Cap and rifle questions

[hardtack1864]

I'm planning on buying a new forge cap, but I wanted to know what is PEC for a eastern and western federal from mid 62-mid 64, a type 1 or type 2? I wanted to know also how many coats of boiled linseed oil should I put on my rifle after taking the farb finsh off and how many days should I do it too? Also should I be puting the linseed oil on in the shade or direct sun light, how should I apply the chemical stripper that takes the farb finsh off and what do I use to put the linseed oil on too? One more thing, a list of do's and do not's would be nice too.

PS. How are Nick ************s forge caps like the ones sold by the Skillet licker?

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Cap and rifle questions

Sean

Wad the term type1 and type 2 up and throw them as far away as possible! They are not period terms and you should erase them from your vocabulary.

If you want a really good cap go to: http://www.cjdaley.com/foragecaps.htm

and pick one you like.

[hardtack1864]

Re: Cap and rifle questions

So the forge caps that authentic vendors are using were used through the whole war?

[RyanBWeddle]

Re: Cap and rifle questions

So the forge caps that authentic vendors are using were used through the whole war?

YES! Search for "Forage Cap" on this forum ...

or

read this thread:

http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?p=10134#post10134

It will answer your questions...

And like Robert said, Joel Bohy's caps are the best.

[hardtack1864]

Re: Cap and rifle questions

Okay, thank you and I typed in forge cap instead forage cap when searching, been around the blacksmith shop to much :tounge_sm !

[hireddutchcutthroat]

Re: Cap and rifle questions

So the forge caps that authentic vendors are using were used through the whole war?

I am pretty shure that most of the contractors being reproduced at the moment were fairly early contracts (1862) and they most certainly very prolific contracts.

[Michael McComas]

Re: Now a rifle defarbing questions

I wanted to know also how many coats of boiled linseed oil should I put on my rifle after taking the farb finsh off and how many days should I do it too?

As many coats as it takes. Use a mix of 1 part Boiled Linseed Oil, 1 part spar varnish, and 1 part turpentine to thin it. There are numerous recipes. Pick one that appeals to you. 50-50 Varathane #66 Natural Oil Finish and BLO is the one my gunsmith friend uses. The first several coats will soak right in. Slather it on, let sit for 5-10 minutes, and wipe it off. Repeat a couple times. You will see the wood slow down absorbing the oil. After you've wiped the last coat off, set it aside to air dry for at least a week. Two weeks is better. After that, you will do light coats rubbed on by hand, with light sanding using 220-grit wet-or-dry sand paper in between. After several coats, switch to 400-grit sandpaper, then to 600-grit. Sand lightly.

Also should I be puting the linseed oil on in the shade or direct sun light,

I work in my garage, so I guess shade is the answer there. Fresh air is more important than sunlight, since the linseed oil requires oxygen to dry.

how should I apply the chemical stripper that takes the farb finsh off

Remove everything that is not wood. Hang the stock from the ceiling or a tree branch, spray on the stripper, and let it work. Ez-Off works quite well, but follow the instructions for whatever stripper you happen to have.

and what do I use to put the linseed oil on too?

Maybe a rag or brush for the first coat, and sandpaper and your hand after that. Be aware, a rag soaked in linseed oil is a combustion hazard. Leave it outside when you're done with it. (As the linseed oil hardens, it gives off heat, and if the rags are somewhere the heat can build up, like in the bottom of a trashcan, they can reach their combustion point. Leaving them somewhere the heat can be removed by convection will prevent this from happening.)

One more thing, a list of do's and do not's would be nice too.

DO go sparingly with the oil.
DO coat the stock evenly.
DON'T go nuts with the sandpaper.
DON'T burn the house down.

I'm sure others will have more to add. This is one of those things where each person's experience will vary.

Best of luck,

Michael