Loaded M1812 Musket Extraction Ideas

[GF97]

I picked up a nice M1812 made in 1816 and there is a ball in the bore. I used a snapon snake camera and it sure looks like the flower of a paper cartridge. I know I could just get a ball puller, but does anyone have an idea of how to get it out without destroying it given that it is a relatively loose fit? I understand it is a long shot that it could be an original cartridge but part of me wants to see what comes out in an undamaged state. Also is it dangerous to life and limb or the firearm to leave it since I don't wish to fire it?

 

[johan_steele]

An air compressor wand at the nipple might push it

 

[Story]

Also is it dangerous to life and limb or the firearm to leave it since I don't wish to fire it?

Yes.

 

[James Brenner]

Is it flint or percussion? If flint, your other option besides a ball puller is to have a gunsmith remove the breech and push the ball out. Don't try doing it yourself if you don't have a breech plug wrench.

 

[UCVRelics]

I picked up a nice M1812 made in 1816 and there is a ball in the bore. I used a snapon snake camera and it sure looks like the flower of a paper cartridge. I know I could just get a ball puller, but does anyone have an idea of how to get it out without destroying it given that it is a relatively loose fit? I understand it is a long shot that it could be an original cartridge but part of me wants to see what comes out in an undamaged state. Also is it dangerous to life and limb or the firearm to leave it since I don't wish to fire it?

If you could post some photos of the breech end so we can see if its a flint or conversion. Its not going to go off so no worries there.

 

[GF97]

It's a flint. Air moves past it so I would assume I am stuck using a ball puller as I really don't want to mess with the breech plug. Should I put oil down the barrel to assist on the way out or is that unnecessary given the loose fit?

 

[Booner]

Given that black powder doesn't degrade over time, I'd put a toothpick into the flash hole to seal it, set the musket on its butt and then put a few once's of oil down the barrel and let it set for at least a day. Then pull the ball out and remove the toothpick and clean everything.

Granted, I'm being overly cautious here, but I've been "playing" with black powder for 40+ years, and I have a lot of respect as to what it can do. If you're going to pull the ball out, mount the ramrod into a vice and then pull the musket by the butt section. In that manner, you don't have any body parts over the end of the muzzle.

My question to you--If your think that the musket is loaded, then why is there a flint in the hammer?

 

[GF97]

Given that black powder doesn't degrade over time, I'd put a toothpick into the flash hole to seal it, set the musket on its butt and then put a few once's of oil down the barrel and let it set for at least a day. Then pull the ball out and remove the toothpick and clean everything.

Granted, I'm being overly cautious here, but I've been "playing" with black powder for 40+ years, and I have a lot of respect as to what it can do. If you're going to pull the ball out, mount the ramrod into a vice and then pull the musket by the butt section. In that manner, you don't have any body parts over the end of the muzzle.

My question to you--If your think that the musket is loaded, then why is there a flint in the hammer?

Thanks I will give it a shot. Overly cautious isn't a bad thing more often than not. And to answer your question the flint was in it when I got and I wasn't concerned since I would have to manipulate the frizzen and actively squeeze the trigger to generate a spark.

 

[Booner]

Thanks I will give it a shot. Overly cautious isn't a bad thing more often than not. And to answer your question the flint was in it when I got and I wasn't concerned since I would have to manipulate the frizzen and actively squeeze the trigger to generate a spark.

You are welcome.
I wish you the best in pulling the ball out. Hopefully, it won't be a big issue and maybe someone "dry loaded" the musket at some time. "Dry loaded" being a term for loading the musket with no powder.

 

[bayonet]

is to have a gunsmith remove the breech and push the ball out. Don't try doing it yourself if you don't have a breech plug wrench.

I won a 250+ year flintlock pistol at auction. When I got it something was jammed down the barrel. Took it to a Gunsmith/Gun Shop but for insurance reason they would not deal with it. Ordered the right tools on the internet (they didn't have what I needed) and was able to extract it myself. After 5-6 attempts it came free. It was hardened wad of fabric that was probably down there for decades if not a century or 2.

 

[GF97]

Well I used a wiper since the puller wouldn't do anything. Someone stuffed what appears to be old newspaper or pages from a book until it filled the breech. All clear. Thanks for the advice!

 

[GF97]

I got a picture of the touch hole for anyone that would be interested. I can't find the article at the moment but I did read that the arsenals lined and repaired touch holes, and this one exhibits evidence of that. The breech plug shows evidence of removal and being matched to the barrel again. Interesting to see how repairs were done.