Why square or round patches ???

[redwing]

Used a round punch. What was the patch box used for? What was the grease hole in the stock used for. I don't think everyone used patch knives and spit patches. Many of the rifles had a patch box just big enough for a cut patch.

 

[Claude Mathis]

If you have a loading block, load a ball and cut the patch as you would at the muzzle then push it thru and examine the shape of the patch.

That's the way I do it. Produces a mostly square patch with rounded corners. :rotf:

Yep. Cutting at the muzzle (loading block) does not produce a round patch. Why? The fabric is folded when it is pushed into the muzzle. It does not "mold" around the ball.

 

[longcruise]

Used a round punch. What was the patch box used for? What was the grease hole in the stock used for. I don't think everyone used patch knives and spit patches. Many of the rifles had a patch box just big enough for a cut patch.

That's been the line of my thinking too, but then I also got thinking "how did they come to be called patch box"? Is this later terminology or was that term used at the time those rifles were contemporary to?

I find patch boxes to be useless for all but infrequently used tools such as a nipple wrench, lost patch retreiver, etc. And even those end up in the shooting bag most of the time. Then there are all of those long narrow patch boxes. What went into them?

It would seem the round grease hole could be used to grease a round or square patch?

Maybe one of knowledgeable expert historians can shed some light?

 

[bwhoffman]

I find patch boxes to be useless for all but infrequently used tools such as a nipple wrench, lost patch retreiver, etc. And even those end up in the shooting bag most of the time. Then there are all of those long narrow patch boxes. What went into them?

Doing trail walks, we tend to take all that we might need with, or know that others will be there for our rescue and assistance, its the nature of "our thing".
ONE item that will put you our of the game, and probly an item others wont have for you, is a spare nipple that FITS your gun! mine is wrapped in a greased cleaning patch, and placed in that useless patch box in the stock that I cant get open anyway!
most of us carry tools, flinters have flint wallets, when was the last time you saw a nipple wallet :hmm:

 

[fw707]

He had a smiley face at the end of his post -- I think he was joking there. Mine are also round when I retrieve them.

CS

Yep, I was joking too.
No offense intended. :grin:

 

[roundball]

This talk of patchboxes is a timely one.

TC Hawkens have pretty brass patchboxes built in with an interior that is basically round...leading me to believe TC either intended it really as decoration or for precut round patches.

Of all the TC Hawkens I've owned & used since the early 90's, I have NEVER carried anything in them...always had some sort of possibles bag with me when hunting, and don't need a patch box at the range.

BUT...thinking about the upcoming Labor Day Dove shoot, and not wanting to carry anything more than I have to out into a hot field...I'll go ahead and use that patchbox for the first time ever...spare flint, jag, puller, and patch retriever.

(hope this brief comment doesn't constitute hijacking a thread)

 

[CrackStock]

RB,

I always referred to those as cap boxes. I kept a spare nipple, some caps and a patched round ball in there when deer hunting. Saved one hunt for me.

However, I have nothing in my much larger patch box on my flint Lancaster.

CS