Author Topic: Spiral burn on wooden ramrods? (Read 4529 times)

Dave R · « **on:** February 20, 2022, 06:30:26 PM »

A spiral burn performed on a wooden ramrod is that a PC thing or a process conjured up by contemporary builders circa 1950's to date?? $:-\$

Daryl · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2022, 08:54:26 PM »

That's an excellent question, one I've wondered myself.

RJD-VT · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2022, 09:11:45 PM »

Yup. Me too

RJD-VT · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2022, 09:45:36 PM »

I just flipped thru Henry Kauffman’s book and there was a few early guns with the spiral rr. But since ramrods have a short life expectancy in the wild it could have been replaced with a more recent one. I apprenticed for a maker in the ‘70’s who did that to all his builds. I just assumed it was hc. After all, what did I know, then or now.

okieboy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2022, 12:01:23 AM »

I have no opinion on historical correctness, but wonder why anyone going to the effort of building a rifle would want to make the ramrod the focal point of their work.

borderdogs · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2022, 12:51:53 AM »

I will hang out for the answer too I always wondered about that too.
Rob

45-110 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2022, 01:49:39 AM »

I did several stripe rods over the yrs. Yes you can gently burn the design in or use a black-very dark brown die. Smooth the rod very nice and use tape for the masking, then seal the rod. I think on some percussion half stocks it looks good if well done.

JTR · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2022, 01:57:20 AM »

I think the spiral thing is a modern twist. But then again, there's very few guns come down through time with the original stick. Those that I've seen that look like they might be original are just plain.
I've done a few with a spiral but never burned one. Just tape them up in a spiral, and use black or dark brown India ink for the color. A thin dark line doesn't distract the eye and adds a little something to an otherwise plain looking stick.

Ooops, Looks like I was typing about the same time as 45-110.

borderdogs · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2022, 02:12:43 AM »

For me I make the ramrod (I find making ramrods tedious) last and by then I sometimes feel ready to get on to something else so my ramrods are plain.
Rob

Leatherbark · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2022, 03:31:15 AM »

Seems I read once upon a time that old time gunsmiths used some kind of rope or a string wrapped around the rod and set on fire to burn the stripe in.

Bob

Frozen Run · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2022, 04:35:38 AM »

These guns weren't built in a vacuum so I'd look to find evidence of how common burning spirals into other objects were to find your answer. Spokes, handles, posts, stuff like that. I'm the furthest thing from an expert on this forum but the conversation of burnt spirals only ever appears to come up regarding ramrods so I have strong reservations regarding it being anything more than a novelty at best.

mountainman70 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2022, 05:06:23 AM »

I have used long shoe laces,cotton prefered, to do this. Also taped off with vinyl elect tape cut into 1/4 inch wide strips and wound on, and also the dye/stain method.
Burning it on puts off a lot of smoke that wears me out to do,I like the smell, just my copd dont care for it. The stain is as good.
I have used cloth clothsline rope too.
Have a great evening all. Dave F enjoying a shot of Cinnamon Schnapps.
Yummmm

Mule Brain · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2022, 07:18:33 AM »

I really see no point in it, I would rather spend my time on the gun itself.

If your shooting from a bag, that rod will need replaced at some point, as others have said.

WadePatton · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2022, 08:32:39 AM »

Someone once wrote that they had difficulty quickly locating a striped rod when dropped into the deep leaves of Fall in the hardwoods. I took note of that and never wanted one so camouflaged" for practical reasons.

P.W.Berkuta · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2022, 05:04:11 PM »

I personally don't think it is HC. To me it's more of a new time frame thing - late 50's - 60's let's say. I have done it on half stocked percussion guns but not on a flintlock.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #15 on:** February 21, 2022, 06:10:51 PM »

It started in the 1940's and 50's.

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #16 on:** February 21, 2022, 06:30:10 PM »

Didn't Wallace display a Sheetz rifle in one of the old JHAT articles (going by memory - I don't have them anymore) with original rammer that was spiraled?

I know I have seen a couple of rifles over the years with spiral rods that I am convinced were original. The caveats here are (1) they were all 19th century rifles, none that I would look upon as 18th century and (2) it clearly was not "burned" in, it always to me appeared to be aquafortis or comparable stain contrasting with unstained hickory.

One rifle was a Conrad Horn rifle that literally looked like it had been preserved in time since the day it was made and I frankly wonder if it had even been shot, ever. Another was a Samuel Baum in exceptional condition, and I know I've seen a few others here or there that I feel pretty sure - judging by the fittings on one or both ends - were original.

