striping a ramrod

[David Snellen]

Gentlemen,
I hope I am posting this in the right area. Also, I am sure this was covered somewhere, but I don't know how to access it...

I looked on you tube concerning striping ramrods, but BELIEVE me, it wasn't what I needed or wanted to know about!!

Can someone suggest the best way to stripe a hickory rammer and finish it so it is flexes well?
Also- aren't originals typically post 1830?
Thank you,
David

 

[ZUG]

This might not be what you want but this is how I do mine when I do it;
Finish sanding/scrapping to size
Light my hardware store propane bottle and adjust to a low flame
Start at one end and twist the rod between the fingers & thumb while pointing the flame at the rod and moving the flame down (or up) along the rod
This is all done by eye - time involved is about 1.5 minutes
Steel wool the rod and any overly scorched spots with 4/0 then apply a paste wax - that's it :wink:
If the hickory rod is a straight grain piece of wood it will be flexable as it will get - the old wife's tale of soaking the rod in coal oil is all :bull: :bull: - it will just make your rod stink of coal oil

 

[Rifleman1776]

Striping is a matter of taste. Some like it. To others it is :barf: .
But, back when I liked it :redface: I did with the propane bit but found a simple candle flame was easier to control.
This is a do yer own thang game. Stripe away if that suits yer taste.

 

[David Snellen]

Gentlemen,
I appreciate your ideas. Was it more of a post 1830's idea?
Thank you, David

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Many would agree that "candy cane" ramrods are from c. 1970. :haha:

 

[ZUG]

You maybe correct -- don't know but back then it looked cool - I still do it on some . I don't like the close twist look I space mine far apart -- never counted the twist rate but maybe 7 turns in 42" :hmm: .

 

[omarick1948]

I think that this was the idea of Turner Kirkland, founder of Dixie Gun Works. He said the "old timers" striped their ram rods in a twist in accordance to the barrel twist of the rifle it was intended for. _____ Makes a good story any way!
:bull: ..Or not.. :bull:

 

[Birddog6]

That is correct. He also started that " soakin a RR in coal oil, like the ol' mountain men did". B.S. And just thought it was Hilarious that people took it & ran with the story !! :rotf: :rotf:

Keith Lisle

 

[Birddog6]

I call that a " Hollywood Ramrod ". I did a couple ? 30+ years ago. Then immediately sanded it all off. :grin:

But anyway, if ya want it all even, take a old bed sheet & tear a long strip bout 2-3" wide, fold it to the width of the spacing you want the light stripe to be. Soak it in water & tie the folded end of sheet to one end of the RR with balling wire. Turn the rod & wrap the strip around the rod as you want it. Tie the other end. Now take a propane torch & scorch the exposed wood. Unwrap it, sand or steel woole it & apply some TruOil or Permalyn to seal it a couple coats, hand rubbed in each time ti dry, & very light steel wool in between coats.

Keith Lisle

 

[nhmoose]

That is correct. He also started that " soakin a RR in coal oil, like the ol' mountain men did".

Long time go I sucked into that until the first time it was used! It no workee!

 

[tenngun]

I like it my self on a rifle gun. I think it's earlier then 1970 but I doubt it predates 1800. I simply sand lift grain and sand again. Twist some masking tape around then use a dark stain to make the stripes remove and oil the wood with Linseed oil. That won't make it more flexible or less likely to break, but does protect the wood. It is just a matter of taste and lot of oldtimers might look askance at you.... But I think it looks good. I don't think it was ever any thing more then a novelty

 

[David Snellen]

Gentlemen,
Thank you for your help. You have now convinced me to simply stain and oil the rod. I like the look of the stripe, but in striving for general "common" looks of the 1830-65, safe is better! Thank you all again,
David

 

[omarick1948]

That is correct. He also started that " soakin a RR in coal oil, like the ol' mountain men did". B.S. And just thought it was Hilarious that people took it & ran with the story !! :rotf: :rotf:

Keith Lisle

Let's not forget the world famous Twisted powder horn strap staples. I get people who want them on a custom PC/HC style powder horn they order and I tell them that I have never seen one on any of the old original powder horns I have been lucky enough to hold or examine and think they probably are a contemporary thing. I also mention that when the horn strap is attached to either the horn the base plug or throat/neck of a powder horn, you can't see it anyway and that twist adds in some regard as speeding up wear on the strap.

About 50% of those customers say "REALLY"!..And want it anyway. ............. :rotf:

 

[Rifleman1776]

About 50% of those customers say "REALLY"!..And want it anyway

REALLY??? :grin:

 

[mooman76]

Gentlemen,
Thank you for your help. You have now convinced me to simply stain and oil the rod. I like the look of the stripe, but in striving for general "common" looks of the 1830-65, safe is better! Thank you all again,
David

So make one of each. :grin:

 

[Alden]

Horner;
What is a "twisted" staple?

As for striped ramrods, I have a gun that has one and it really looks so silly to me but that's what the maker wanted to do...

 

[Artificer]

Back in the 1960's, I saw some striped ramrods that had real age patina on them, the kind you can't fake. However, they were all on really plain post UnCivil War rifles and possibly rifles that were post 1900. Maybe the striping was a way to "fancy up" a really plain gun? Who knows?

Horner,
Thanks for the confirmation on twisted staples causing more wear on the leather powder horn strap. I thought that would be true, but did not have experience to back it up. I've never used a twisted staple on a powder horn base plug, because like you, I never heard of documentation it was used in the period.

Gus

 

[Billnpatti]

I have one rifle that has a striped ram rod. It is a reproduction H&A buggy rifle that I made from various parts. I striped my ram rod for two main reasons. First, I wanted it that way and second, because I could do it. I used a version of Keith Lisle's method but I wrapped my rod with an aluminum foil strip and scorched the wood with a propane torch. Because of my concern for historical correctness, I used H/C aluminum foil and an H/C propane torch. :rotf:

 

[ZUG]

Good -- glad to see you used the HC / PC way of doing these things - never know when the HC / PC police are listening :idunno: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[Claude Mathis]

What is a "twisted" staple?

Literally...