Thanks,
Ethan Sudman (ethansudman@home.com) - ------=_NextPart_000_00D6_01C07597.14644140-- - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 13:29:01 -0800 From: "Roger Lahti" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Gun Cleaning It has been > stated that a more period correct way to clean your bore would be to use > soap and hot water as opposed to solvents and natural lubricants in > place of the standard gun oil. Michael, If you want to make it simple, all you need are a patch jag for your ram rod (to use patches) or a tow worm to twist onto a plain wooden end of your ram rod (if your going to use tow). Doesn't hurt to have a ball pulling screw on the end of your rod. Plain cold water will do the job just fine. Warmer water helps a bit but isn't mandatory. If you lube your patches with a natural lube (as has been enumerated and mentioned adnausium) then soap and water are the last things you want to use since the soap will wash out the apparent tendency of natural lubes to "condition" the bore against rampant rust. Brushes and such are not necessary in my opinion. Soap and water are not necessary in my opinion. Fancy modern chemicals and solvents are not necessary in my opinion. If you can wipe out your bore and pull a stuck ball out, you don't need any other attachments. Why should you pay any attention to my opinion? Those methods have been working just fine on my guns for close to 30 years of shooting BP guns. No rust problems. Plenty good accuracy. As to your questions about what would be period correct, thing of yourself being hundreds of miles from civilization in a time when much of what is sold off the shelf at your local gun shop is not available, hasn't even been invented yet! What you have is what you can gather from nature. You gona carry around soap enough to clean your gun every time you shoot it? Maybe once a day, for a year? Even if it is only one shot for food? You gona not shoot it because you don't have any Lehigh Valley bore lube or whatever? Or Moose Milk mixed up? Of course not. What about when you loose the one jag you do have or loose the one tow worm you do have? How about wadding up some dry grass, bark, tow, shirt tail and tying it to a length of string or leather whang long enough to reach the bottom of the bore? Push it down with the ram rod you made out of a choke cherry switch after you broke the hickory one you brought from back east. Pull it back up with the string and push it down again. No jag, no tow worm. Now if your lucky and rich, and back east you might have a nice set of tools provided by the gun maker that would include a nice tow worm fitting that screws onto the fitting on the ram rod that came with the gun. It would probably also have a ball pulling screw in it or on it and would probably all be made of forged iron. You might even have a nice little pewter bottle to hold sperm oil or "sweet oil" to lube the lock. Those things would be authentic. I think late in the ML era you might even find a patch jag included in what was available. Well, that's a pretty big nut shell but it's what I believe is how it was done. Hope that helps. I remain......... YMOS Capt. Lahti' - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 16:48:50 EST From: LODGEPOLE@aol.com Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Introduction In a message dated 12/30/00, tjewell@home.com writes: << p.s. being new to the list and this computer stuff, please let me know if I make any breaches of form or etiquite >> Etiquite? Waugh, what's that? Longshot "Longshot's Rendezvous Homepage" (Newly Redesigned) http://members.aol.com/lodgepole/longshot.html - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 16:22:52 -0800 From: "larry pendleton" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Gun Cleaning Capt. As per usual, you have hit the nail on the head. To add to your comment of : Why should you pay any attention to my opinion? Those methods have been working just fine on my guns for close to 30 years of shooting BP guns. No rust problems. Plenty good accuracy. Those are also the methods used by our forefathers for centuries. Pendleton Keep it simple and you'll have more fun. - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 17:49:57 -0600 (CST) From: "S. Gilbert" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: leather braiding( Lucets) Hello the list, I make lucets and demo them at events. If you go to my website and click on "handicrafts" you'll see a page on how to make a lucet cord and a round corker cord. If you have any questions, just holler. www.avalon.net/~sgilbert/6beav.htm Susan Gilbert Beaver Camp sgilbert@avalon.net - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 16:05:24 -0800 From: "Roger Lahti" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Gun Cleaning Hope I didn't come across to strong, "in your face" style, but there just is no good reason to make it any more complicated than necessary. It wasn't then and shouldn't be now. Our modern minds tend to want to do that. "There must be a better way". Yea, the old way. Guess I've answered the question too many times. Capt. Lahti' - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 20:32:16 -0600 From: Todd Subject: RE: MtMan-List: leather braiding Smoke and Fire sells one. Not real fancy, but seems to work. > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com > [mailto:owner-hist_text@lists.xmission.com]On Behalf Of > LivingInThePast@aol.com > Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 1:13 PM > To: hist_text@lists.xmission.com > Subject: Re: MtMan-List: leather braiding >=20 >=20 > Hawk, You have a lead on obtaining plans or a finished Lucette? = Barn >=20 > ---------------------- > hist_text list info: = http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html >=20 - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 22:10:55 EST From: BrayHaven@aol.com Subject: MtMan-List: gun parts & supplies? Howdy folks, I'm getting