Tip on ramrod

[DFHicks]

First of all thanks to everyone for the replies to my questions over the last few months on engraving.  I would still be dead in the water without all of the sharing of knowledge and pointers.
My question today:
A friend of mine recently bought a half stock .32 caliber supposedly original rifle.  The ramrod is broken & about 6" short.  He has asked me to make a replacement rod.  The ramrod pipes are 5/16" so it should be relatively easy to do.  What I am not sure of is would this rifle have had the type of ramrod tip so commonly sold now?  I understand the large bore early flintlocks had a club shaped RR end for loading.
Maybe a stretch as a question for this forum but it might be of interest to other neophyte new rifle builders.
Thanks _ DF

[TMerkley]

I would like to know as well.  If someone has some pictures it would be great, as I make my own as well.

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Darrin McDonal   Makes some very nice tapered tips with a nut in the tip for attaching 8/32 or 10/32 assorted tools

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=14341.0

I am not sure when the parallel sided tips first began to show up.........  may depend on the gun and where it was made too

[Acer Saccharum]

I make my tips out of rolled sheet steel, with an 8-32 nut brazed in at the end.

I shape the rod to have a flared tulip at the other end.

Invaluable tool for tapering a ramrod: http://thosmachine.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/ramrod-scraper/

..........another shameless plug

[Long Ears]

Acer, I have to admit your rod scrapper is an amazing too. I use it all the time. I just wish I had bought a couple of more my 3/8 groove is getting dull! Maybe I can sharpen it. Bob

[Eric Smith]

Acer, what do you recomend as a good way to sharpen your ramrod tool?

[rich pierce]

Stone the flat side.

[Acer Saccharum]

Yep, stone or belt sand the flat side.

[DFHicks]

Thanks for the information, especially the pictures.  I will make the tip from some sheet steel I have on hand.  Brazing the seam on this small size should be easy with a Mapp torch.
DF

[Acer Saccharum]

Dr. Tim, I think the parallel sided tip probably came about when precision rolled stock and the screw-machine were fully developed. I would guess Dixie Gun Works invented it!

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

 

[Pete G.]

Dr. Tim, I think the parallel sided tip probably came about when precision rolled stock and the screw-machine were fully developed. I would guess Dixie Gun Works invented it!

Was that about the same time they started soaking the rod in coal oil ?

[DB]

I make my tips out of rolled sheet steel, with an 8-32 nut brazed in at the end.

I shape the rod to have a flared tulip at the other end.

Invaluable tool for tapering a ramrod: http://thosmachine.wordpress.com/2009/07/19/ramrod-scraper/

..........another shameless plug

How do you make a tulip head on a ramrod.

[Acer Saccharum]

Rough plane and/or rasp the length of the rod, EXCEPT for the tulip. Scrape the whole thing down, working WITH the grain. You may have to reverse the rod when the grain changes direction, and gently rasp/plane out any steps you accidently developed.

[DB]

So I assume you make yours from hickory splits instead of commercially available hickory ramrod. Thanks.  Ilie the look. It,s mostly early period I think.

[Acer Saccharum]

No, I use 1/2 hickory dowels for almost all my rods.

[Eric Smith]

Glad to see your post. I like those tulip shaped ramrods myself. Now I know where to start. They would look real good on a contemporary Berks Cty. rifle, I think.