Front sight question original model 1842

[Fauch125]

I have an original 1842 that I'm using for smoothbore. As the wood has dried somewhat in the past 160 years, the front band has a little slop to it, problematic as it means the front sight on the band moves as well. I've noticed that this is minimized/eliminated, when the ramrod is in place. I know there is a difficult armory fix for the band play, involving a dicey shallow groove in the barrel and a pin brazed onto the band. I have considered glass bedding, but don't want to mess with an original stock in fair condition. So my question is this: Can I leave the original steel ramrod in the ramrod channel while competing, using my replacement brass ramrod for loading? Steel ramrod would not leave the channel, and the brass ramrod would be rested on my bayonet as usual. Could not find this addressed in the skirmish rules. Just wondering if this is an option. Thanks, Jon Faucher

[Lou Lou Lou]

Sounds like a plan to me.

[Francis J. Miller Jr, 02601]

Jon,

I found this in the N-SSA's Skirmishers Handbook.

Most skirmishers stick a bayonet or large knife into the ground at their feet and lean the
ramrod against it during competition. You may do this, or you may hold the ramrod in
your hand. You may not return the ramrod to the channel beneath the barrel until after
you have fired your last shot for that event or relay.

[gemmer]

I had a windage problem with my rifled '42. Through trial and error I established the correct position of the front band and used thin wood shims between the stock and band to keep it there. Downside; you can't remove the barrel for cleaning.

Duane

[W. Huffman]

Dear Mr. Miller unfortunatly you have an outdated copy of the Skirmisher's Handbook. As per rule 25.2 (d) which states: If the rammer is returned to the piece, it should be pulled down by the little finger, keeping the hand out of the line of fire. This does allow a competitor to return the rammrod to the channel during competition. FYI the publications commitee is currentiy reviewing and rewriting a new version.


Wade Huffman
National IG

[Rich Foster]

Duane, You can place epoxy between stock and band just make sure you have release agent on band to remove it. Just like glass embedding barrel to make it a tight fit. Then you can remove band for cleaning and put it back in the same place. Rich

[Maillemaker]

I was wondering if it would be possible to somehow add material, like an epoxy, to the inside of the barrel band itself rather than the wood stock.

Perhaps if you wrapped the stock with a single layer of Saran Wrap like plastic and then put some epoxy on the inside of the barrel band and fitted it in place?

Steve

[Ron/The Old Reb]

I would try to figure out how much space has be taken up to make the band tight. Then get a piece of brass from the hardware store ( Ace sells brass strips that are all different thickness ) cut it to fit the width of the band. Then use Locktight Black Max to fasten it to the band or solder it.
My two cents worth.

[Blair]

Paper serves as a very good shim between the barrel and barrel channel.
Paper can be bought in various thicknesses and even acid free.
Once you know how much shim stock you need to tighten up the band in question... then you can see about glass bedding that area. (perhaps, even with the paper as a shim?)
Suggestion... be sure to install the ramrod while checking your shim thickness to make sure everything is as tight as you believe it should be.
As an alternative you may just leave the ramrod in place and use another rod to load the gun?
Just a thought and may help save you a lot of work.

[Lou Lou Lou]

That was his original plan.

[Fauch125]

Thanks for the suggestions. I had made earlier attempts to shim without success. The band and stock could be somewhat unitized, but they would both turn on the barrel. I was reduced to making a pencil mark on the band and barrel, and checking and adjusting with each load. Imperfect and time consuming. When lined up, the gun shoots to point of aim, so i'm hesitant about modifying in a permant fashion and finding out afterwards it effected the harmonics. Going to try to leave the original ramrod in and load with another and see if it still shoots to point of aim and the sight stays put. Was wondering if there was a specific prohibition about doing so in competition. I appreciate the comments. Jon

[Blair]

Jon,

Try the paper trick.
Trimmed to fit in the area you want to correct. You can measure how much of a shim you may find you need. If it works well for you and your gun
Nothing permeate needs to take place. Unless you want it too!

[Fauch125]

I'm going to try some card stock. Reminds me of a .58 stock that had been fitted with a cardboard sleeve to make it a trapdoor stock. Worth a try, non damaging, non permanent. Thanks.

[W. Huffman]

Dear Fauch125
If you want to leave the rod in the channel and use another to load with I don't see any problem in doing so.

Wade Huffman
National IG

[Rich Foster]

It is a common practice with sights on the front band to put a slight bent near the nose cap on the ramrod. THen twist ramrod so it is tight with the nose cap so you cannot pull the ramrod out unless you turn it back. this helps keep upperband stay put. then use another ramrod to load with. Rich

[matt]

I used a small sliver of wood as a shim inserted from the back of the front band then expoxied in place with any extra cut off even with the band. That way I could remove the band and the band did not move. This was done on both sides.
Matt

[Fauch125]

I gotta say thanks. Cut a couple cardstock shims, tightened up the band perfectly. No mivement in the front sight at all. Gonna shoot it and see how point of impact looks. Will report back after range time. This was much simpler than mist of what I was considering doing.

[rachbobo]

Try a piece of a wide rubber band like broccoli is wrapped with. slide a length on both sides of the stock and slide the front band in place.
Play with thickness and it will compress holding the band in place with no damage to the wood. Then trim off what sticks out.

Bill Cheek

[rachbobo]

I forgot to add, coat the piece of rubber band with common dish washing soap. It will allow it to slide in place easily without grabbing.
Then a few squirts of water will wash away the soap letting the rubber grip the band and wood.

Bill Cheek
Cockade Rifles

[kowdok]

I have 2 Potsdams that both had loose front bands. Used a piece of a pigeon tie as a shim, worked like a champ. I did not fasten it in permanently, it's tight enough that it stays in place just fine until I disassemble it for cleaning.

[R Filbert]

Tape -Put some 200mph duct tape in the band until it's tight- been there done that! It holds just fine -to sight -just give a little twist to the band right or left and mark the barrel behind the sight and make sure it's in the same place each shot- usually doesn't move.