Cleaning funnel info?

[Czechsix]

I'm doing a bit of research on the Commonwealth cleaning funnels that many of us have seen. Used primarily for doing the boiling water clean out in Enfields and other arms.

I'm trying to find out who the manufacturers of them were, where they were made, time periods, different designs, etc.

I'd like to ask a favor of those of you that have them - what are the markings on them?

If there are markings, many of them will have them on the outside flat portion, centered about a centimeter down from the rim. Usually fairly small font.

For example, mine is stamped:

Alfr J Parker
Birmingham
1941

With a broad arrow right below.

Thanks in advance!

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[CINDERS]

No markings on mine belonged to a WWII armourer friend now deceased I feel it may be a home made job or at least made in the workshops as it is quite well done.

[Czechsix]

No markings on mine belonged to a WWII armourer friend now deceased I feel it may be a home made job or at least made in the workshops as it is quite well done.

Thank you, Cinders. Also, thanks for including the photo - your example is quite a bit different from mine. Different joints, larger rolled edge, etc. As you say, still a well made piece of kit.

[Peter Laidler]

Armourers used to have to make one of these as part of their apprenticeship in the days JUST before Carlisle came on stream. But there's more to it than that of course. There always is when you're an apprentice! First, you had to draw it all up as part of your engineering drawing lessons and then trace it out, I think it was a truncated cone of sorts, cut out the parts and sweat it all together during the tin-bashing phase with one of those huge copper soldering irons. We had some other items to make and as always, there was a sting in the tail because as you set about soft soldering the next part along, the previous soldered joint would quickly fall apart due to the heat and so on. So then you designed a small jig to hold it together during the process but........... the jig acted as a heat sink so nothing really went well. I have that period of my apprenticeship to blame for the fact that whenever I solder anything the whole thing is virtually dripping with solder - known as 'snotty joints'. As for bending that xxxxxxx pipe over wood formers............. ! Happy days

[Badger]

More information on cleaning accessories with pics are in Jay's sub-forum ..

ANCILLARY ENFIELD EQUIPMENT - Page 2

Pull Through's, Bore Patches, Cleaning Funnel, Wire Gauze, Oil Bottles, Drill Round's and Blanks

Regards,
Doug

[Czechsix]

Armourers used to have to make one of these as part of their apprenticeship in the days JUST before Carlisle came on stream. But there's more to it than that of course. There always is when you're an apprentice! First, you had to draw it all up as part of your engineering drawing lessons and then trace it out, I think it was a truncated cone of sorts, cut out the parts and sweat it all together during the tin-bashing phase with one of those huge copper soldering irons. We had some other items to make and as always, there was a sting in the tail because as you set about soft soldering the next part along, the previous soldered joint would quickly fall apart due to the heat and so on. So then you designed a small jig to hold it together during the process but........... the jig acted as a heat sink so nothing really went well. I have that period of my apprenticeship to blame for the fact that whenever I solder anything the whole thing is virtually dripping with solder - known as 'snotty joints'. As for bending that xxxxxxx pipe over wood formers............. ! Happy days

Now that's very interesting information! That practice probably accounts for funnels that I've heard about that have no information on them, versus the issue funnels that are out there. I went through some training like yours, yep, good times, good times. Just not while you're in them, lol.

Thanks for the information!

---------- Post added at 09:07 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:06 AM ----------

More information on cleaning accessories with pics are in Jay's sub-forum ..

ANCILLARY ENFIELD EQUIPMENT - Page 2

Pull Through's, Bore Patches, Cleaning Funnel, Wire Gauze, Oil Bottles, Drill Round's and Blanks

Regards,
Doug

I'll head on over there, thanks, still getting used to the forum!

[Mk VII]

I've got a 1950s one which somebody who worked at Shoeburyness gave me. Might be a while until I can get hold of it.

Making your own tools used to be a common part of apprenticeship/trade training here. Afterwards you were permitted to buy them from the company at cost-of-materials price.

[mrclark303]

I have two, one is I am sure as Peter described, Armourer made with a recessed ledge that sits on the charger bridge and a suitably kinked .303 case as the spout.

The other is manufactured and dated 1944 ... Only issue is finding them!
I will look through my gear at the weekend and photograph them.

[browningautorifle]

Mine is just a small tin funnel that has a cocked spout. Not sure if it's even correct, it's not marked. It sure works well though.

[Brian Dick]

I have two Canadian ones. One has "STELCO OF CANADA LTD." printed on the inside of the funnel. I'd guess it just happened to be on the steel that was used to make it. The other is identical but unmarked.