An Edwardian curiosity for BP shooters

josquin

josquin

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I came across this on the Kynoch website

funnel.jpg


Can't see needing it with today's smokeless powders (although it might have been useful with cordite) but it might be useful for BP.

Could also double as an ear trumpet for the hard of hearing, I suppose.

:) Stuart
 
MasterPython said:
Is that for pouring boiling water down the bore? Could be good for shooting corosive ammo.
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Yup- that's why I suggested its use with cordite, which was corrosive. Certainly fits the era in which it was designed. Maybe I post this in the Milsurp forum, since BP shooters don't really have access to the breech area anyway unless you're shooting a Sharps.

:) Stuart
 
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Cordite is NOT corrosive, it is EROSIVE. In that it burns hot and washes out rifling fairly quickly compared to alternate propellants.

what makes cordite loaded ammo corrosive are the potassium Chlorate primers which upon combustion produces potassium chloride, a salt. ;)
 
Claven2 said:
Cordite is NOT corrosive, it is EROSIVE. In that it burns hot and washes out rifling fairly quickly compared to alternate propellants.

what makes cordite loaded ammo corrosive are the potassium Chlorate primers which upon combustion produces potassium chloride, a salt. ;)
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Thanks, Claven. I stand (er, sit) corrected. Poo-poo bad for the bore in any case.

:) Stuart
 
More "utilitarian" funnels were standard equipment in the British and other Commonwealth armies for flushing out the corrosive salts - here's the galvanized iron military funnel in my collection, followed by a "period" photo showing two such funnels in use ...

funnel03.jpg


funnel02.jpg


funnel01.jpg


funnelinuse_sm.jpg


As I understand it, following a session of shooting, the entire unit would file past a station manned by armourers who had the funnels, dippers and a big cauldron of boiling water. Two pints (two dippersful) of water flushed through the bore, then off to finish cleaning and oiling the rifle. By the way, I think the preferred method of holding the rifle is being used by the chap on the left. Wouldn't want my hand where the fellow on the right has his, if I slopped some of the near-boiling water outside the funnel mouth! :eek:
 
GrantR said:
More "utilitarian" funnels were standard equipment in the British and other Commonwealth armies for flushing out the corrosive salts...
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Ahhh....I figured "Rattlesnake Jack" would chime in sooner or later. Thanks for the Compleat Gunner's Instructions, Grant. Yes, the fellow on the right would indeed be in for a nasty shock when "Water, boiling, rifle cleaning, for the use of" made an unwanted trip down the wrong side of the funnel! (Resulting in "Swearing, soldiers, for the use of" !)

:) Stuart
 
:D :D :D Excellent! The pseudo-military description I dredged up from remembering some of Spike Miligan's war memoirs, where he describes "swearing, soldiers, for the use of" emanating from one of his battery mate's tents. I must re-read those books, although most are too dog-eared and dilapidated to even handle now, they have been read so many times. I remember reading the first one (Hitler, My Part in his Downfall) as a 14 year-old choirboy- during the sermon; a VERY bad idea! - and being absolutely paralyzed with laughter. That was 40 years ago and I still enjoy 'em.

:) Stuart
 
GrantR said:
This all makes me want to drag out my Goon show recordings ... :dancingbanana:
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Neddie, ("you silly, twisted boy you") you do know that BBC was rebroadcasting lots of them on BBC7? I'm afraid I haven't been listening to or downloading them myself as I have been caught up with The News Quiz and I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. See www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/comedy/progpages/goons.shtml

I just checked the BBC7 comedy schedule and it seems they are not on at the moment but they were last fall and probably will be again.

:) Ying tong iddle i po
 
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