91
The Campfire / Re: What's Everyone Doing?
« Last post by No Powder on February 26, 2026, 10:48:12 AM »Thank you Rob. I got that outer locking part off and I'm ready to apply the True Oil to my ramrod.
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Recent Posts
92
The Campfire / Re: What's Everyone Doing?
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 26, 2026, 06:26:35 AM »I just found this thread. Looks like a neat one to read seeing what others are doing.
My kitty LOVES me more recently because I didn't let him stay outside for very long.
He is tired of the cold weather too...!! Hurry up warmer weather...!
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Yeah, me too - had the second blizzard this year a few dayze ago, not fun with a few feet of snow still hanging around!
93
The Campfire / Re: What's Everyone Doing?
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 26, 2026, 06:23:17 AM »Well I was going to do do something muzzleloading today, but it doesn't look like it's gonna happen. Wanted to put some Tru Oil on a ramrod. The bottle has one of those lids on that have to be pushed down on to open. Try as I may , I couldn't get that lid off no way. Wondering if I submerge the lid in some hot water if that might loosen it up? By the way Mark, that's a good job of taking care of those pets.
Remove the outer locking cap - it's useless - grab the actual remaining cap with vise grips; it'll open up.
I use a lot of Tru-Oil and first thing I do with a new bottle is to remove the outer locking cap, then puncture a 3/32" or so hole in the middle of the mouth foil seal - this helps keep the oil fresh. When finished using, wipe off the top and threads before replacing the cap. I always warm up the oil by putting the bottle into a cup of very warm water - helps flow the oil onto the wood.
94
People of the Times / 2/25/1836: Colt patents the "gun that won the West"
« Last post by Craig Tx on February 25, 2026, 09:14:12 AM »On this day in 1836, Samuel Colt, of Hartford, Connecticut, patented the Colt revolver.
This invention, along with windmills and barbed wire, brought order to the Great Plains. It was eventually produced in numerous models, the most famous being that of 1871. In 1839 the Republic of Texas ordered 180 of the .36 caliber holster models for the Texas Navy. The Texas Rangers gave the Colt revolver its reputation as a weapon ideally suited for mounted combat. Frederick Law Olmsted remarked that "there were probably as many revolvers in Texas as there were males."
Craig's Note: This would be the Paterson Colt.
This invention, along with windmills and barbed wire, brought order to the Great Plains. It was eventually produced in numerous models, the most famous being that of 1871. In 1839 the Republic of Texas ordered 180 of the .36 caliber holster models for the Texas Navy. The Texas Rangers gave the Colt revolver its reputation as a weapon ideally suited for mounted combat. Frederick Law Olmsted remarked that "there were probably as many revolvers in Texas as there were males."
Craig's Note: This would be the Paterson Colt.
95
The Campfire / Re: What's Everyone Doing?
« Last post by No Powder on February 25, 2026, 02:26:24 AM »Well I was going to do do something muzzleloading today, but it doesn't look like it's gonna happen. Wanted to put some Tru Oil on a ramrod. The bottle has one of those lids on that have to be pushed down on to open. Try as I may , I couldn't get that lid off no way. Wondering if I submerge the lid in some hot water if that might loosen it up? By the way Mark, that's a good job of taking care of those pets.
96
The Campfire / Re: What's Everyone Doing?
« Last post by BlackPowderManiacShooter on February 24, 2026, 11:35:46 PM »I just found this thread. Looks like a neat one to read seeing what others are doing.
My kitty LOVES me more recently because I didn't let him stay outside for very long.
He is tired of the cold weather too...!! Hurry up warmer weather...!
[ Invalid Attachment ]
My kitty LOVES me more recently because I didn't let him stay outside for very long.
He is tired of the cold weather too...!! Hurry up warmer weather...!
[ Invalid Attachment ]
97
People of the Times / 2/24/1836: Travis pens his famous letter from the Alamo
« Last post by Craig Tx on February 24, 2026, 09:09:56 AM »On this day in 1836, William Barret Travis, commanding the Texans under attack in the Alamo, wrote his famous letter addressed "To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World."
In the letter, he pledged that he would "never surrender or retreat" and swore "Victory or Death." The predominant message, however, was an entreaty for help: "I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch." Travis knew that his men, besieged by Mexican forces under Mart?n Perfecto de Cos, could not hold out long without reinforcements. Inspired by his letter, more troops did make their way to San Antonio, but too few and too late to avert disaster. Travis was among the first to die in the battle of the Alamo, on March 6.
In the letter, he pledged that he would "never surrender or retreat" and swore "Victory or Death." The predominant message, however, was an entreaty for help: "I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch." Travis knew that his men, besieged by Mexican forces under Mart?n Perfecto de Cos, could not hold out long without reinforcements. Inspired by his letter, more troops did make their way to San Antonio, but too few and too late to avert disaster. Travis was among the first to die in the battle of the Alamo, on March 6.
98
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by KDubs on February 24, 2026, 07:42:18 AM »Hope it shows good results in Jake's new video
I mentioned I use alder chips although they are not buckthorn alder, some kind of Pacific alder, it still works quite well but it takes time to char it then pulverize it in my mill and it's a rather dirty process.
If I can get air float charcoal of good quality I'd certainly do that instead.
I haven't used the skylighter air float stuff , mostly out of ignorance I suppose.
Kevin
I mentioned I use alder chips although they are not buckthorn alder, some kind of Pacific alder, it still works quite well but it takes time to char it then pulverize it in my mill and it's a rather dirty process.
If I can get air float charcoal of good quality I'd certainly do that instead.
I haven't used the skylighter air float stuff , mostly out of ignorance I suppose.
Kevin
99
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by Rob DiStefano on February 24, 2026, 06:00:35 AM »Paulownia is a great hardwood that can be almost as light as balsa and grows about 30 feet in a year. An Asian native "weed wood" but we grow it here in the states as well and I used to make electric solid body guitars out of it. Makes awesome charcoal because it's as lightweight a hardwood as anyone can readily find.
100
Making the Holy Black Powder / Re: Making 18th and 19th Century Gun Powder
« Last post by KDubs on February 24, 2026, 05:47:52 AM »http://youtube.com/post/UgkxEMLly2tLIDhcXj59G77w5-4-DWC35yfD?si=vNcytXRMuqE7euXV
Well stay tuned I guess, looks like a new video coming
I usually make my own charcoal but .... anything that makes it easier I'm willing to try.
Kevin
Well stay tuned I guess, looks like a new video coming
I usually make my own charcoal but .... anything that makes it easier I'm willing to try.
Kevin