My Homemade Starter

[Smokey Plainsman]

Guys I decided to make a period ball starter based on an original found in a shooting pouch from the plains rifle era. This starter can be seen in Charles E. Hanson Jr.’s book, The Plains Rifle. It’s of a simple design:



The handle is from a 1” hardwood dowel from Home Depot. The tips are of good 3/8” hickory dowels and have been cupped for a roundball and fire hardened for strength. I finished with some Fiebing’s leather dye and TruOil. I made this for my .40 caliber halfstock percussion rifle and it should make a great addition to my pouch.

Just thought I’d share, gang!

-Smokey

[msellers]

That looks very nice, should serve you well.
Mike

[MuskratMike]

Nothing looks better than a "homemade" anything. Here is the type The "Muskrat" uses.
I actually like yours better but this and the others like it have served me well for years.

[WadePatton]

Mine uses brass as Mike's does, but has a round section of bodock for the handle (the shaft is hickory from broken packer). It ALSO has a shallow hole, a dimple, in the bodock for that last whack on the packing stick for uniform compression of the load.  Daryl sold me on that idea.

SO when they are so equipped and used they could be called starter/finishers! 

[smylee grouch]

One thing to consider is the diameter of the short rod. You don't want it so large that it pinches the patch material when you push the ball down or when you with draw it.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

...and I'd file off the rim of the cartridge case on the 'rat's starter.  That can catch the patch as it folds into the bore and make it awkward to remove.

[MuskratMike]

...and I did just after I made it for that reason. Good eye by the way.

[Kevin]

Smokey,

Looks good.  This shooting hobby certainly leads to associated activities involving wood, horn, and various metals.

Kevin

[Smokey Plainsman]

Here is the starter with my rifle guys:



Some of the time was coming off (left on too long) so I removed the excess with some denatured alcohol. Left the surface a little plain so I used a burner to lightly “toast” spots to give a nice interesting aged look, and knocked it back with bronze wool. Some paste wax shined it up and I love the way it looks now.

[thecapgunkid]

The simplicity is half the appeal.  Nice.

[trentOH]

SO when they are so equipped and used they could be called starter/finishers!

Or Jesus sticks. You know, Alpha and Omega.

[sa_handforged]

I like it !

[Smokey Plainsman]

I like it !

Thanks!

[Daryl]

Smokey- that starter should work just fine, for you, along with all your other accouterments.