Lads: As I read of Colonial military equipment I see mention of tompions rather often. Some modern outfitters sell them, but seemingly only in what would be military musket calibers. Gary Zaboly has also illustrated Rogers Rangers making use of them in rainy weather. But, would one also see them used by a typical longhunter? My climate really sucks in the winter - rains a great deal, so clearly a cow's knee is called for, but a tompion would also fit in, I would think.

So, what'ca think about this one?

Col Boone

yea, yea, I know..."don't forget to remove it before you fire".... :-)

hey COL. BOONE ! i read some where in a old magazine,where a fella made a smaller version of a cows knee . he tied it to his barrel and stuck some of it down in it,he also had enough material to throw the slack over his front sight,so if he seen knee,his barrel was plugged.i think a smipler way would be to take a rball,wrap some thin leather or material around it,tie it off real tight,and use that for a tompion,of course if you use a large ball and thin patch,just get a smaller ball from one off your buddies,they won't miss it,just make sure it doesn't fit that tight you can't get it out. i don't take no responsability for anything anybody does while tryin this,but i'm gonna try it with my early lancaster,a canteen plug from avalon forge fits my bess perfectly

Well the common tompion offered today is wooden, and is the 19th century version. 18th century versions were a round ball with a wool cloth wrapped around it and sewn so that it sorta looked like a tiny badmitton shuttlecock. The cloth kept the ball from sliding down the bore, allowed it to be removed, and kept the moisture out. Most reenactors don't use them as it requires a ball to be carried and inserted into the bore, even if the musket is unloaded some don't like that. Further, you have to be sure it's a pretty obvious piece of cloth that obscures the sights or you might forget and try to fire..., not a good thing.


LD

Loyalist Dave/Chuckles - Good points, though I have not read of the cloth wrapped ball as a tompion - only the wood type, and the illustration by Zaboly in the Rogers Rangers book. Rogers is most definitely an 18th Cent account, so the wood tampions being offered may well fit in with that time period - unless what I see in the Zaboly drawing (and associated notes) is not made of wood.

Regardless, the ball in cloth idea does sound plausible and sure would work. As for avoiding the chance of firing the rifle with it in place, the cloth "streamers" involved could well eliminate that to a great degree.

I got to give this some thought, but some sort of weatherproofing of the bore is clearly called for, at least
here.

Col Boone

I know tompions were used at least through the American Civil War, but putting anything down the bore of a loaded gun that could be forgotten about in a moment of excitement seems a bit risky. How about putting a piece of oiled cloth over, not down, the muzzle, tied with a length of string? I don't think it would hurt even to shoot through it. If it weren't for not being historically correct, a piece of a rubber balloon and a rubber band would work fine.

I always hated it when my wife wanted me to pick up Tampions for her at the store. Never thought about putting one in the muzzle of my gun!

Ric - Oh, you just had to go there, didn't you..

Col Boone

Col.
As someone who has hunted in the driving rain with a flintlock, this advice may help. Actually it was brought up earlier by others...maybe in a separate thread...but if just echos their thoughts.

Even if you use a cows knee, holding your muzzle in the air (or even tipped up) gives a rivulet of rainwater a chance to run downhill along the barrel/stock and deposit itself in that nice reservoir generally occupied by priming powder.

So, if you are holding your muzzle up often enough in the rain to make a difference with your main charge, your piece won't go off anyway!

In short, keep your muzzle pointed down in a safe direction while hunting and your lock covered and you won't have trouble with ignition.

Sparks

Sparks: Good advise to take. I had also read of the "down the barrel" dribble into the pan. Generally that is how I carry the rifle, unless it is slung, when often the barrel will be pointed up. I got to watch that.

Col Boone

I think it's just as proper to carry a slung rifle barrel down. I expect to hear some opinions on this point!

Sparks

Yeah, but Sparks,
You're not too tall and the barrel of your rifle is pretty long. In your case slung barrel down could result in snow or mud packed in your muzzle. Please don't shoot a ball in my direction for pointing this out.
Hombre del Bosque

Then he jams the muzzle in the mud and rocks and voila, organic tompion!

I have slings on my hunting guns, and always carry them muzzle down when slung. The strap goes over my left shoulder. In this position, the lock area is more protected from moisture, and when you bring it up to shoot, the sling is around the arm, and is in a steadying position for a shot. When carrying unslung, the muzzle is generally pointed downwards.

I just carry mine cradled in my left arm, basically horizontal. My right hand stays over the lock protecting it. Kinda tiring but works.

I alwawys put a small dam of bee's wax on the stock and barrel joint just at the front of the lock. Tends to keep the rain from running into the pan.

the ball in a rag sounds pretty correct to me, and wrapping the rag around the front sight should deal with the problem.

Rich

Madison Grants book on hunting pouches shows what is claimed to be a tampion for a rifle.It is made with a wooden plug mounted in an antler crown.Im making one similar to it.The old solid wood cloths pins work great in 60 cals.

Mike Goodwin and Idaho - First, the notion of using a rag tied around the muzzle to both retain the tompion and warn it is there seems perfect. Mike, agree, if Madison Grant says it is a tompion then in my book IT IS JUST THAT. At least we have one period example to go from.

Col Boone