Ramrod question

[Scout]

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 ?   

[Longknife]

That burnt rope thing don't work worth a durn!!!!!!!! It is usually made by staining the ramrod.....Ed

[JB2]

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]

Oh yeah, and practice on something other than my only ramrod first!

[roamer]

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]

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

[Blacksmoke]

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

[ken]

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]

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.

[Longknife]

But how PC is this "barber pole" ramrod, was it used in the prior to the 20th century???........Ed

[Blacksmoke]

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

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

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 

[flintriflesmith]

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