Tapered ramrod tip advice

[Mike Lyons]

I’m planning to make my own ramrod tips.  I found some threads on the steel tips.  Are tapered brass tips made the same way?

[rich pierce]

I’m planning to make my own ramrod tips.  I found some threads on the steel tips.  Are tapered brass tips made the same way?

Simplest way to make from brass or steel is to bore out solid stock and taper it. I’ve not seen tapered brass tips that were made from sheet but I expect it could be done. Would have to use a silver solder.

[Mike Lyons]

Thanks Rich

[Clark Badgett]

Iron/steel tips would make more sense. Brass is not as strong and would look nasty after a couple of cleanings.

After Rich started the tapered iron tip topic there have been many ideas put forth, and I'm thinking even I could manage to eventually get them right

[Mike Lyons]

I don’t see many references to the old PA rifle tips.  I think an iron tapered tip would look odd one but,  who knows.  Some have the brass tip showing.  I’m not sure what is on the other end of the ramrods that are not showing.  I would think it would have to be a tapered tip of some sort.

[B.Barker]

Mike the old rifles that I've seen have iron tips even when the rifle has brass mounts. Many of the originals don't have old rammers on them now. But there are a few and the ones I've seen are iron for sure. You can't see it when it's in the rifle forearm so it's not an eye catcher.

[Mike Lyons]

Thanks Brian.

[B.Barker]

Mike do you ever come over to the Danville area? You could stop by and I could show you how I do it.

[Dan Fruth]

Page 123 of "Moravian Gunmaking 2" shows an iron tapered ramrod tip, that is threaded for cleaning tools. It does not describe its construction, whether it is iron sheet wrapped and brazed, or solid and drilled. I have never seen an original rod tip "up close and personal" to discover the fabrication technique.

[WKevinD]

Mike these tips are made from solid round stock drilled and tapped for 10/32. they taper from 5/16" to 1/4" a friend with a small lathe turned them for me. The standard brass 3/8" tip is shown for scale.
I make my ramrods from 7/16" hickory and taper to 5/16" and cut a concave "ball pocket" on the other end.

Kevin

[rich pierce]

Page 123 of "Moravian Gunmaking 2" shows an iron tapered ramrod tip, that is threaded for cleaning tools. It does not describe its construction, whether it is iron sheet wrapped and brazed, or solid and drilled. I have never seen an original rod tip "up close and personal" to discover the fabrication technique.

All I have seen in person or in books or online have been formed of iron sheet metal and brazed.

[Darrin McDonal]

I don’t see many references to the old PA rifle tips.  I think an iron tapered tip would look odd one but,  who knows.  Some have the brass tip showing.  I’m not sure what is on the other end of the ramrods that are not showing.  I would think it would have to be a tapered tip of some sort.

for the most part the only end that has a tip on it is the end that's inside the stock. Loading rods were always tapered as far as we can tell going off of The originals that are left. They were never made of brass. Some original rifle do have a brass tip on the end near the muzzle but they are basically a tube with a wood showing on the end. They are held in place with a tiny wedge driven straight in the end. There are a good number of original taper loading rods with the original tapered iron tips still on them. Some where threaded, some have a tiny worm on the end that goes into the stock permanently attached to the tapered tip. The original Battle of New Orleans rifle has the original rod with it and it has a very tiny tapered and threaded tip on the end. But just to clarify, the end that goes into the stock gets the tapered tip and it's always iron. I know, never say always but as far as I've ever seen they didn't have anything that looks like the modern muzzle end tips that are straight-sided and threaded for an attachment.
I hope that helps.
Darrin

[Mike Lyons]

Thanks Brian. I’ll make some time to go to Danville.