US Civil War Rifle-Musket Field Cleaning

[@kodiakkeith]

Sperm oil was $35 a gallon in the mid 19th century. Sperm oil (in 19th century parlance) was specifically the light, fine oil drawn from a cavity in the head of sperm whales. Whale oil (also called train oil) is what they would have used. Whale oil is the heavier oil made by melting the blubber of whales of all types.

[@Kaboomf]

Yup, sperm oil was way too expensive for gun cleaning. It never goes rancid or otherwise bad, so it was used extensively for clocks and other fine instruments or machinery. Good stuff for lubing and protecting the lockwork on guns, but way too expensive for use as a cleaning solvent.

[@anonfilly7335]

35$ in 1860 was worth a lot more than today

[@nonamesplease6288]

Whale oil was not always available in the Confederate army or at the end of a supply chain when the army was on campaign. I have heard stories of things like bacon grease or other meat greases being used instead. Not an ideal solution, but if you need to keep you shooting iron from rusting it will do. Also, the 53 Enfield also has brass furniture on it. Many officers, especially in the Union army, wanted the brass whitened. I've heard the urine could be used for this, but a more pleasant solution was to use ash from the fire mixed with spit and some elbow grease.

[@sabertoothray]

How much could they get out of a single sperm whales head?

[@NikoMoraKamu]

@@sabertoothray www.mysticseaport.org/voyage/files/2015/05/Vogel_morgan.pdf here says that between 6-8 barrels from the head and 45-50 all the whale

[@shawnadams1965]

"Men just make sure you don't forget to say whale when you ask ask the supply sergeant for sperm oil... you might not get what you're expecting..." Nice video Karl.

[@zloychechen5150]

could get really confusing if one also forgot to say "oil"

[@thetalesofdaneandco]

@@zloychechen5150 "That's a giant gun you have there sir. It must be tough to clean." "Nah" (Truck backs in with an aquarium on the back)

[@johngulyas4334]

19th C. Quartermaster SGT’s were notorious pervs.

[@dongblak7048]

No wonder they started using rapeseed oil.

[@FitnessTips4Ux]

“Sir I’m sorry I meant sperm whale oil not sperm oil.” *me, a surprised and very tired supply sergeant* “Son… do you know how long it took me to get you that can of sperm oil?”

[@keithplymale2374]

I remember going to a Rev War reenactment one time. Afterwards I watched a participant take a part off the breach end. Then he held a hose to that end and had the muzzle down. When he turned the water on black mud came flowing out. I looked at him and said "Field maintenance?" and he laughed and said "Yes."

[@stefanwolf88]

I use ballistol on anything - steel, wood, leather, plastic. Great stuff.

[@Bushy_P]

Ed walmsley not like wd40. Smells like LPS #2. Might be the same stuff as LPS #2, that’s not a fact though.

[@Lakikano]

It's an old German oil meant to clean, lube, and protect a whole bunch of different materials while being non-toxic. You might have to order it online but I think it's available most anywhere. I highly recommend it for steel and leather care.

[@Tobascodagama]

@Bill Dauterive It is petroleum-based, but very highly refined. It's mineral oil, which Wikipedia tells me is called "paraffinum perliquidum" in the UK, plus a few other additives.

[@Blazer02LS]

From the MSDS - Ballistol contains Mineral Oil Potassium Oleate Ammonium Oleate Oleic Acid Benzyl Alcohol Amyl Alcohol Isobutyl Alcohol Benzyl Acetate Anethole

[@bob445566DE]

You can even use it on yourself. It's antibacterial and was used by the German Army to treat wounds.

[@benstoyles1297]

“Sperm oil” certainly puts a new spin on “I was cleaning it and it went off”.

[@marzcapone9939]

It was clean 15 minutes ago....🤔

[@michelguevara151]

lol XD

[@VonSchpam]

Yes. It's good that he clarified where the sperm oil came(?...!) from.