back into ML activities after a 15 year hiatus in the corporate ratrace. My mule talked me into leaving those digs and getting back to the things I enjoy like blacksmithing and gunsmithing. I always built & used caplocks after trying a flinter once. I recall it burning my hat brim and singeing my eyebrows off and if I had been shooting at meat, I would have starved plumb to death waitin fer it to go off. Well I've since seen some real nice flints and now want to build (or buy) one. I recall using a lot of parts from Log Cabin back then. Who's a good purveyor (s) of gun parts these days and what's a good lock that works? As I recall, Siler was always thought purty highly of. Anyone have any thing along these lines to sell? Any help from you "resident experts" appreciated. Have enjoyed this list. Greg Sefton Best "Ass" In America BJ1 http://members.aol.com/BrayHaven/bj.htm - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 Jan 2001 22:35:20 -0500 From: Tim Jewell Subject: MtMan-List: Fur Hats (again) Hello the list, In my last post I asked about fur hats using Mountainman Crafts and Skills as an example (not a very good one). What I really should have asked is, would a style similar to what Chalton Heston and Brain Keith wore in "The Mountain Men" movie be appropriate. Fur (without the face, tail, etc.) and a short, heavy leather visor is what I have in mind. My research/documentation would be: 1. "Bridger", the painting by Miller seems to show a similar hat. 2. from the personal narrative of Chas. Larpentuer pps 43-44, ...buckskin shirt, wolfskin cap, red flannel undershirt... 3. Journal of a Trapper, Osbourne Russell, p82, ...hat or cap of wool, buffalo or otter skin... 4. Burton Harris, "John Colter, His Years in the Rockies", ...fur caps...stlye of the Indian tribes with which they had been associated... 5. "Rocky Mountain Rendevous" , Phillip Edwards, pps 116-117, ...caps and hats are made of beaver and otter skins, the skins of buffalo. Something I don't want to do is waste a good coyote skin on something that is not PC, they are hard to come by back east where I live (Baltimore). But my ahhh....folicle impairment...has increased to the point that a nice warm covering on my head sure would be comfortin'. As always, comments, opinions and advice are most welcome. Thanks, Tim - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 22:15:20 -0600 From: Victoria Pate Subject: Re: MtMan-List: leather braiding > Ms. Victoria, > > Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit! I'm not THAT old! > Thanks for > such kind words. Do you mind if I show them to my wife? Capt. Lahti', By all means, please do so. If it will help you out....... Thanks for your post on gun cleaning. Seeing all the ads in "Muzzle Blasts" lead me to believe I couldn't can't do without all the goopy stuff. Your post is a good word for us youngin's just starting out in BP, say not. Victoria - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 21:12:49 -0800 From: Randal J Bublitz Subject: Re: MtMan-List: simple cleaning I agree with the simple cleaning philosophy. After reading about it years ago, I adopted it, and have good success. Simply speaking, treat your cold rolled steel barrel like a good cast iron skillet. Use natural oils, vege. or animal oils. Clean with water. I've read (don't ask for sources, was a long time ago) that nothing really works better than water on black powder residue. Hot water only helps in heating the barrel, which facilitates drying. I clean with water and set in the sun to dry. Swab well to insure dryness, then swab with a greased patch. The oils will permeate the pores of the metal and cure the barrel, like a good cast iron skillet is cured. This adds to long term protection, and those times that you don't clean as soon as you should. I use a jag and patch on my rifles, and a screw with tow on my smooth bores. This is a simple and authentic way to care for your smokepoles, and you don't have to order lots of stuff from MuzzleBlasts adds. hardtack - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 21:22:27 -0800 From: "Roger Lahti" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Fur Hats (again) - ----- Original Message ----- From: "Tim Jewell" To: Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 7:35 PM Subject: MtMan-List: Fur Hats (again) > My research/documentation would be: > 1. "Bridger", the painting by Miller seems to show a similar hat. This seems to be an acceptable style. It works well in Beaver or another short fur pelt. If you have the want to make one of coyote, my suggestion would be to make a "Canadian Cap" as discribed a few days ago. Basicaly a wool cap of four sections with a wide band of wool backed fur going all around that can be turned down or flipped up. I have one of fox and it keeps my head warm and dry. The fur stands out enough in front to generally keep snow off my glasses. I'm sure that there were many different styles of hat turned out from available furs but documenting a particular style is the hard part. I personally don't like "critter" hats with the face and etc. hanging down all around. Perhaps they would look better if only worn in Winter but I see them worn in the middle of the summer as though they were a badge of some kind. I'll let it go at that. Capt. Lahti' - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 21:25:44 -0800 From: "atthesea" Subject: MtMan-List: Shoes/Boots Hello the list: Foot surgery and arthritis have pretty well done me in for using moccasins. Do any of you fine folks know of sites/resources to look at shoes/boots common during the FTE. Any suggestions for style, etc? I guess that most everyone during those shining times must have worn shoes or boots instead of moccasins at one time or the other. Any help will be most appreciated. If all else fails, I'll let down the hems on my drop front pants to cover my hunting boots...guess though there weren't a lot of vibram soles represented at the various