Traditional Muzzleloading Association

Craftsmanship => Accoutrements => Topic started by: Doug Miller on July 04, 2008, 05:45:12 PM

Title: wooden powder measures
Post by: Doug Miller on July 04, 2008, 05:45:12 PM

Hello all,
          Hope everyone is having a safe and relaxing 4th.
         Was wondering if anyone has heard of a wooden powder measure? Any pictures or documentation? I'm familiar with and have made several cane measures and of course antler ones. It just seems odd that you never hear or see one made of hard wood. I haven't anyway. Any info or pics would be greatly appreciated.

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Post by: mike rumping on July 04, 2008, 09:10:33 PM

might be the wood might swell?

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Post by: Ohio Joe on July 04, 2008, 10:12:08 PM

I've made a few wooden powder measurers.  I put a brass liner in them and they work very well.  I don't know if there is any documentation on them, but it wouldn't surprise me if some old timers may have whittled a few out.

I'll post a picture here soon of a few I've made if I can find them?

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Post by: oomcurt on July 05, 2008, 01:22:11 AM

Just my two cents...

Fwiw, I have made a bunch of wooden ones. Some I kept, others I gave as gifts. Never had any swell, but then I live in a dry state, humidity wise. Made 'em out of maple. Now, the way I do it is to use a standard adjustabe powder measure, find a drill bit that just fits the inside diameter of it and measure the depth. A drill press is almost a necessity for accuracy. Sure, you have to play around a bit, but once you get the hang of it, it is fairly simple. The outside you can make almost any shape you desire. Are they historically accurate? I have no idea...but it works for me. Re using brass...I doubt if any of the old trappers in the Rocky Mtn's. used brass...where would they get it from...and if the did get some..if they lost it...either antler or wood is my guess.

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Post by: Trois Castors on July 05, 2008, 08:02:21 AM

Quote from: "oomcurt"

I live in a dry state, humidity wise. Made 'em out of maple.

6 Beavers has made a few out of cherry,I think.
I find our province humid.....

Regards,

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Post by: Two Steps on July 06, 2008, 11:24:45 AM

Quote

Was wondering if anyone has heard of a wooden powder measure? Any pictures or documentation?

Doug...I can't post any pictures of them     but there are several in the Madison Grant book, 'The KY Rifle Hunting Pouch'.  The only two that I can come with quickly are plates #37 & #75.
Al

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Post by: Voyageur on July 06, 2008, 03:23:04 PM

;)

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Post by: Ohio Joe on July 06, 2008, 06:15:12 PM

Well I found two I made some years back out of walnut.  They have brass liners in them.  The little one throws 35 grns 3fg, and the larger one throws 55 grns 3fg.

I figure what the heck...  If the folks that shoot those centerfires are going to leave their spent brass laying around, I'll just get the ones that look like they have potential as a liner.
(http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll240/JoethebowM/100_0216.jpg)

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Post by: Doug Miller on July 06, 2008, 06:59:31 PM

you guys have talked me into it. I can age them to look as old as I want. Already have some ideas floating around.  Thanks for the book reference Two Steps. also nice looking measures Joe. Voyageur, the only reason I use a bench is to sit down on if I actually hit something!

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Post by: tg on July 06, 2008, 08:27:14 PM

I made a few  some years bck oput of maple and walnut i stained them as I wanted then mixed up some clear epoxy and painted on a coat inside and out, this puts a durable rock hard. water resistant finish on them, I don't have any left but I generaly made them in a cylindrical shape 3-5 inches long and 3/4-1 inch across as I recall.

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Post by: Three Hawks on July 07, 2008, 01:43:52 PM

The amount of swelling and shrinking in wood due to moisture is going to be almost unmeasurable in a bit of wood the size needed for a powder measure.  

Same for any natural material such as an antler tip, horn tip, or a piece of bone.  I've seen a measure made of an Eagle's wing bone. I imagine that nearly anything that is or could be made hollow would be a good powder measure.  

Mine is a horn tip that I put some beeswax into then scraped out bit by bit until it measures 54 grains 3f for my rifle.  

Three Hawks