[@billstevens5277]

"Can I borrow your Playboy? I gotta clean my rifle".

[@TexasHellcat1836]

😂😂😂

[@maskedhobo]

Can't wait to see the long reply of someone explaining why the super long method is superior, completely missing the point of the video. Solid video Karl, stay safe.

[@jaredfoogle2298]

Honestly the only extra thing we'd do more during reenactments is we boiled the water sometimes, but this is really standard for what we did and I'm glad Karl made the video on it

[@ericn7677]

Infantryman: How do we maintain our rifles in the field? NCO: Water, patches and some oil, now let's go die. Infantryman: "But Sarge"-Yusha Thomas

[@george2113]

Thank you Karl. A picture really is worth a thousand words. Please consider doing a similar video on your WWSD AR.

[@whspioneer89]

I like ARs too but this type of content is why I started watching your channel.

[@williamhamilton540]

Karl, I want to see more of this content. Love the history content too. There is so much contradictory information out there, it’s good to hear it from someone who is a realist, and I respect. Keep up the good work.

[@Stikkzz]

i see you are using Ballistol. Man i love this stuff

[@JJW3]

Thats a nice Pedersoli 1853. I just got one of their 2-band 1858 Enfields and I can't wait to try it out with some Pritchett paper cartridges.

[@SafetyProMalta]

Great stuff Karl. Simple & concise.

[@oberonicelander1121]

I am so glad my old school trade rifle has the quick detach barrel - drive out the wedge and it's off. I can slop water everywhere while cleaning the barrel and not worry about the stock or lock getting wet.

[@dbmail545]

How anachronistic, using an ultra modern 1905 CLP for a Civil War design. BTW I was taught to use Ballistol over 50 years ago on BP guns.

[@5000rgb]

It's "not modern by modern standards"

[@thomassimpson6901]

5:53 onwards, Karl's signature dance move

[@TheMCD1989]

Your videos have been great lately Karl. I got out of black powder shooting a while ago, but it is a very fun, unique experience. I used to own 3 of these Enfields, a 2 band Musketoon, a 3 band infantry musket like the one in the video and a 3 band Zouave (spelling?) Model. They are awesome shooting muskets, I used to deer hunt with the musketoon. The other simple cleaning method I was taught was to mix water, dawn dish detergent and hydrogen peroxide. Take the nipple out, put the butt end down on the ground or in a bath tub and spray a bunch of the mixture into the bore until mostly clear or clear. Then run patches down until dry, then run bore butter down the bore. Ballistol is different but most gun oils will cause a massive mess in black powder guns. Keep up the awesome content!

[@genetwombly83]

At 7:40 you can hear the giggles of a thousand twelve-year-olds

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

*thousand twelve-year-olds of all ages* Fixed

[@dannyd3717]

When you get your Rifle and your gun mixed up.

[@elwayfan01]

I'll have you know I'm actually 31, not 12. *huffs dismissively*

[@studentdrake]

@@elwayfan01 that's called getting younger in reverse.

[@jdkeith5373]

Oh no my cover is blown ABORT THE MISSION

[@texasrex2222]

Love the 2600hz phreaking shirt!

[@chuckwingo11]

Thank you. I've watched half a dozen vids on how to clean my muzzle loader, and most of them left me thinking 1) I don't want to spend more time cleaning it than I do shooting it and 2) there is no way a Civil War soldier would have had the time / equipment to do it this way. I'll still use some of the more intensive cleaning methods, but now I'm confident I can use those methods two or three times a year, not after every time I shoot.

[@taylorharbin3948]

When I demonstrated a replica 1842 Springfield at a state park, we used hot water and REM-Oil. It was simple albeit very messy. Great learning experience.

[@JasperFromMS]

Good job! I'm not a BP fan because I figured it would be a lot of work. That's not bad. I would never have searched for this info, but now I know. And I learned from a trusted source, sometimes a problem on YT. I AM PROUD TO BE A PATREON SUPPORTER.

