Shooting a jezail rifle

David R · 2nd April 2021, 05:13 PM

The residue might be cosmoline or old dried oil.

SchildaBrit · 2nd April 2021, 06:22 PM

Whatever it is, it's resistant to everything that I dare to put down the barrel!

I think the barrel might be some kind of damast, which is why I would not like to use aggressive chemicals.

Photos now inserted. Unfortunately the software limitation means that I cannot post the picture of the barrel with adequate resolution to show up the wavy patterning. Just use your imagination!

pbleed · 2nd April 2021, 06:29 PM

Wonderful thread. Thanks and keep us informed.
Peter

kahnjar1 · 2nd April 2021, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchildaBrit

Whatever it is, it's resistant to everything that I dare to put down the barrel!

I think the barrel might be some kind of damast, which is why I would not like to use aggressive chemicals.

Photos now inserted. Unfortunately the software limitation means that I cannot post the picture of the barrel with adequate resolution to show up the wavy patterning. Just use your imagination!

Are you sure its not just old hardened black powder residue?? Try scrubbing with boiling water. We always used that to remove (most of) black powder residue. Then used black powder solvent to finish off.
Stu

SchildaBrit · 2nd April 2021, 10:49 PM

"Are you sure its not just old hardened black powder residue?? Try scrubbing with boiling water. "

Could well be rock-hard BP residue. About a century old!

I'll give hot water a try. But since I can't remove the barrel from the stock, I need to make an effective plug for the touch hole.

BTW, everything is glued together with what appears to be a kind of pitch. Has anyone got a clue as to what the Afghans actually used? Pine pitch?

David R · 3rd April 2021, 12:05 AM

Well the barrel is evidently damask aka twist, and a very nice piece indeed. I would suggest that whatever is in there is "better out than in" ...and it's your jezail and we are just onlookers. Not surprised by the quality of the barrel, these guys were happy to pay the price for their gear, blade or barrel.

kahnjar1 · 3rd April 2021, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SchildaBrit

"Are you sure its not just old hardened black powder residue?? Try scrubbing with boiling water. "

Could well be rock-hard BP residue. About a century old!

I'll give hot water a try. But since I can't remove the barrel from the stock, I need to make an effective plug for the touch hole.

BTW, everything is glued together with what appears to be a kind of pitch. Has anyone got a clue as to what the Afghans actually used? Pine pitch?

Don't worry about the touch hole, just leave it as it is. A bit of water on the woodwork won't matter, but if you want to, use a match stick/s to fill the hole. If it breaks off it can easily be removed by pushing thru into the bore and it will drop out.
Stu

SchildaBrit · 3rd April 2021, 06:47 AM

"A bit of water on the woodwork won't matter, ..."

My worry would rather be about getting water between the barrel and the stock. Where it would start to rust and be inaccessible.

"...but if you want to, use a match stick/s to fill the hole. If it breaks off it can easily be removed by pushing thru into the bore and it will drop out."

Thanks Stu, that is an excellent suggestion!

mariusgmioc · 3rd April 2021, 07:54 AM

Hello,

Not very wise of you to shoot an original antique rifle.
But what am I saying?!
"Not wise" is waaaay too polite!!!

Did you wonder why there aren't many people putting out this kind stunt?!
May it be because they treasure and respect their historical antiques?!

In other words, shooting an antique rifle is equivalent to trying to cut a steel plumbing pipe with an antique wootz shamshir or with a Kamakura period katana.

Are you aware that steel like any other material is subjected to aging and in time it changes dramatically its mechanical properties?!

The fact that your rifle didn't simply blow up in your face may be mere luck. Luck for the rifle!

2nd April 2021, 06:22 PM	#2
SchildaBrit Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 33	Tar-like residue Whatever it is, it's resistant to everything that I dare to put down the barrel! I think the barrel might be some kind of damast, which is why I would not like to use aggressive chemicals. Photos now inserted. Unfortunately the software limitation means that I cannot post the picture of the barrel with adequate resolution to show up the wavy patterning. Just use your imagination! Attached Images Last edited by SchildaBrit; 2nd April 2021 at 06:49 PM.

2nd April 2021, 10:49 PM	#5
SchildaBrit Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 33	Hard residue "Are you sure its not just old hardened black powder residue?? Try scrubbing with boiling water. " Could well be rock-hard BP residue. About a century old! I'll give hot water a try. But since I can't remove the barrel from the stock, I need to make an effective plug for the touch hole. BTW, everything is glued together with what appears to be a kind of pitch. Has anyone got a clue as to what the Afghans actually used? Pine pitch?

3rd April 2021, 07:54 AM	#9
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,906	Hello, Not very wise of you to shoot an original antique rifle. But what am I saying?! "Not wise" is waaaay too polite!!! Did you wonder why there aren't many people putting out this kind stunt?! May it be because they treasure and respect their historical antiques?! In other words, shooting an antique rifle is equivalent to trying to cut a steel plumbing pipe with an antique wootz shamshir or with a Kamakura period katana. Are you aware that steel like any other material is subjected to aging and in time it changes dramatically its mechanical properties?! The fact that your rifle didn't simply blow up in your face may be mere luck. Luck for the rifle! Last edited by Battara; 3rd April 2021 at 06:59 PM. Reason: inappropriate wording and response

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2nd April 2021, 05:13 PM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,116	The residue might be cosmoline or old dried oil.

2nd April 2021, 06:29 PM	#3
pbleed Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Little Rock, Arkansas Posts: 88	Wonderful thread. Thanks and keep us informed. Peter

3rd April 2021, 12:05 AM	#6
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,116	Well the barrel is evidently damask aka twist, and a very nice piece indeed. I would suggest that whatever is in there is "better out than in" ...and it's your jezail and we are just onlookers. Not surprised by the quality of the barrel, these guys were happy to pay the price for their gear, blade or barrel.

3rd April 2021, 06:47 AM	#8
SchildaBrit Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 33	"A bit of water on the woodwork won't matter, ..." My worry would rather be about getting water between the barrel and the stock. Where it would start to rust and be inaccessible. "...but if you want to, use a match stick/s to fill the hole. If it breaks off it can easily be removed by pushing thru into the bore and it will drop out." Thanks Stu, that is an excellent suggestion!