Cleaning my weapon

[Doug Potter]

I was working on my cartridge box the other day, I cut up some 1 inch squares to place into the envelope to have for cleaning the rifle in the field,
I also keep some writing paper in there as well as Medicated paper well you know what it's for, I carry my rifle tools in a poke sack in my haversack, I was just currious as to what the envelope on the front of the cartridge box was used for, did the soliders just rip up old colth to clean with or did the Quatermaster carry rifle cleaning supplys on his wagon, just how well did a williams cleaner bullet work,
is anyone reproducing a williams cleaner bullet.
Thanks and Merry Christmass to all
Doug Potter Family

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo Kamerad!

In general...
That is usually referred to as the "implement pouch" because it was the implements.

The previous "tradition" was a carryover from the era of the longrifle and "jaeger" rifle where the gun tools and patches were carried under the "butt trap" or "patchbox."
For military rifles, one of the earliest of such arrangements were the Pattern 1800 Baker rifles and the U.S. M1803 rifle- the M1903's "butt box" being for "the wiper, flint, and rag..."
In addition the U.S. M1841 and M1855 rifles were issued with a spare cone stored in a hole drilled into its implement box.
With the advent of the M1855 Rifle-musket, interchangeable tools were permitted to a degree not previously known. Two of the older traditional tools, the wiper and the ball screw, were simplified, and the screwdriver/cone wrench was made more versatile by adding a third screwdriver blade. Another new tool was the "tumbler and wire punch" changed in 1861 to the "tumbler and band spring punch" along with a "universal wiper" and a tompion. Soldiers taking their guns apart seems to have been cautiously frowned upon, so initially the "punch" tool was issued ot NCO's only, but with the 1861 Ordnance Manual that policy was amended for officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers to be instructed and practiced on the manner of mounting and dismounting (strictly defining what should and should not be mounted/dismounted- all of which seems to have been accepted slowly...)
So, basically, in the U.S. system, each soldier should have a screwdriver/ cone wrench combo tool and a wiper, each squad of ten a band-spring and tumbler punch, and a spring vise (carried by the NCO).

And the "implement pouch" was intended for the "implements" which did not stop men for carrying them elsewhere... ;-)

Curt-Heinrich Schmidt

Doug, you might want to cut you cleaning patches a bit larger. 1" square patches work great for .223 bores but are very inefficient for .58 bores. You might want to start with a 2x2 patch and work up from there.

[Dreamer42]

Also, Doug, what I have found is that beneath the cartridge box tins in the cartridge box is ample space for 15 to 20 cleaning patches. That space of the box is curved, which allows you to use that otherwise empty space for something. It only seems logical to me that it be used for patches, seeing that they add no great amount of weight and the box is, indeed, meant for carrying tools and accouterments for the weapon.
I certainly agree with Mr. Badgett on the size of the patches. I cut mine just under 2x2 for .58 cal.

Jay Reid
9th Texas

Hello,
Tow! A good wad of Tow should be in your cart. box. Tow was used to clean the rifles. My first cart. box made by R. Neece had a wad of Tow in the pouch. First I thought it was a rats nest. Later I found out what the Tow was used for. You can still buy Tow for about $2.00, enough to last several events. tow: short, coarse pieces of flax.
Cary A. Davisson

Tow also has a natural oil that is good for the bore and if you ever shoot a smooth bore with shot (hopefully not at a event) it is correct wadding dateing back to the origins of firearms.

Originally Posted by Cary Davisson

Hello,
Tow! A good wad of Tow should be in your cart. box. Tow was used to clean the rifles. My first cart. made by R. Neece had a wad of Tow in the pouch. First I thought it was a rats nest. Later I found out what the Tow was used for. You can still buy Tow for about $2.00, enough to last several events. tow: short, coarse pieces of flax.
Cary A. Davisson

[hardtack61]

pards,

This Rifle Cleaning subject has been a main topic of my talking with friends and have had not much help. Ive been trying to progress as much as i can. I have been taking modern cleaning gear!Yuck!, along with my ramrod attachments. What would be a authentic way to go about taking stuff to reenactments and stuff for being able to have my rifle pass inspection. Anything would help, thanks

Originally Posted by hardtack61

pards,

This Rifle Cleaning subject has been a main topic of my talking with friends and have had not much help. Ive been trying to progress as much as i can. I have been taking modern cleaning gear!Yuck!, along with my ramrod attachments. What would be a authentic way to go about taking stuff to reenactments and stuff for being able to have my rifle pass inspection. Anything would help, thanks

All I do to clean my rifle is heat up some water, pour it down the barrel, slosh it around a few times. Do that several times then take the nipple off and pour water down it a couple times letting it run out the other end. I bring some torn up bandanas(period looking),stick them through the ramrod and run'em down it until its dry. I then dry the place where the nipple goes. I clear the nipple with a period nipple pick. That'll get it as clean as it'll get and it takes about 10-15 minute.

Lane Reeder
3rd AR, Texas Brigade

[dusty27]

Waylon,

My cleaning kit in the field consists of some cleaning patches, a worm, and a nipple wrench. In the field, I leave the last cap on the nipple, I pour hot water down the barrel, swish it back and forth and pour out the water. I then use the ramrod and worm to push and pull several cleaning patches down the barrel. I remove the nipple and clean it out with a pick and dry everything before I replace the nipple.

Haven't had a misfire in 9 years of doing this.

At home, I clean more completely.

[BrianHicks]

Other than the ramrod which is a part of your rifle. All you really need is a worm to attach to the ram rod, and some old shirting material cut into patches, and perhaps some grease from bacon or other meat (don't use salt pork though!) along with the ash from the fire pit, and you have all you need to clean your weapon and oil down the metal to protect against rust on those damp nights when the weapon is left in the stack. A period rifle tool is useful in removing the cone (aka nipple).