Author Topic: Ramrod question  (Read 5051 times)

Offline Scout

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Ramrod question
« on: February 28, 2011, 03:58:34 AM »
I have seen ramrods with a "Barber pole" effect on them. Is this a wood pattern like curly maple or is it a man made finish like the burnt rope effect I have read about ?   ???
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Offline Longknife

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2011, 04:02:03 AM »
That burnt rope thing don't work worth a durn!!!!!!!! It is usually made by staining the ramrod.....Ed
Ed Hamberg

JB2

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2011, 04:56:52 AM »
I used a propane torch, freehand.  Talk about a few tense moments, it was the only ramrod I had at the time!  If I ever do it again, I'll use the same torch, but I'd wrap tape around the rod in a spiral to act as a guide.

JB2

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2011, 04:57:38 AM »
Oh yeah, and practice on something other than my only ramrod first!

roamer

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2011, 06:20:09 AM »
Howdy ,the best and consistent results i've had is by using the flat tool on a wood burning electrical tool..What I did was to chuck the end of the ramrod into my Dads 1954 rebuilt Shopsmith.Supported the length in a made vblock. My son Nick slowly hand turned the chuck and concentrated on the depth and consistency

omark

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2011, 07:11:22 AM »
the only one i ever did i took a strip of leather probably 3/4 inch thick, wet it good in water, wrapped it on the rod, then used a torch. probably didnt need to wet it, but the leather was not burned and was reusable..             mark

Offline Blacksmoke

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2011, 08:45:32 AM »
I do the same as Mark but instead using leather I use a strip of 3/4" wide metal and thin enough to wrap easily.  Do not hold the torch on the wood too long - just enough to darken it a little.   Once it is finished I will submerge the rod in tung oil for a week or so - this will give it some bendabilty with out breaking.
Hugh Toenjes
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ken

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2011, 06:28:10 PM »
It can be done with masking tape, has to be at least two layers thick and use a propane torch. Has work for me in past . gives nice even lines.

geb324

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2011, 06:47:36 PM »
Use a propane torch start on one end keep the torch about 5 inches from the
ramrod rotate it and move forward no need to scorch it to deep
I move it continously with out stoping to the end slow and steady. Takes only a couple of minutes.
Sand the ramrod and stain and finish. Doesnt have to be perfect a maple stock
is not.

Offline Longknife

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2011, 07:02:16 PM »
But how PC is this "barber pole" ramrod, was it used in the prior to the 20th century?????????........Ed
Ed Hamberg

Offline Blacksmoke

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2011, 07:23:03 PM »
Ed:  I've seen quite a number of old original longrifles with the "barber pole" striping - however I cannot swear that the RR was not a replacement - but  most old Kentucky's that retain their original RR do not have the feature being discussed.  Just my observation,     Hugh Toenjes
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Offline Dr. Tim-Boone

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2011, 09:43:42 PM »
I don't know the facts but to me the barber poles look like they go with mid 1900 rifles that have all of thegaudy inlays, sharp pointed triggerguards  etc...... Just my taste 
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Offline flintriflesmith

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Re: Ramrod question
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2011, 11:26:19 PM »
But how PC is this "barber pole" ramrod, was it used in the prior to the 20th century?????????........Ed

I believe the conclusion often reached is that the stripped ramrods that survive are mostly very late 18th century or later. That doesn't mean they weren't around in 1780-90 but ... well that's just like everything else where we can only say what the earliest known examples are.

I wouldn't put one on a Rev War period rifle and expect it to be considered period correct.

Gary
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