voos. Am chomping at the bit to get out and initiate my new GPR in .50 percussion that Santa brought me just a few days late! Regards from mild and rainy Coos Bay, Oregon Ghostrider - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 21:34:37 -0800 From: "Roger Lahti" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: leather braiding Your post is a good > word for us youngin's just starting out in BP, say not. Ms. Victoria, You could pay me back by explaining the thought process or meaning of "say not. " as it appears at the end of an Amish sentence (I think it was Amish). Thanks Capt. Lahti' - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 21:53:45 -0800 From: "Roger Lahti" Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Shoes/Boots Ghostrider, The first link is to CD Jarnigan. They sell period boots and shoes. http://www.jarnaginco.com/ This second link is to Fugawee, who also sell period boots and shoes at a slightly cheaper rate. http://www.fugawee.com/ What you want are a pair of "1812" Jefferson boots. They will come smooth or rough out. All leather construction and pretty much made the same as they were back in the early 19th Century. There are many shipping manifests of goods going west that include Boots and Shoes though no discription is given. If the prices scare you, then consider making a pair of mocs that go over whatever modern foot wear you have to use. You will know and I will know and I don't care if you are wearing modern foot wear if you need it for medical purposes. You are showing that you respect what others are doing by making your appearance as period correct as you can. That is good enough for me. Good luck with finding something that meets your needs. Capt. Lahti' - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 01:22:00 EST From: SWzypher@aol.com Subject: Re: MtMan-List: gun parts & supplies? In a message dated 1/3/1 08:11:43 PM, BrayHaven@aol.com writes: <<BJ1 >> Nice bunch of pictures. Looks like you take good care of your animals For locks et.al., try Track of the Wolf. They have about everythings and are supplies to most of the top full-time gun builders in the country. RJames - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 01:29:39 EST From: SWzypher@aol.com Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Fur Hats (again) In a message dated 1/3/1 08:36:04 PM, tjewell@home.com writes: <> I stood next to them and looked at the hats and can tell you that they were pure costuming. The same costumers outfitted them with Thompson Center rifles. You might look at more of Miller's paintings and sketches and also refer to Jim Hansen's Mountain Man Sketch Book(s). Jim was virtually raised in the Museum of the Fur Trade then worked before and after he got his doctorate amoung some of the finest collections of such artifacts in the country (world). Most Sincerly Richard James. - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 01:37:21 EST From: SWzypher@aol.com Subject: Re: MtMan-List: Fur Hats (again) A post script to my response to your last posting: John Clymer's paintings are probably as good as you are going to get for being able to see a lot of this equipment. Actually John's wife did a major part of his research for him but what he selected from that research to paint - - he did REAL good. John visited the gathering for the Mountain Man (Chas. Heston et. al.) and that same year came to Henry's Fork for the AMM Rendezvous. Although notables the Clymers and Reg and Gladys Laubin lived near Jackson, Wyoming within miles of each other - and both couples were aware of one another - they never met until they came to the camp of the re-enactors. I probably have the only photos that were ever taken of the two couples together. Richard James - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001 01:58:21 EST From: SWzypher@aol.com Subject: Re: MtMan-List: simple cleaning There was a great account of gun cleaning and other correct-to-the-period that I though was in the bookm "Muzzle-Loading Caplock Rifle", by Roberts - but I just looked and I was wrong. If someone else has read this and knows the correct title I would appreciate your sharing. The story was brief but told by a man who in his youth went with his uncle who was a full time bear hunter . The part that is appropriate here is the instructions the lad received in "evening maintenance". " First you tend your horse, then your rifle, and finally yourself . . . .". In tending the rifle - put on a pot of two quarts of water to boil. While it is coming to boil, pull the nipple and run cold water through it until it runs clear. (I can't remember, but here it seems like there was some patch-in-the-bore scrubbing) . Now get a cloth (like a towel), fold it several times the long way and twist lightly. Then loop the middle of the towel around the barrel, bring the ends together and twist them tightly - this gives you a handle to hold the barrel. Holding the barrel by the "handle", with the breech down and the nipple out, slowly pour the two quarts of boiling water down the bore. You will have to keep a hold of the cloth handle to keep from burning your hands on the (now VERY) hot barrel, and start scrubbing the bore with cloth patches until the lst one comes out dry. The bore is clean and hot so that any residual moisture evaporates immediatly rathern than lingering in the pores of the metal. Now a final swab withan oily patch and you are done. You have tended your horse, tended your gun, now feed yourself and attend to your night camp and get to work dressing out those bear. Hope this helps - works for me and it IS authentic Richard James - ---------------------- hist_text list info: http://www.xmission.com/~drudy/mtman/maillist.html ------------------------------ End of hist_text-digest V1 #702 ******************************* - To unsubscribe to hist_text-digest, send an email to "majordomo@xmission.com" with "unsubscribe hist_text-digest" in the body of the message.