Shooting a jezail rifle

SchildaBrit · 2nd April 2021, 02:10 PM

Jim, I must confess that this thread was the inspiration to get out and do it.

After weeks of Covid frustration, I had a great session at the range, shooting 3 extremes:

The oldest - Rouma bench-rest rifle from 1670.
The biggest bore - 2. IP Brown Bess.
The longest - the Jezail, which at 1 meter 60cm
makes the Bess look like a carbine.

SchildaBrit · 2nd April 2021, 02:37 PM

The jezail weighs in at a touch under 6 kilograms! With the centre of gravity being about 76 cm out from your shoulder, quite impractical for unsupported shooting. This must be thought of as a kind of bench-rest rifle.

However, the Khyber Pass being somewhat bare of proper benches, consider it a "rock-rest rifle". Maybe I'll get around to making one of those spindly bipods that are sometimes shown in old prints and photos?

Btw, I am still cleaning it. I had expected to find rust in the barrel. Instead, the grooves seem to contain a residue of pitch-like gunge. So far it has resisted all reasonable solvents (Ballistol, Ed's Red, paint thinner, even acetone and oven cleaner) and so I am stuck with shoot...clean...shoot...clean.

It will thus be a while before it reaches its full accuracy potential.

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

2nd April 2021, 02:10 PM	#1
SchildaBrit Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 33	Frontier Arithmetic Jim, I must confess that this thread was the inspiration to get out and do it. After weeks of Covid frustration, I had a great session at the range, shooting 3 extremes: The oldest - Rouma bench-rest rifle from 1670. The biggest bore - 2. IP Brown Bess. The longest - the Jezail, which at 1 meter 60cm makes the Bess look like a carbine. Attached Images

2nd April 2021, 02:37 PM	#2
SchildaBrit Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 33	It's heavy The jezail weighs in at a touch under 6 kilograms! With the centre of gravity being about 76 cm out from your shoulder, quite impractical for unsupported shooting. This must be thought of as a kind of bench-rest rifle. However, the Khyber Pass being somewhat bare of proper benches, consider it a "rock-rest rifle". Maybe I'll get around to making one of those spindly bipods that are sometimes shown in old prints and photos? Btw, I am still cleaning it. I had expected to find rust in the barrel. Instead, the grooves seem to contain a residue of pitch-like gunge. So far it has resisted all reasonable solvents (Ballistol, Ed's Red, paint thinner, even acetone and oven cleaner) and so I am stuck with shoot...clean...shoot...clean. It will thus be a while before it reaches its full accuracy potential. Last edited by SchildaBrit; 2nd April 2021 at 06:19 PM. Reason: C of G at 76cm

2nd April 2021, 06:22 PM	#4
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	#7
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?

2nd April 2021, 05:13 PM	#3
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	#5
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	#8
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.