Dumb question... about SMLE pull through

[dauph197]

Hi guys,

Just receive an original pull through to be stored in the butt stock of my SMLE. How this thing is supposed to be use? Don't get me wrong, I know how to use a pull through to clean a weapon but how to use this one the way it is made? There are three loops, how do we use them? In the military, we have tons of tools specifically design for some usage but we always use them in a wrong way. I would like to understand why the pull through is made like this.

Also, what piece of cloth was use in WWI and WWII to clean the barrel? I saw an "original" No4 MkI cleaning kit on Ebay. It was stating "one 4X2 flanalette bore cleaning patche". Was this correct? My guess is we place the piece of cloth in a loop and that's it.

Anyway, if you know the standard procedure that was taught, I would like to know it.

Martin

 

[Rule 303]

The pull through is used from the breech end out to the barrel end.

There are three loops. Insert a flannel 4 x 2 into the middle loop. The last loop is referred to as the Armourer's loop, used by an Armourer to clear your barrel after you screwed up somehow and jammed 2 or more 4 x 2s in the barrel.

The round brass item at the end opposite the loops is called the weight.

The weight is dropped into the breech and, by gravity, allowed to pass out the barrel end.

Wrapping the weight around one's fist and taking up the slack, the pull through is withdrawn using a swift straight motion, avoiding muzzle wear.

Oiled or dry patches are used until the barrel is clean. For storage, barrel should be left oiled.

BTW: A favourite trick question posed to new recruits was "What is the weight of a pullthrough?"

 

[bigedp51]

dauph197

At the top of this forum is the link I posted below, there are many books and manuals on the Enfield rifle that I and others donated. They are right at your finger tips and all you have to do is click your mouse for a wealth of Enfield information.
The bottom link below covers your question, when it came time to remover the copper the armourers would mix up a batch of bore cleaner and either the armourers or the troops under the eye of an armourer would remover the copper. What I'm getting at is by military standards we tend to over clean our bores, normally all that was done after shooting was to pore boiling water down the bore which removed the corrosive primer salts and the carbon. Then the pull through was used with an oiled patch to protect the bore. In one of the manuals I donated the Armoures would put a bore gauge in the barrel and if the gauge failed to pass through the bore it was time to remove the copper. I have one of these gauges and after I "thought" I had the bore clean the gauge still failed to pass through the bore I gave it another application of foam bore cleaner and let it soak over night. the next day the gauge passed through the bore.

Lee Enfield On-line Knowledge Libraries (Index of Articles)
http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=34880

How to wrap an Enfield pull-through and steps for Enfield care & cleaning
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=178-How-to-wrap-an-Enfield-pull-through

Below, a No.4 Enfield after firing 100 rounds using foam bore cleaner and no scrubbing the bore with a copper brush. (and leaving the pull through in its plastic bag)

NOTE: In a milsurp a frosted or pitted bore will "eat" your copper bore brush and give you a false copper reading. The foam bore cleaner was developed by the Finnish military for cleaning field pieces to small arms.

Below, before and after on a large field piece just using foam bore cleaner and "NO" brushing.

 

[dauph197]

Thanks guys, this is the information I was looking for.

Martin

 

[Gibbs505]

dauph197

At the top of this forum is the link I posted below, there are many books and manuals on the Enfield rifle that I and others donated. They are right at your finger tips and all you have to do is click your mouse for a wealth of Enfield information.
The bottom link below covers your question, when it came time to remover the copper the armourers would mix up a batch of bore cleaner and either the armourers or the troops under the eye of an armourer would remover the copper. What I'm getting at is by military standards we tend to over clean our bores, normally all that was done after shooting was to pore boiling water down the bore which removed the corrosive primer salts and the carbon. Then the pull through was used with an oiled patch to protect the bore. In one of the manuals I donated the Armoures would put a bore gauge in the barrel and if the gauge failed to pass through the bore it was time to remove the copper. I have one of these gauges and after I "thought" I had the bore clean the gauge still failed to pass through the bore I gave it another application of foam bore cleaner and let it soak over night. the next day the gauge passed through the bore.

