Any Old Gun Experts out there?

+1 from me, too

The later .577s were well above that in groove diameter - difficult to measure owing to the 3-groove profile. My Snider Mk.III, probably from about 1870, was an actual .592", still with the 78" twist. But I think the process had probaby changed for the steel barrel models.

It used sights that appeared exactly similar to those described in the article - the description of their precision appears exaggerated when compared to modern open sights - I used to think they looked like the Great Pyramid viewed through a railway cutting.

Since almost any propellant burn would blow the bullet out of the Enfield barrel, it seems likely the unloading worm would only have been required when battle-stress caused the soldier to omit pouring the powder before loading the bullet. Anybody know if every soldier carried one of these tools, or would he have had to go to an NCO to get his rifle cleared - assuming he survived the action... >

Just to demonstrate my ignorance … I admit that had to look this up

**LINK**

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minié_rifle

Every day is a school-day !

MichaelG.

Before 1914 that clever chap 'Anon' described modern war as being 'Months of boredom punctuated by moments of extreme terror.' He was right, to the extent that many surviving military small-arms were never fired in anger. Or at all! But lots of loading and unloading go on.

I think the wad-clearer was much used in peacetime because it's often necessary for the military to unload guns without firing them. Dangerous for guns to be loaded when not needed, so steps were taken to make them safe. Men finishing guard duty, wet rifles, range misfires, double loading, drill, and stupidity all provide reasons for unloading guns. Even in war-time, guns are often loaded and not fired. Then powder has to be replaced in case it's got damp or compacted, and the gun unloaded to go into camp.

Long range sights were crude because individuals weren't targetted with them. Musketry was the art of firing as a group, usually at other groups, and under command. Soldiers were discouraged from firing at whatever took their fancy unless skirmishing. Long range sights allowed a commander to pepper remote area targets such as a crossroads or distant cluster of staff-officers. The tactic has been obsolete since the Boer War.

Dave

Michael G, try Minie Ball.

Robert Butler

Edited By Robert Butler on 08/11/2021 18:19:29

Michael tried to delete my post, mustn't be so impetuous and read your post fully

Robert Butler

.

Thank you, Robert

MichaelG

Unfortunately, that didn't help Major-General John Sedgwick

Rob

Links to https://www.phrases.org.uk/famous-last-words/john-sedgwick.html

Hi All,

I am not sure what the odds are on finding ANOTHER early gun tool within a month of the first one?

Went over to Weymouth to buy a couple of micrometer sets from a guy on FaceBook, asked if he had anything else and he showed me several crates of mostly junk but in with it was this tool and the other items listed below which I am pretty ignorant about and would welcome any help. I think it is all gun related.

Will add the other items when I have done the pics.

Cheers, Martin

Hi All,

Here are the pics of the next item which I think is part of the lock assembly from perhaps a pistol. Sadly I cannot make out the scripted signature, sorry about the out of focus close up!

Hi All,

The third item is I am sure a gunsight, possibly not complete; I have no idea what it would fit.

Cheers, Martin

Hi all,

Last item is this one, Only thing I can think of is some sort of adjuster for windage or elevation?

Brass plate is marked "inches per 25 yds".

Cheers, Martin

The TZ type rear sight looks complete to me...was a standard target shooting item, maybe still is...The last 'double clamp' thing is what used to be called a 'foresight sett' and basically bends the foresight blade according to the pressure of the threads.

see here for TZ.https://www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=AJP+mod.+TZ+rear+sight&fir=P-IfbaKOZ-Lk4M%252C3zUG5wdapoR5DM%252C_%253BiejCL6f-9eUY3M%252C3zUG5wdapoR5DM%252C_%253Blf157Ps-HKkKhM%252C3zUG5wdapoR5DM%252C_%253B4_YW3qsr7I-zjM%252C3zUG5wdapoR5DM%252C_%253BextLkr9wO661VM%252C_7mkdutD-p5LEM%252C_%253BvjRsOjJIBF7lGM%252C_7mkdutD-p5LEM%252C_%253BgqfthPydg4ERPM%252C9FjUU6CTcMnxUM%252C_%253BCVykKs2TvAXd4M%252C88FeKAr7Lr-IrM%252C_%253BzCIviFMtZOLVZM%252CR3PDGA19rpYmgM%252C_%253BK0yjM4NFSeZD3M%252Cjrlx29QEsrqY3M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kRJquU4u70IlPEjsiJL0_XSahoOOw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiY87mOj9f0AhVIDuwKHbDTAZoQjJkEegQIAhAC&biw=1280&bih=809&dpr=1.25

Hi Bob,

Closer examination of the 'double clamp' thing reveals this so you are certainly correct.

Not sure if the other marks tell us more?

Cheers, Martin

I guessed the third item, Model TZ, was AJ Parker, and found he made 'Twin Zero' Aperture sights. See this page.

I think the last item is for centring backsights and maybe foresights that sit in a dovetail across the barrel.

Hi All,

The definitive answer for the other multi tool shown above is this:

"Serjeants Pattern #4, adopted in 1858. These were for the Pattern 1853 Enfield range of muzzle loading longarms. It is missing the worm, which is a pity, however it does have nice & matching militia unit markings which are seldom encountered."

Apparently there were two versions with differing lengths to the screwdriver section, this is the more common shorter version.

Cheers, Martin

The 'double-clamp' item is undoubtedly an Alfred J. Parker foresight adjuster for a Lee-Enfield. If the '03' is a date, then it'll presumably be MLE or CLLE models, otherwise and maybe more likely the much more common SMLE used in WW1 and WW2 until superseded by the No.4. It shifts the dovetailed block incorporating the foresight blade sideways rather than bending it.

To use it on the SMLE required removal of the rifle's nosecap in order for the adjusting screws to be able to get at the foresight in its dovetail. This was fiddly to do in the field or on the range, and risked losing bits like the nosecap muzzle bedding pad and/or spring, and/or securing screw in the long grass! Later rifle models had windows cut in the foresight protector so you could do it without that fuss, but it was still something done by the unit armourer, not Tommy.

Edited By Mick B1 on 13/12/2021 22:36:32

MIck B1,

Many thanks for that useful info, much appreciated.

The item is now on its way to its new owner, clearly much prized my military types!

The multi tool is doing well beyond my wildest expectations!

Cheers, Martin