Musket-cleaning tutorial - easy, simple, and historically accurate!

Sjt. Rob Welch leads you on a simple but in-depth, step-by-step tutorial for cleaning your firelock - at events and at home - using nothing more than basic period tools and techniques.
Put away the unnecessary WD40, Hoppes #9, etc, etc. Do it right, in all periods.
Filmed during a small living history event at Monmouth Battlefield, July 2021.
Edited by Chris Pratt.
[closed captioning coming asap!]
For more information on the recreated 40th Foot, light infantry company, check out our social media: / 40thbloodhounds - / hm40thregt_bloodhounds

[@WarThunder-zt4xw]

This guy’s a good Sgt. This squad is fortunate to have a man so knowledgeable.

[@BrandonF]

Brick dust looks like it's almost as fun as pipeclay and blackball!

[@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI]

It's a glorious gift from Mars himself!

[@nonsibi1087]

It is useful to use the oil originally specified, i.e., SWEET OIL, or, as we know it today, Olive Oil. It is non-acidic and coats the iron with an effective protective layer. It also serves as a lock lubricant. The musket barrel was wiped down with it as was the bore. Army inventories included large amounts of the stuff. Petroleum products were not available.

[@w.p.958]

Wow, great educational video. I always wondered how rifles were cleaned in the 1700s.

[@TheFarOffStation]

All this great Rev War content dropping on the internet as of late 🙌🏻👌🏻

[@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI]

Right? Thanks for being a part of that.

[@briansherrillruralliving9708]

Hadn't seen this video before. Very well done! Thanks for sharing 👍

[@bogtrotter17]

Oh how I love my pattern 1853 Enfield rifled musket. A jag on the rod for patches. Great video!

[@HistoryBoy]

amen!

[@cjthehistoryperson]

Great video! Very informative. I’ll definitely have to go back and rewatch this once I get a musket.

[@TheFarOffStation]

Do it.

[@webbg6]

Very well explained. I'm especially interested in that work around for the lack of a jag. I can never get a jag to fit my ramrod screw thread so I have to have cleaning rods for it. The way you do it, with the hole through so it doen't come off in the barrel, is something very useful and that I've not seen before. Thanks. Well, done yet again. You guys are a source the most excellent information in many things.

[@webbg6]

I should add, I've now found jags and worms and such that fit on to the screw end of my ramrod.

[@jonahtaivalkoski322]

The blunt end of the ramrod actually works quite well as a jag

[@CaptRons18thcentury]

excellent tutorial

[@robertgross1655]

🎩Hi. Nice video. I used to really like seeing this being done when I was a re-enacter. On the way to the beer tent. (Being association ensign had it perks). All pike blocks need is pain killer. Not spending hours cleaning your gun, before the real fun started.

[@timtonner946]

Nicely done. Would like to see this demo presented for attendees at Redcoats and Rebels...

[@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI]

That's a great idea. We're not attending this year, but hope to next year!

[@revere0311]

Thanks for posting this!

[@Wm.Havens]

Excellent presentation! Greetings from Fort Griswold

[@flintlock2180]

this is a very good video....and i have watched alot of them. Good Job.

[@SuomiFinn42]

Thank you! Didn’t know the trick about the rag with the hole, totally using that now! Are there period sources of people doing that?

[@yankeedoodle7365]

Wondering what sort of oil is being used

[@usnchief1339]

What type of oil was used? Whale? I can't imagine much had change throughout the years of using blackpowder firearms out in the field. Thanks for the video.

[@mattiabissaldi8350]

Great video, very informative! Odd out topic question: where did you buy shoes? They look very nice, I'm struggling to find a good pair...

[@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI]

It's difficult to find decent shoes, at least at reasonably affordable prices. There are some SUPERB bespoke makers out there - Shaun Pekar, and some makers at Williamsburg are great options for a price that is commensurate with the large amount of work. Otherwise, Gossville Shoes are quite good. Second to that, you might look at Jarnagin as a little more affordable. Roy Najecki used to sell the only decent bottom-barrel affordable shoes, but that maker (Robert Land) is currently not making.

[@thedamnyankee1]

What part of the country are you guys out of?

[@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI]

We're fairly widely distributed across the northeastern US - with centers in southern New England and the Philadelphia area. Find out more here: facebook.com/40thBloodhounds

[@TheFarOffStation]

@@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI he’s a Frenchie, he’s just trying to find your position for a counter attack!

[@lutzderlurch7877]

'unfired' brick? 0.o I have a question as far as 'boiling' the lock goes: I would be anxious about water/moisture penetrating deep into recesses and screw holes from where it won't easily evaporate anymore, even when the lock is hot. Ultimately rusting things into place, i.e. tumbler and cock screw, bridle and it's screws, etc. How are your experiences with that?

[@ardshielcomplex8917]

Clamp the steel "iron" ramrod in the assembled Locks jaws, hold the lock close to edge of a campfire and watch carefully as the moisture in the lock parts sizzles (avoiding overheating and losing temper) then move it away from the fire and let cool. Apply Oil with a brush into the lock working the moving parts so the oil gets where it needs to be.

[@paratists]

Did light infantry have like their own specific commands in battle that the officers would tell them? Simalier to like Line companys like "Fire by File", or like how would they get set up into skirmish line?

[@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI]

Yes, absolutely - they had their own specific commands on the field! We're hoping to make a video on this this coming field season. Stay tuned.

[@leithafae]

i do like to use autosol to get a really nice shine on my bess when i go out and use after the event is finished but i find after every firing display i have to do a full barrel and lock clean but do you folks ram your wadding or paper down with the powder?

[@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI]

It depends on the event - for some we ram down the full charge with the catridge paper. Most sites, and some organizations, don't allow ramming for safety reasons, so then it's just the powder down the barrel with no wadding.

[@leithafae]

@@HMthRegtofFootndBattLI its the one thing we do is ram but some people prefer to ram without the paper.