A Woodsrunner's Diary: smoothbores

Showing posts with label smoothbores. Show all posts

Sunday, 16 February 2020

Of The Recoil. Shooter's Guide 1816 Edition.

William Tylee Ranney (American genre artist, 1813-1857) Duck Hunters on the Hoboken, NJ Marshes 1849

Thursday, 3 January 2019

A Forum for 18th Century Enthusiasts, Living Historians & Woodsrunners.

http://neclhg.freeforums.net/

Friday, 16 November 2018

A Few Words About Smoothbores.

In the 18th century smoothbores did NOT use a patched ball, the ball was loaded in the same way as using shot, with wads or wadding.

An Essay On Shooting 1789.

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Antique Gun Auction Australia.

Australian Arms Auctions P/L, Melbourne Australia wish to advise that our next auction, No.48, will be conducted at a NEW VENUE on:-

Date: Sunday 7th May 2017 at 10.00 am

Viewing: Saturday 12 noon until 5 pm & Sunday 8 am until 10 am, auction start.

Venue: Veneto Club – Basketball Stadium. 191 Bulleen Road Bulleen 3105 Melways 32 9-D

Excellent onsite parking facilities. Club restaurant & café available.

For those of you who have expressed an interest in submitting items for our May auction, please be advised that we are still accepting items. Please contact us for further information ASAP.

A “catalogue online” advice will be sent to you in early April when it’s available to view online.

We thank you for past interest/purchases & we look forward to servicing your enquiries or bids for our up & coming auction.

Regards,

Cheryl Martyn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Australian Arms Auctions Pty Ltd

P.O. Box 1142 Doncaster East Vic 3109

Roland Martyn (61) 0428 54 33 77

Cheryl Martyn - Admin: (61) 03 9848 7951

Fax: (61) 03 9840 7944

www.australianarmsauctions.com

email: admin@australianarmsauctions.com

NO LICENCE REQUIRED TO PURCHASE ANTIQUE FIREARMS

Tuesday, 11 October 2016

Ramrods.

The ramrod seems to be the most forgotten part of an 18th century gun when it comes to looking for information. One would think that such an important tool would receive more attention. I have noted over the years that all ramrods, original antique & modern, are always too short to be of any practicle use. When I came to make a new ramrod for my fusil, I made it out of steel & I made it longer than the barrel. Secured in the ramrod pipes under the barrel it sticks out beyond the muzzle, but with a round ball it makes no difference to the accuracy.

This is the other end of my fusil's ramrod, the end which fits through the ramrod pipes. I forged a worm on the end for cleaning the barrel.

This is the screw tip to my fusil's steel ramrod. When removed, I can screw on a "screw" tip for pulling a load.

As you can see in this image, the ramrod I made extends beyond the muzzle. This gives me a little more rod to hold when loading.

The new wooden ramrod I made for my pistol has an antler tip.

The only information available for these ramrods is that they are English.

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=13862.0

The only information available for these ramrods is that they are English.

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?action=printpage;topic=13862.0

Ramrod or cleaning rod screw ends. No dates or any other information available.

http://www.finesportingcollectablesltd.co.uk/parts.htm;

Ramrod or cleaning rod worm ends. No dates or any other information available.

http://www.finesportingcollectablesltd.co.uk/parts.htm;

Flintlock blunderbuss by GE Kope Wangen, circa 1750.

As you can see on this example the ramrod does not reach beyond the muzzle.

The first (top) ramrod is flared and is from a Double Barrel 12 Gauge Side by Side Percussion Shotgun made by SCOTT & Co. LONDON in the 1830's. The second ramrod has a brass tip and is from a Single Barrel 12 Gauge Percussion Shotgun having the Black Powder Belgium Liege Proof Mark of the 1830's.

http://sparetimeactivities.net/Ramrod.htm;

As you can see in this image of my fusil, & the .32 caliber rifle below, the ramrods extend beyond the muzzle.

More information on ramrods & loading rods here: http://www.cablesfarm.co.uk/ramrods-and-loading-rods/#more-1442

Sunday, 20 March 2016

Ballistics of 17th Century Muskets PDF.

https://core.ac.uk/download/files/23/139707.pdf

Wednesday, 9 March 2016

Muzzle-Loader Choices. Rifle or Smoothbore. VIDEOS.

Tuesday, 14 October 2014

More on Period Gun Gauges.

This list taken from Indian Trade Guns, By Pioneer Press.

Settlers.

"I noticed particularly, one family of about 12 in number. The man
carried an axe and a gun on his shoulders. The Wife, the rim of a spinning
wheel in one hand, and a loaf of bread in the other. Several little boys and
girls, each with a bundle, according to their size Two poor horses, each
heavily loaded with some poor necessities. On the top of the baggage of one,
was an infant rocked to sleep in a kind of wicker cage, lashed securely to the
horse. A cow formed one of the company ,and she was destined to bear her
proportion of service - a bed cord was wound around her horns and a bag of meal
on her back. They were not only patient, but cheerful and pleased with
themselves with the expectation of seeing happy days beyond the mountains"
Diary of Presbyterian Rev. David McClure.
18th century.

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What is Living History?

What is Living History?
Living history makes history come to life. To do this members emulate different sorts of people from history. These can include blacksmiths, seamstresses, housewives, farmers, woodsmen and woodswomen. We wear the clothes of the time and learn and use the life and trade skills of the period.
What period of history does the NECLHG re-enact ?
Approximately 1680-1760 on the New World Frontier.
Why this period of history and why a New World lifestyle and not Australian?
The New World was settled much earlier than Australia and enables us to choose from a larger variety of nationalities, occupations and skills. All of these options make the activities more fun.
Australian settlement was in a later period and founded on a penal colony. There are other re-enactment groups for people interested in the Australian colonial period.
Is joining NECLHG expensive?
No. There are no membership fees for the group. The activity is only as expensive as you want it to be! Many members make all their own period style clothing and equipment. This is an ideal activity for people who like to make things and be creative.
What if there are some items I can not make myself or I am too busy to make?
You always have the option of buying or trading for items. People who want to purchase their clothing and equipment can do so; there are many specialist suppliers. Also you can trade for items you can not make .
Can my family join this group?
Yes we are very family oriented.
What is experimental archaeology?
This is the term used when someone makes and uses a period tool or item. This can be anything from lighting a fire with a flint and steel to building and sailing a ship on an original route! It is the only way to really discover how things were done “back then”.
What is historical trekking?
This activity is trekking and camping in an historically accurate manner. People on a historical trek wear the clothing of the period and carry and use only the equipment used in that period. These treks are a great way to learn woods lore and survival skills.
What sort of “period skills” can we learn and practice?
You can learn and use any skill that was used in the period you reenact. For the mid-18th century these include spinning and weaving on a loom, finger weaving, tomahawk throwing, fire lighting, blade sharpening, leather making and leather working and much, much more.
Is the NECLHG a gun club?
No. Some on our members may carry a period gun on treks and camps as part of their persona. These guns are flintlock muzzle-loading antique guns or copies. The highest level of safely is maintained at all times. Guns are not carried loaded and all gun carrying members are licensed.
What about women members?
In the 18th century women performed many traditional and non traditional roles. There were women blacksmiths, naturalists, artists, and woods-women. Some accompanied militia on scouts . In the NECLHG a women can be what ever she wants to be!
What about children.?
Children are always welcome. Naturally children are the responsibility of their parents. Children really enjoy the living history activities and skills. It is a wonderful way to learn history and it makes their school based history a lot more meaningful. Also children can learn bush craft, survival skills and camping skills.

A Woodsrunner's Diary

A LIVING HISTORY BLOG.