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Post by lenapej on Feb 11, 2024 12:29:47 GMT -7
I recently bought this mold for my smoothbore from Mr Callahan, I haven't had the chance to use it yet. I have been looking for references in journals of these being used in the period (not that I question that) and the only one I have so far is James Smith used a "pair of bullit Molds" as a pliers to pull a piece of cane from his foot, so I was wondering if anyone has any direct quotes or a source you could point me to?  |
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Post by brokennock on Feb 11, 2024 19:49:23 GMT -7
I honestly can't remember which books I've read them in but I do recall both your reference and some others. I feel like some of the others were very brief mentions, almost "in passing," with no detail or discussion. It may have been in the book of Rev War Pension depositions that a couple men, and maybe one of the only women, mentions being put to the task of making balls and cartridges upon arriving at a certain camp or Fort.
The book is, "The Revolution Remembered" edited by John C. Dann.
I am pretty sure I have read other similar brief/casual mentions of their use.
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on Feb 11, 2024 20:35:29 GMT -7
This is all I have at present lenapej
Ball Mould Quotes.
“He ran all his bullets in a pair of moulds that had a knife in them to cut them off at the neck as they were run.”
James Wade. Late 18th century.
The plumbers at the tower are now casting great quantities of buck shot in imitation of those used by the Americans.
THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
Date: December 9, 1775
Title: LONDON, August 26.
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Post by lenapej on Feb 12, 2024 11:09:09 GMT -7
Thank you for the replies and quotes gentlemen, much appreciated.
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Post by spence on Feb 13, 2024 12:39:00 GMT -7
I'm not sure what you are looking for, any references to molding balls or only when using a bag mold to do so. Here are a couple of the former, no real description of the gear used.
Siege of Fort Henry, September 1, 1777.
Recollections of Mrs. Joseph Stagg.
"Women ran bullets in frying pans, and two shot. Mrs. Duke cut bullet patches out of a 700 linen piece, like one cutting out shirts." p. 64.
Thwaites, Reuben Gold, and Kellogg, Louise Phelps, eds.; "Frontier Defense on the Upper Ohio, 1777-1778 Compiled from the Draper Manuscripts in the Library of the Wisconsin Historical Society." Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin. 1912.
Joseph Dodderidge quoting Capt Teter preparing against an attack on Dodderidge's father's fort.
"when you run your bullets, cut off the necks very close, and scrape them, so as to make them a little less, and get patches one hundred finer than those you commonly use, and have them well oiled, for if a rifle happens to be choked in the time of battle, there is one gun and one man lost for the rest of the battle. You will have no time to unbritch a gun and get a plug to drive out a bullet. Have the locks well oiled and your flints sharp, so as not to miss fire." p. 281-82.
Doddridge, Joseph; "Notes on the Settlement and Indian Wars of the Western parts of Virginia and Pennsylvania, from 1763 to 1783, Inclusive." Joel Munsell. Albany, New York. 1876.
Spence
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Post by brokennock on Feb 13, 2024 22:56:29 GMT -7
....You will have no time to unbritch a gun and get a plug to drive out a bullet..... Spence Thank you very much for all if that quoted material Spence. This particular line has made me wonder about "unbritching" a gun to remove a stuck ball. So often in the dozens of stuck ball threads on forums we see someone suggest removing the breachplug and then a bunch if people crowing about what a bad idea it is, citing tool issues and potential damage issues. This quoted line has made me think that removing the plug for a stuck ball might possibly have been the norm. It also leads me to wonder what tools were commonly used for the task at that time. |
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Post by lenapej on Feb 17, 2024 13:58:18 GMT -7
Thank you Spence, anything on molding balls was what I was after, much appreciated.
Nock, I have removed the breech on my smoothbore many times for cleaning without any problems.
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Post by hawkeyes on Feb 20, 2024 10:15:20 GMT -7
Thank you Spence, anything on molding balls was what I was after, much appreciated. Nock, I have removed the breech on my smoothbore many times for cleaning without any problems. Fairly common practice honestly. Not hard obviously and I do it from time to time just like you. |
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Post by spence on Feb 20, 2024 11:47:34 GMT -7
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