17thC Scottish Snaphaunce Musket

[Matchlock]

Hi Norman,


This indeed looks to me like the drilled-out remains of a heavily cup-grease felt wad inserted as a conservative treatment by a curator of some arsenal in the 19th c.
I have often seen these and at least one is preserved in perfect condition in my collection.

How far back of the muzzle did you locate it and was there any sort of load right behind it?
If it was inserted after the gun's active service it should have been set close to the muzzle - as sort of a dust plug.


Best,
m

[Norman McCormick]

Hi Rick,
A few outcomes possible here, let's hope it is an interesting one. Will keep you posted.
My Regards,
Norman.


Hi Michael,
This material was gathered form inside the barrel about 6.5cm in front of the touchhole so well down the barrel and not near the muzzle. There is a harder substance behind it and by the clunk of the ramrod it sounds like lead, whether a ball or a plug I don't know. I am in the process of making a tool to extract the 'lead' if indeed it is possible to get it out. Will let you know soon how I get on. Thanks for your continued interest.
My Regards,
Norman

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
A little update. I decided to insert a cocktail stick into the touchhole just to see if the 'blockage' went all the way, should have done this before. The area is free of any obstruction and I can hear the distinct rasp of grains!!! when moving the cocktail stick. As you can see the end of the stick is black and it smells of gunpowder, see photo. Am going to the tool store tomorrow so I hope to get a few bits to aid in the extraction process. Thanks for your continued interest.
Regards,
Norman.

[rickystl]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
A little update. I decided to insert a cocktail stick into the touchhole just to see if the 'blockage' went all the way, should have done this before. The area is free of any obstruction and I can hear the distinct rasp of grains!!! when moving the cocktail stick. As you can see the end of the stick is black and it smells of gunpowder, see photo. Am going to the tool store tomorrow so I hope to get a few bits to aid in the extraction process. Thanks for your continued interest.
Regards,
Norman.

Hi Norman! Oh GREAT!!! Now we know there is powder in the breech of the barrel. It's now likely there is a lead ball in front of the powder. And, if your luck continues, there may be a patch between the powder and ball. There is no telling how long that load has been in there. As you have probably surmised by now, I'm thrilled with all of this. Wish I was there with you as your "helper" in extracting that load. Did you consider the compressed air method? Anyway, thanks so much for the update!! Keep us Posted. Rick.