Found and recovered a ramrod

[Diggin'PA]

Recently recovered this ramrod from a wooded area in Southeastern PA. It was about 5" deep... it measures 38.5" in length and the tip measures 7/8" wide and has a hole on two sides and the end comes to a point... does anyone know what gun this would have gone to? In previous hunts a few musket balls and some flat buttons were recovered in this area.

 

[bayou bandit]

No idea what rifle that would have gone with, but... That's A Great Find!!! Congrats

 

[Erving]

I could be wrong, but I'm not sure it would be a ramrod, as I think most were wood with brass, or metal hardware.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

could that be a gun cleaning rod? I have not seen a ramrod with that end before - could be the picture.

 

[baspinall]

Never saw a metal ramrod either. At least not for a rifle.

 

[jamesbibb]

Plenty if ramrods were made of steel

I've got a 42 Springfield that has one in it sitting in the corner

 

[huntsman53]

The fact that the item is much longer than most barrels of rifles issued during the Civil War and that it has a sharpened pointed end, it is highly likely that it is not a Ramrod. Only the longest Kentucky, Tennessee or Pennsylvania type Long Rifles would require a Ramrod of such length.


Frank

 

[Diggin'PA]

The end of it is concave... here is a photo of the end

 

[Diggin'PA]

Here's a photo I just found online of a Rifled percussion musket, English Enfield, Tower 1862 and the ramrod is metal and has an end that tapers to a point and a barrel length of 39"...



1861 Springfield Rifle-Musket also has a 40" barrel
and Richmond Rifle has a 40" barrel

 

[huntsman53]

Here's a photo I just found online of a Rifled percussion musket, English Enfield, Tower 1862 and the ramrod is metal and has an end that tapers to a point and a barrel length of 39"...

View attachment 952945

Well considering this information, then it is possible that I am incorrect!


Frank

 

[relicmeister]

Cool find, Diggin'PA

 

[Diggin'PA]

Cool find, Diggin'PA

thanks

 

[Lcb24kt]

Nice Find! Congrats

 

[l.cutler]

I don't see it as being a ramrod, the end is just too large, it would have to be almost a .90 caliber for it to fit down the bore and that would be pretty much unheard of. And it couldn't fit under the barrel of a muzzleloader being so large. I have been collecting antique guns and shooting muzzleloaders for forty years or so and have never seen a ramrod anything like that. Might be some sort of rod from a piece of farm equipment or something.

 

[treblehunter]

Check out all these early muzzleloaders in this link, in Pa. and the length you are talking about, I would not think this is a ramrod of a early long rifle.
Flintlock Muskets and Pistols - Black Powder Muzzleloaders
I also would have to say a long rifle would have a wooden ramrod and I would not think a civil war era firearm would have an attachment on the end of a ramrod like you have found.

 

[HomeGuardDan]

Never saw a metal ramrod either. At least not for a rifle.

virtually all civil war era ramrods were solid iron (Springfield, Enfield the most common) though I don't believe this to be one

 

[gunsil]

I agree with those who don't think it's a ramrod. The hollow end has a hex nut on it like it was supposed to be tightened onto something else. Interesting item.

 

[releventchair]

Whats commonly called a ram rod fits through thimbles or hole below barrel(s).
A range rod,longer than whats allowed under barrel due to barrel length, and with a handle averaging file handle size up to a cue ball or glass door knob is handy for lots of shooting. You may have a firearm tool but it strikes me as a linkage to a steam engine whatsit, or an awning handle more.

 

[Msbeepbeep]

Cool find!

 

[DigIron2]

Great relic,always wanted to find a whole one