Nipple wrench

[Pvt Burt]

I have a quick question, if you don't happen to have a nipple wrench,what would you recommend using to remove the nipple an Armi Sport 1853 Enfield
Thanks

[johan_steele]

Buy a nipple wrench; they are less than $10 and you will use it alot at home. They are available at almost every sutler. Failing that if you are willing to be gentle use a pair of needle nose pliers to work the nipple loose enough to remove w/ your hands.

[Pvt Burt]

thanks, rather that risk it, I have a reenactment coming in about a week. I will go shopping then, I appreciate the quick answer

[johan_steele]

Barry, Craig L., The Civil War Musket: A Handbook for Historical Accuracy-Lock, Stock and Barrel, Watchdog Press, 2006.

Pick it up if you see it; good investment.

I don't know what your issue w/ the Armi-Sport might be but the biggest issue I know of is improper or incomplete cleaning. Here is an article I wrote for a newsletter a couple years ago. BTW anyone tells you rust is authentic... has absolutely no idea what they are talking about.

The proper care and feeding of a Civil War Reproduction Rifle Musket
Shane Christen

I have recently been asked repeatedly how to properly clean a rifle after use in a Living History or re-enactment. My instructions are as follows.
In the field there are two ways you can go about cleaning the black powder fouling out of your weapon.

1. Take a dipper and fill w/ water, then place said dipper over fire until it is hot... hotter the better. Pour scalding water down the barrel, the inside of the barrel being the preferred locale. It is suggested that you do this w/ the weapon leaning against a tree or cracker box so your hands don't get burned by either the water or the soon to be quite warm barrel. Repeat the process until water runs clean out of the nipple. Then using dry patches on your ramrod proceed to wipe the barrel clean. Once this is accomplished make certain that your weapon is dry, inside and out.

2. If you have a brass brush and mop use the brush to loosen and get the majority of fouling out of your barrel then use the mop to clean out the barrel... NOTE: DO NOT CONFUSE POWDER WATER W/ COFFEE. It's been done, and while quite amusing to watch... can be detrimental to the health if the victim of the prank lacks a sense of humor. Use dry patches to dry the barrel and remember to wipe down the weapon.

When you get home it’s time to break out the toolbox as it's time for a thorough cleaning. Break down the weapon to it's component parts (remove the bands, barrel, butt plate trigger guard, ramrod, lock… I do mean broken down) and lay them out on a table... preferably on top of white newsprint so the wife doesn't have to ask why you got oil all over her kitchen table. Trust me guys, use the newsprint and don’t look twice at the bathroom towels either. As you break down the weapon wipe down each metal item w/ an oil cloth. Take the barrel to the bathroom, remove the toilet tank cover and set the barrel into the tank breach first.

Take your ramrod or a cleaning rod and attach a mop, soak the mop in Hoppes Black Powder solvent or an equivalent and start swabbing out the barrel, if done properly there should be some good suction action going on. Repeat the process until the barrel is clean. Don't forget to check the ceiling height in the bathroom or you’ll end up telling your wife you were probing for electrical wiring. Don't do this part when the wife is home... trust me. After cleaning and drying the inside of the barrel; coat the barrel with Hoppes lubricant. Make certain to wipe excess water from the floor and put the dirty towels into the laundry ASAP... ideally before the wife returns and asks what in the hell you've done to her nice towels.

If the weapon is in need of polish, ash and spit work well. But in an effort to keep the wife from asking what you're doing w/ ash in her living room use Never Dull to polish the metal surfaces. Never Dull works well and you can work while watching a football game.

Take a bit of linseed oil, enough to fill your hand and wipe down the stock, pay particular attention to nicks and dings as the linseed oil will help protect the stock. Once the oil is dry it’s a good idea to run a cloth over the stock to pick up excess oil. I do this at least once per season, though I know others who do so after every event.

Now it's time to start putting the beautiful piece of art back together. I usually soak a patch w/ gun oil and lightly coat each screw and band prior to putting her back together. When I get to the lock I drop just three drops of sewing machine oil on the moving parts to keep them lubricated. Don’t go crazy with oil in the workings of the lock or you’ll end up with a mess.

Once your lovely weapon has been put all back together I suggest wiping down the whole thing with a silicone impregnated cloth. If you have a leather sling I suggest you rub that down with good boot oil. Do this at least once per season or you’ll significantly shorten the life of the sling.
Store her either in a gunsafe, guncabinet or a closet. Don't store in a cloth or plastic guncase as that encourages rust, you want her to be able to breath.