Picks?

[Pukka Bundook]

Old Colonel Hawker recommended a piece of copper wire poked into your coat for use as a touchhole pick.
He said if you fall on it, it won't run you through.  Sounds as good as anything and won't hurt the gun.

[WadePatton]

... I am not sure why the disbelief that metal picks could have existed.
Best wishes, Marc

You might not have referencing my post, but in any case-I have no disbelief, was just dating Cu in TN from TN.  No idea how much copper was already in use in the state/region, but expect that it was somewhat less.

Personally I would never use iron or steel though, nothing to do with history.

[Jerry V Lape]

Endless supply of picks in AZ.  They grow all over the place.  Usually have one or more very handy protruding from my boots or shins.  Just take out my leatherman pliers and pluck one as needed. 

[heinz]

I have used mild steel picks for 50 years of flint shooting and never torn up a touchhole with one.  I have had powder/flash errosion require a touch hole be replaced.  I think damaging the touch hole with the pick would take some pretty vigorous and probably careless use of the vent pick or priming wire.  Has anyone here ever worn out their touch hole with a steel pick?  I guess I should mention that I favor larger touch holes as that may have some bearing on the discussion. I consider a touch hole worn out when it starts to allow self-priming while you are loading :-)

[Smokey Plainsman]

So copper wires ARE in face historically correct/period correct?

Incredible!!

I have access to copper wiring of various styles and sizes. Interesting!!

[smokinbuck]

Pukka,
When you talk about common sense you have to remember that we're talking about the government at work.
Mark

[Pukka Bundook]

Smokey,

Re copper wire,  Colonel Hawker wrote his first edition in I believe 1816, and my copy is the reprinted 7th edition of 1833.

I do not know if the copper wire was mentioned in the first edition or not.

Here is what he says, regarding the shooting waistcoat, Page 129 on "The Shooter's dress", ;

".....................A small side-pocket above the left breast is handy for wadding,  (Indeed it is!)  which may be got at with forefinger and thumb without taking off your glove; as (by the way)keeping the hands warm in frosty weather is a matter of necessity in shooting.
    I shall recommend a little bit of  COPPER WIRE fastened either to the lower button, or to the shot belt, which is always ready as a gunpicker; will never rust, will not injure the platina of the touchhole; and, if you fall, will bend, instead of running into you.
This, if bent to a  right angle, does very well too for a probe for the nipples of detonators".

The "copper wire" in capitals is mine to make it show up.

Earlier in the book, he does say a stiff feather cut short makes a very good probe for the. touchhole.

Best,
Meself.

Smokin buck, LOL!

[Marcruger]

I find it interesting that he mentions wire won’t into you if you fall.  In an age of no antibiotics, that was no small point.
Thank you for sharing that.  God bless, Marc

[Pukka Bundook]

Mark,

I am not sure the good Colonel would care too greatly about getting stuck with a touchhole pick.  He had received a very severe  sabre wound to his thigh in the battle of Talavera in the Peninsula War, and it bothered him the rest of his life. 
However, falling Was a common fact, for  when "charging the coveys" (as he put it ), jumping off a galloping horse without stopping  to get your shots in, was quite often the order of the day.
It was a very robust, rough and tumble time in sporting circles. 
In the back of the book, are a list of treatments for man and dog, and the dear chap was always quacking himself up with various concoctions!
I don't recall if a treatment for being stuck with a touchhole pick was mentioned though! 
Brandy was a common treatment for small injuries, both topical and ingested. :-)

Best,
R.

[Marcruger]

"Brandy was a common treatment for small injuries, both topical and ingested. :-)"

Hah!  You know, I'll bet it worked to disinfect and pain kill.  Well played. 

[smokinbuck]

I can identify with the brandy. It numbs pain, makes cloudy days brighter and helps one to fall asleep among other things. My recomendation is to take it regularly to prevent such occurances  as these and others that are yet to befall us.
Mark