Length of M1854 Austrian Lorenz Ramrod?

[VMI88]

If someone has an original Austrian Model M1854 ramrod they could measure, I'd really appreciate it. I'm asking because I have an original Lorenz that I'm restoring. It was missing the ramrod so I replaced it with a reproduction from S&S. The ramrod sticks out about 5/8" beyond the muzzle when placed in the ramrod channel. I know the channels can sometimes get gunked up but I don't really want to dig around in there or deepen the channel without knowing if it's just the ramrod that's a little long - I'd rather just shorten the ramrod if that's the case. S&S says their ramrod is on the long side to better accommodate all originals. So can anyone tell me what the original length was?

For what it's worth, the exterior of the barrel measures 37 5/16" from breech to muzzle. My reproduction ramrod measures 37 7/16". My Lorenz is an Austrian government model marked on the lockplate with the Austrian eagle and the date "859".

[Don Dixon]

The ramrod should be 37 1/4 inches long. When you insert the ramrod fully into the ramrod channel there should be a metallic sound. If it doesn't fit and you don't hear the sound you have crud in the ramrod channel.

Regards,
Don Dixon

[VMI88]

Thanks for the response - very helpful. So I take it there's a metal stop for the ramrod rather than just a spoon?

One last question: can you access the ramrod channel by removing the trigger guard? I was able to clean the ramrod bayonet channel of my Trapdoor Springfield that way, but I really don't want to go disassembling this rifle without knowing for sure.

Regards,

Bill

[Gary Van Kauwenbergh, 101]

See: http://acwsa.org/Documents/LorenzManualTranslation.pdf , page 22, Figure 21, item E is the ramrod striker plate. Other measurements can be found on page 66.

[Don Dixon]

If you remove the trigger plate you should be able to gently push the crud out of the ramrod channel with the threaded end of the ramrod

[VMI88]

Thanks to both of you for the link and excellent advice!