British East India Company Model F Percussion Musket

[Aragorn243]

I am just amazed at how the steel/rust just eats away so much wood. There are brass pins holding the cleaning rod guides in place and they are pristine. This is going to be slow going for a bit as I started coaching rifle on Friday and deer season is coming fast. I did get the last steel out of it today, there is a pin which holds the brass butt plate on along with the two screws. I'll have to fill all those areas with something, probably epoxy in the screw holes and wood along the expose areas. The cleaned wood color is a lot closer in color to my repair plugs than the gahandra was. But this has a lot more repairs to be done. Here are some photos of the markings.



Two crowns are faint on the left side.



This is the LACY and JR











This is underside of the barrel, near the rear, probably worst erosion of metal. I can't really read any of it, not enough letters.

[painter777]

Something is in the bottom of the barrel

I need to make a tool to get it out of there......

how the steel/rust just eats away so much wood

Would it be possible to weld a drill bit or easy out to a rod long enough to attempt pulling the 'something in the barrel' out?
I don't know if these barrels are smooth bore or have grooves, if grooved you might have to take that into account for spin direction upon backing the obstruction out. A long rod welded to a easy out or drill bit could allow use of a screw gun. Just tossing out a thought.

Types of Fasteners Used:
The information below comes from a chart that measures: The corrosion (Rust) to the amount of wood decay from multiple factors. Some, but not all of these factors are: the woods moisture level, humidity, how much salt in the wood and acetic acid... etc.
But to keep it simple, in short: Rust will decay wood.

Woods are commonly associated with corrosion of metals in contact with them under damp conditions. Iron and steel (Magnetic) are much more susceptible to the corrosive influence of wood than (Non Magnetic) like aluminium, copper or brass.

The rusting of iron is frequently accompanied by deterioration of the wood immediately next to it. Wood in contact with actively rusting iron or steel suffers a loss in tensile strength and decay. The woods compressive strength is affected to a lesser degree than to the rate of decay.

Your Metal.. is really coming out very nice, nice seeing the stock has revealed markings... good job.

Enjoy your hunt and good luck....... Be Safe

Charlie-Painter777

[WarPig1976]

A bullet puller. Screws into your cleaning rod.
CVA Black Powder Bullet Puller 50 Cal - MPN: AC1461

[Aragorn243]

I saw a photo of a tool a fellow made for one of these muskets. It was similar to a chisel tip fastened to the end of a long rod. I don't think a bullet puller would work because there isn't anything to grap onto. Whatever is in there is somewhat soft and the cleaning rod sinks into it. Could be old grease and I may try just soaking it in something. This is a smootbore, large caliber 70ish or something like that.

[WarPig1976]

You have an air compressor? Piece of steel fuel line rigged to the tip of the blow gun thingy,,,,blow it out.

[browningautorifle]

Could be old grease

Try boiling water...melt it out. Could be sheep dip...

[painter777]

Well...... since the hood is up...
Try bending 1 or 2 fishing hooks straight, then attach to a thin enough dowel rod. Might be enough bite with the hook's barb to pull up a sample.
Or A shop vac having the cone attachment taped to a length of hose might also pull something up.
I remember my Father pulling a piece of cork ball from a old muzzle loader.... No idea why it was in there.

Good luck Aragorn

CH-P777

[painter777]

All sorts of marks on the barrel, mostly under the wood line. Some marks on the wood also.

This link may be helpful sorting out the markings.

http://www.armsregister.com/arms_reg...ket_c1840s.pdf

Charlie-Painter777

[Aragorn243]

Here's my crazy idea and mainly because I have it on hand. I'm going to take a section of 1/2 copper tubing and cut a couple of angled teeth into the end of it so I can twist it around in there. If it is soft and mushy, I'll dry melting it out. If it's paper crap, hopefully it will snag and come out. I don't think I'll be able to do it until the holiday weekend which I am really looking forward to right now. Rifle is super hectic. I have about 20 first years with no experience shooting competitively. Most are OK but a few are the usual major problems. One kid hasn't even figured out he has to look THROUGH the rear sight before pulling the trigger. My varsity squad is looking pretty decent so far and our first match is over two weeks away and it is an easy one. Second match will be tough.

[painter777]

Man,
Super busy Holidays for you !
"Rifle is super hectic. I have about 20 first years with no experience shooting competitively".
Sounds like the Bad News Bears of Shooting...

I've been trying to kill some time and happened across this forum with members asking questions about parts and barrel markings, it includes both letter and number codes.
Check this out, I hope and believe this will help you. It even explains some of the assembly process with who did what. An assembly line of skilled trades and craftsmen:

Percussion Muskets of the East India Company 1840 to 1851 - British Militaria Forums

Charlie-Painter777