How did they keep balls from creeping forward riding a horse

[Tinpan58]

I some times ride my motorcycle to the range in the local mountains only to find when I get their some of the ball have creep forward in the cylinders. One time several of the balls even fell out. If this happens on a motorcycle how did they ride a horse all day run around jumping in and out of trenches, it had to be a big problem for them. When I clean my cylinders I lightly oil the chambers before I load them I swab them out with rubbing alcohol. I have read where people say stonewall Jackson's gun was found and that the chambers were sealed with candle wax presumably to keep moisture out, but could it be it also keep the balls from creeping forward. What I have done the last couple of times is I got a long candle stick shave it down a little bit so it will fit in the cylinder hole and just twist it back and forth a little to wax the cylinder walls like you would wax the top of a surf board to make your feet not slip, so far it seems to work the jury is still out on that. So what did they do or what do you do. Thanks

 

[Varob]

I think back in the old days they used a piece of cloth or paper to hold the ball in place.

 

[KodiakBeer]

The title made me want to comment that men were more stoic back in the day...

However, upon reading the text I just doubt riding a horse would affect a revolver in the same way the intense vibration of a motorcycle would. I think they used wax in the cylinders primarily to prevent chain firing, though keeping moisture out was probably a consideration as well.

 

[col.lemat]

anticreep

If I am going to shoot a day or so later I use shellac after seating tight balls,also shelac the nipples after capping. I also have used wax but it seems to not work as good as a good shellacing. I shoot the same pistol as J.E.B Stuart and T.J. Jackson

 

[BHP FAN]

use the right size.

 

[Busyhands94]

they might have poured something over them like beeswax. candle wax should do just fine if you want to give it a try. maybe cast them with slightly harder lead, or get tighter fitting balls. i use .454s in mine. I would suggest using tighter fitting balls and if that doesn't work keep trying stuff.

 

[Jaymo]

Keep your weight on your feet in the stirrups.

Shellac, huh? Never thought about that. You could even put lube over the shellac, after the shellac dries. If you are one of those(I am) who use lube over the balls

 

[junkman_01]

Tinpan58 wrote:

I have read where people say stonewall Jackson's gun was found and that the chambers were sealed with candle wax presumably to keep moisture out, but could it be it also keep the balls from creeping forward.

It was Robert E. Lee's revolver that you read about. The problem is you are using the wrong size balls for that gun. Use larger balls.

 

[Tinpan58]

Never used anything but.454 Hornady balls in my 58s, and the constant vibration on my sportster could be a big factor the range I goto is 30mi frwy 14mi mountain road the last mi is a crummy road. col. lemat probably knows this range burro in azusa ca, I will check out the shellac idea sounds interesting. I don’t have the same prob with the .36 remy or 1851 probably do to the lighter balls and more surface area in the chamber, I don’t know that i would go to .457s even t hough that would increase the surface area, I get a good ring with the .454s and my guns are dialed in for them. Back in the day after you fire a cylinder no problem the fowling will hold them in but loading up a clean gun jumping on your horse and a ball that you need isn't their because it fell out or your cylinder or the cylinder won’t turn because a ball is sticking out a bit, had to be more then just a freak occurrence I would think? But if nothing has been written about it I could be wrong?

 

[Busyhands94]

remember, you can borrow some clear nail polish from the wife or mum, it's for strengthening the nails. i use it to seal caps in my Super Companion and i can shoot that pistol underwater.

 

[Mike1234567]

Tighter underwear.

 

[J.A.D.]

My juvenile self will refrain from comment. Yeah, I'm definitely going to not make any jokes.

 

[BHP FAN]

Just use .457's.

 

[T Bran]

Maybe have an inverted holster made up.
T

 

[George Mabry]

I've been getting good results with .457s in my '58. I would try going to the slightly larger ball before trying the other options.

 

[ILikeLead]

Off the subject, but I also read somewhere that lard was used to fill the chambers ahead of loads. Mainly to prevent chain-fire. I learned this after having my own chain fire...

 

[junkman_01]

Most chain fires occur from the rear due to ill fitting caps.

 

[45-70 Ranger]

Being a horsman myself, I've ridden many a mile with a loaded '51 Navy or 2nd Mod Dragoon and never had a problem. Worked a ranch for years and pounded across some rough counrty at times. Also did lots of mounted reanactments. Even the blank loads of toilet paper covered chambers never disloged on me. Never carried a BP revolver on a bike though. Gut reaction; vibration of the bike....

 

[Tinpan58]

Thanks for the response every one, If ranger has ridding a horse that long with his bp powder guns it most likely is the vibration on the bike. Like I said so far the candle stick thing is working, it is quick and easy so I will probably keep doing that for awhile and see how it goes. Thanks again

 

[bigmouth]

J.A.D., I'm with U. The title of the thread opened up imagination & many memories & I had some good come-backs also. After I opened it, decided to put this gun back together & crash. What a waste of good humour!

 

[Armored farmer]

For one thing, horses don't jar your balls as much as some would think. One quickly learns to use his legs as shock absorbers to smooth out the ride.
If you are out for a ride and your balls fall out, you should dismount...find your balls..reinsert them..and continue your journey on foot. If your ride is so rough as to dislodge your balls then think of the damage you could be doing to your gun.
A properly adjusted saddle will significantly help smooth out your ride and keep your balls in place.

 

[YumaKid]

Antoher direct answer like ranger's:

I have one horse (Arab, sometimes spooky) that can rattle fillings in my teeth when he breaks into a trot on the way "home". Never had a problem carrying the 7-1/2" Remington since I switched to .454" diameter Hornady round balls.
(Suppressing the kid in me - won't say anything about getting a pillow to place between your "jewels" and the saddle)
Haven't yet taken the 5-1/2" Remmie on a ride, will try it out soon, now that the heat wave has broken. Both revolvers are Pietta manufactured.

So, include me in the "try larger balls" camp.
(Suppressing the kid in me again... I'm talking about the lead things rammed into the chamber after dumping your powder)

 

[tmccray45]

kbbailey, what a succinct, well written response to this age-old question. (I constantly learn a lot from this forum.)

 

[AKElroy]

It was Robert E. Lee's revolver that you read about. The problem is you are using the wrong size balls for that gun. Use larger balls.

+1 to the OP needing bigger balls, although given this thread's title's brave admission, one would think he is not lacking. Now can we move on to properly seated & sized nipples?

 

[AKElroy]

As for dripping melted candle wax onto the seated balls, this may have real utility. However, like many things done for the first time, the novice may feel as though he has made a terrible mistake at first. Rest assured, that uncomfortableness will subside and the usefullness of the wax will become apparent when cooled.