On the flip side, yes, how does one know *for certain* a rod is original?

Vulcan · « **Reply #17 on:** February 21, 2022, 07:19:51 PM »

One rifle comes to mind that you gents may be much more familiar with. Dick Toone had built a rifle about a decade ago based on a smoothbore in the H. Kels Swan collection. I'm not in any way familar with the gun, Toone mentions that there was evidence on the ramrod of spirals, so he incorporated it with his build.

He has his rifle on his website, however I've never seen pics. of the original.

Robby · « **Reply #18 on:** February 21, 2022, 08:39:02 PM »

Like the short starter, it is impossible that it could have been done before, um, lets' say, 1930.
Robby

Dave R · « **Reply #19 on:** February 21, 2022, 09:51:35 PM »

We appreciate all comments!!

THANKS!! 👍

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2022, 01:27:54 AM »

Quote from: Vulcan on February 21, 2022, 07:19:51 PM

One rifle comes to mind that you gents may be much more familiar with. Dick Toone had built a rifle about a decade ago based on a smoothbore in the H. Kels Swan collection. I'm not in any way familar with the gun, Toone mentions that there was evidence on the ramrod of spirals, so he incorporated it with his build.

He has his rifle on his website, however I've never seen pics. of the original.

Can you post a link to this? He published an article quite a while ago in MB about a rifle in the Swan collection which was being put forth as an early Angstadt by some, but frankly imho I feel pretty sure it's a German rifle and I sure don't think it was in any way any how any kind of Angstadt. Neat rifle, I just don't buy it as an American rifle. It was down at Washington Crossing at one point which is where I saw it.

dogcatcher · « **Reply #21 on:** February 22, 2022, 01:46:10 AM »

A man with a pocket knife and free time "might" have done anything when he was bored. I think that would explain that was the start of carving on gunstocks. The carved and inscribed powder horns? I am sure most would also agree that was the start of nicer powder horns. Did the gunsmiths do the carving on the stocks, I would guess probably not at first, I would guess that came after the customers saw other "folk art" carvings on gunstocks.

Spirals on ramrods??? I have nothing to prove them being historically correct, but knowing how man has "customized" his belongings for centuries, I would say it is highly probably.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #22 on:** February 22, 2022, 04:45:30 PM »

Quote from: dogcatcher on February 22, 2022, 01:46:10 AM

A man with a pocket knife and free time "might" have done anything when he was bored. I think that would explain that was the start of carving on gunstocks. The carved and inscribed powder horns? I am sure most would also agree that was the start of nicer powder horns. Did the gunsmiths do the carving on the stocks, I would guess probably not at first, I would guess that came after the customers saw other "folk art" carvings on gunstocks.

Spirals on ramrods??? I have nothing to prove them being historically correct, but knowing how man has "customized" his belongings for centuries, I would say it is highly probably.

Pure myth.

yellowhousejake · « **Reply #23 on:** February 22, 2022, 06:30:05 PM »

Quote from: dogcatcher on February 22, 2022, 01:46:10 AM

A man with a pocket knife and free time "might" have done anything when he was bored. I think that would explain that was the start of carving on gunstocks. The carved and inscribed powder horns? I am sure most would also agree that was the start of nicer powder horns. Did the gunsmiths do the carving on the stocks, I would guess probably not at first, I would guess that came after the customers saw other "folk art" carvings on gunstocks.

Spirals on ramrods??? I have nothing to prove them being historically correct, but knowing how man has "customized" his belongings for centuries, I would say it is highly probably.

I know nothing of spiraling ramrods, but carving and decoration of gun stocks and powder horns began centuries earlier in Europe, where the early colonial gunsmiths were trained. It was not new.

DAve

Vulcan · « **Reply #24 on:** February 22, 2022, 07:19:10 PM »

http://www.livinghistoryshop.com/

[/quote]Can you post a link to this? He published an article quite a while ago in MB about a rifle in the Swan collection which was being put forth as an early Angstadt by some, but frankly imho I feel pretty sure it's a German rifle and I sure don't think it was in any way any how any kind of Angstadt. Neat rifle, I just don't buy it as an American rifle. It was down at Washington Crossing at one point which is where I saw it.
[/quote]

Link is up top. Just scroll down and you'll see the one he had for sale.

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Author Topic: Spiral burn on wooden ramrods? (Read 4529 times)

Vulcan

Vulcan