Antler ramrod tip.

[Rt5403]

So thinking of doing a little personalized touches to my Jim chambers new England Fowler kit. I am thinking of making a tapered tip for my ramrod out of whitetail antler. Anyone have any adi e or photos of this process? Also I don't have a lathe so any tips would be great.

[Daniel Coats]

It's possible to do some rough shaping by hand and then chuck it up in your drill press and use that as a lathe. You'll want to wear a mask or at least a well ventilated area because it stinks to high heaven.

[Mike Brooks]

Anything white on a gun looks like caca dooey. You will occasionally find horrific things like that on germanic guns. Black horn would be a better option.

[Rt5403]

I thought about that and also thought about using buffalo horn.

[Mike Brooks]

I thought about that and also thought about using buffalo horn.

Any kind of horn anything is quite rare on american made guns back in the day. But, we're not "back in the day" anymore either.

[RonT]

Here's a couple that I made.  I ground a 3/8" bit to ~5* (wood arrow nock taper) then used a nock tapering tool to taper the ramrod.  Made lots (!) of footed arra's using this method.
Horn is better than antler (see porous White tip), exotic wood good also.
Cheers,
R

[Rt5403]

I thought about that and also thought about using buffalo horn.

Any kind of horn anything is quite rare on american made guns back in the day. But, we're not "back in the day" anymore either.

 Any instances of fowlers having any kind of a top for cleaning jags on originals?

[Mike Brooks]

Usually a worm on the lower end of the rod. Many times a brass, steel or silver tulip tip on the upper end. occasionally horn.

[Rt5403]

Usually a worm on the lower end of the rod. Many times a brass, steel or silver tulip tip on the upper end. occasionally horn.

Would a brass Bess tip be more appropriate?

[RonT]

OK, how about a simple Brass ring?
 Cheers,
R

[hanshi]

I've done several antler-tipped rods and they definitely look different & nice.  I have never used one on a gun when going into the bush but have occasionally taken them to the range.

I carved the basic shape with hand files and a knife.  Next I reduced the tip of the rod and drilled a hole in the antler to fit.  The rest of the shaping was basically done on a two wheel grinder and finished smooth with sandpaper.  I glued them on and normally would carefully pin them.
I made this one for my smoothbore.

Here's one on the third rifle from the left.