AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Avlrc on January 15, 2014, 08:00:29 AM

Title: "Prayer Holes"
Post by: Avlrc on January 15, 2014, 08:00:29 AM

Dennis brought up "prayer holes" in another thread, but I think it got overlooked. I have a question about them also. Are "prayer holes" only found inside the patch box cavity, or can the  holes found in the toe area on some rifles, also  be used as "prayer holes"? More specifically,  have there ever been a prayer/scripture found   in the toe area holes? I mean one that was put there a long time ago.  My understanding the holes found in the toe area , are for a feather.

Title: Re: "Prayer Holes"
Post by: Don Stith on January 15, 2014, 05:07:40 PM

I have found jags for the ramrod in the holes that extend up under the finial in the patchbox.
 I suspect that was the original purpose of the hole.

Title: Re: "Prayer Holes"
Post by: Avlrc on January 15, 2014, 06:41:31 PM

That makes sense.

Title: Re: "Prayer Holes"
Post by: jdm on January 15, 2014, 11:35:15 PM

I'm with Don on this one. I have a Rupp ,old ram rod, metal tip. The jag screws on to the ram rod. When not in use fits nicely up in the hole in the patch box.

Title: Re: "Prayer Holes"
Post by: Hungry Horse on January 17, 2014, 06:33:11 AM

Just the term "prayer hole" sounds like a 20th century phrase for "I don't know what the heck it is" So I'll call it a prayer hole. I've never heard this term.

                      Hungry Horse