tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093666650139166859.post8178726288318993626..comments2024-03-26T20:00:38.042-07:00Comments on A Woodsrunner's Diary: Identification Please. Hole in muzzle-loader gun stock.Keithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12562001301604097606noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093666650139166859.post-72830482650951900822016-12-19T12:11:45.614-08:002016-12-19T12:11:45.614-08:00Keith, thank you for posting this question for me....Keith, thank you for posting this question for me. I just received the following information from a contemporary gun maker:<br /><br />"You are correct in that the hole was intended to hold a feather. The feather was used to stick into the touch-hole of the barrel in rainy weather to prevent water from fouling the charge. It was typically just a friction fit in the hole on the lower side of the buttstock. Since the feature is tapered, it tightened as it was pushed in. I hope this helps.<br /><br />I've seen this a lot on original rifles. I've even owned a few with this feature. Keep in mind that this is not a full length feather like you would get from a hawk, goose, etc. The plume is usually just a few inches long a just lays over if it brushes against something."<br /><br />I also found a photo that depicts the use here:<br /><br />http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2008/03/jack-duprey-soddy-daisy-gun.html<br /><br />Regards,<br />ScottScott Hitchcockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09936248565194458324noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093666650139166859.post-1620556337135432562016-12-19T05:33:41.573-08:002016-12-19T05:33:41.573-08:00Feather for touch holeFeather for touch holeDexhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15385440324538152115noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093666650139166859.post-43584238349485858892016-12-15T15:06:39.914-08:002016-12-15T15:06:39.914-08:00I had put that down to a design, but you could be ...I had put that down to a design, but you could be right Gorges!<br />Keith.Keithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12562001301604097606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6093666650139166859.post-20123498938912591392016-12-15T15:02:03.335-08:002016-12-15T15:02:03.335-08:00From the wear on the top escutcheon, it appears th...From the wear on the top escutcheon, it appears that whatever was there had four "vanes."Gorges Smythehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08777621500611603786noreply@blogger.com