, but getting a 48" hickory rod is fairly easy and will assuredly be a better rod.....but converting to a steel rammer is HC....now, on the Cookson, well that'd be a bit different.

Have you contacted VA and asked about a steel RR?

 

[JV Puleo]

The original ramrods were made in two pieces... a steel rod with an iron head. The 18th century had no way of turning a thin rod that long. The steel part may have been forged but it could also have been drawn... draw benches go back to at least the middle ages. A one piece ramrod would be completely wrong.

 

[BigDeutscher]

Was it not required? to have a steel or iron Ram Rod while serving in the militia.
I will be doing F&I and Rev War with the Cookson
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[BigDeutscher]

Thank you
All this Info we get here .Is very Helpfull in saveing money, and still doing it right.Two piece it is!
Now a quest for Steel..........
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[BigDeutscher]

Mr Hern
I was told that you , could supply the Rods.
Is this True?
If so, I would like to place an order ASAP
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[Va.Manuf.06]

No B.D., I'm sorry, I can't. But I do agree with Cheyenne, the best source will be The Rifle Shoppe, their 1756 Long Land Pattern ramrod will be fine. It will be a two piece rod as will all other reproduction rods but properly assembled the two piece rods can be relied on.

 

[Roy]

The original ramrods were made in two pieces... a steel rod with an iron head. The 18th century had no way of turning a thin rod that long. The steel part may have been forged but it could also have been drawn... draw benches go back to at least the middle ages. A one piece ramrod would be completely wrong.

Good info :thumbsup: I was thinking that they were originally two pieces, but I wasn't totally sure.

 

[BigDeutscher]

thanks
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