Lee Enfield On-line Knowledge Libraries (Index of Articles)
http://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=34880

How to wrap an Enfield pull-through and steps for Enfield care & cleaning
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=178-How-to-wrap-an-Enfield-pull-through

Below, a No.4 Enfield after firing 100 rounds using foam bore cleaner and no scrubbing the bore with a copper brush. (and leaving the pull through in its plastic bag)

NOTE: In a milsurp a frosted or pitted bore will "eat" your copper bore brush and give you a false copper reading. The foam bore cleaner was developed by the Finnish military for cleaning field pieces to small arms.

Below, before and after on a large field piece just using foam bore cleaner and "NO" brushing.

What is this foam bore cleaner? Can we get it?

 

[buffdog]

.
One of the problems with the pull through is that the cord can pick up dirt and other crap. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get a straight pull with this cleaning method, because the rifle is usually held with the butt on the ground and the weak hand gripping the forestock near the muzzle. The strong hand usually is used to pull the pull through from the chamber to the muzzle.

The problem is that the cord on the pull through can exit at an angle to the bore, and thus wear against the rifling at the muzzle of the barrel. A dirty pull through cord acts as an abrasive, and if used often, the rifling will be worn away, resulting in the rifle being inaccurate.

It is always best to clean a rifle from the chamber end toward the muzzle with a solid cleaning rod.

 

[dauph197]

.
One of the problems with the pull through is that the cord can pick up dirt and other crap. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to get a straight pull with this cleaning method, because the rifle is usually held with the butt on the ground and the weak hand gripping the forestock near the muzzle. The strong hand usually is used to pull the pull through from the chamber to the muzzle.

The problem is that the cord on the pull through can exit at an angle to the bore, and thus wear against the rifling at the muzzle of the barrel. A dirty pull through cord acts as an abrasive, and if used often, the rifling will be worn away, resulting in the rifle being inaccurate.

It is always best to clean a rifle from the chamber end toward the muzzle with a solid cleaning rod.

I know this pull through may not be the best thing... in fact, my question is more to understand how it was used and why it was design like it is. I won't use it to clean my gun but I think you begin to know me very well and the only reason why I'm buying this stuff, is to equip each and every of my Lee Enfield with the field equipment they had during the war. So, I have the brass oiler and the pull through in each of my 5 Lee Enfields (not bad for someone who didn't have a single one when I join this forum!). I do not have a single original one, they are or they will be restored.

I am studying ethnology, so I'm interested in the "immaterial" culture, the know-how. I try to understand things by doing it myself. I can't believe that I found this interest so late. I would have try to get some knowledge from our veterans. Now, they are only few to stay alive and some of them just don't want to talk about this period of their live. Who can blame them for this... Nowadays, in the military, we are loosing our Heritage for many reasons. I hope to be able to save some of these traditions. In my mind, having a great collection of weapons is fantastic but if we don't know how they were used and for what reason, this weapons are just inert items. One we know how they were used, how they were made, these things become more alive to me. We call it the "social life of things".

Have to go...

Martin

 

[bigedp51]

What is this foam bore cleaner? Can we get it?

Gunslick Cleaning Products Promotional video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY6yIsDto30

DIY Cleaning a Rifle Bore With Wipe Out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkuzKRaiKKw

Forrest Foam Bore Clean On Steyr 6.5x55 (NOTE: This is the original product made in Finland, it is patented so all other foam cleaners are made under licence agreement)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxZcEL9zUNo

WIPE-OUT ™
THE WORLDS ONLY BRUSHLESS BORE CLEANER
http://www.sharpshootr.com/wipeout.htm

CLEANING WITH BREAK-FREE BORE CLEANING FOAM
http://www.weaponevolution.com/forum/showthread.php?1605-CLEANING-WITH-BREAK-FREE-BORE-CLEANING-FOAM

foam bore cleaner
https://www.google.com/#q=foam+bore+cleaner&start=10

Below a new Savage button rifled barrel at the throat and 6 inches from muzzle, and a good reason to use foam bore cleaner.

NOTE: If used on a M1 the gas tube will need to be cleaned out after using the foam to prevent clogging the the piston when it dries.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

Bit of a trivial question here . Are these things made of Hemp ?

Grizz