[@Broken_Yugo]

Two things come to mind. 1. NEVER do this in your shower/tub, it is extremely difficult to scrub the stain out of the no skid, don't ask how I know. 2. Differences in volume of fire and expectations. Back in the day how often were these guns really fired, and how many rounds were expected to go through them between overhauls? Today people expect something like this to last a lifetime of occasional use, and for that more intensive, nuke it from orbit cleaning (stronger solvents or the bucket of hot water) may be warranted to ensure the barrel is kept entirely free of anything corossive.

[@coltpiecemaker]

I'd love to see more videos on field cleaning weapons. I think that we take for granted the amount of cleaning supplies and items we have these days, and it is nice to see how soldiers would have done this type of thing in the field. Have you thought about doing a video on field cleaning weapons that use corrosive ammo like the AK? I know standard practice is to douse it in water (usually with a hose) before just cleaning normally, but what about in proper field conditions? I'd imagine that soldiers don't always have access to hoses and barrels of water, so how would soldiers clean their weapons if only a limited amount of water (perhaps just what is in their canteens) was available? Thanks for the video!

[@pozsmith8207]

Dunk in a creek, run the bolt 10 times, dry and oil.

[@tombiddle6825]

Cracking video. Pretty much how I clean my Martini. Boiling water helps, but cold works fine. Then oiled patches. Works fine.

[@jan-hendrikbussmann4644]

I'm gonna go clean all my rifles now. You tripped my guilty conscience with this video.

[@icwells]

I'm glad I'm not the only one using Ballistol on my black powder guns.

[@52Ford]

Heck no! I almost exclusively use Ballistol on everything. I only own one other brand of gun oil and Ballistol is the only chemical I use on some of my guns (not counting oil and wax for the stocks).

[@charlescomly1]

Smells really bad and makes the wife complain, but it does a great job.

[@greencreekranch]

Ballistol is basically the only thing german hunters use on any gun. And knives. And sometimes their dogs...

[@charlesadams1721]

Karl, I hope you have the opportunity to show similar maintenance on the blackpowder guns of the later eras, such as the lever-actions. I've performed maintenance on modern cap-n'-ball revolvers, single-shot pistols, and rifles, even black powder shotguns, but not something like a lever-action or especially like a Winchester 97 pump shotgun. It's amazing that black powder fired in a cartridge still gets fouling everywhere. Thank you Karl.

[@Operator8282]

But for a really authentic cleaning, you need the whale oil. Considering it is in such short supply these days, this may be a great opportunity to do a demmo of a black powder actuated harpoon gun to provide yourself with the correct period solvent.

[@Hopeofmen]

Just ask the Japanese. :) They would know where to get some.

[@evilmac9623]

Instructions unclear, now my musket shoots bubbles ...

[@petergosden1]

I shot a lot of black powder, both ML and BL. Thank you for the video. Perfectly practical, I do similar, though I do add a bronze brush to the routine. Surprising what still comes out. When cleaning indoors I use patches soaked with a solution of water and water-soluble cutting oil. Less mess in my gun room. Fyi, the slot in the ram rod is for a bar to assist in withdrawing the ball using the screw attachment. Keep them coming!

[@seventhson27]

One of the "emergency" cleaners used during combat when the fouling got so bad that you couldn't load the bullet, that appears to have worked pretty well, was to urinate down the barrel. Mentioned in several of the "Sharp's Rifles" books.

[@iLLeag7e]

You're one of the best youtubers Karl

[@InrangeTv]

Wow, thanks! :)

[@markmcgraw1070]

InRange doing musket videos coincided nicely with me marathoning Sharpe again

[@charleyfolkes]

Nice video ! My trapdoor is the messiest thing to clean but you’ve given me a new idea.

[@1SaG]

"This is what they would've done with sperm-oil..." The fan-fiction practically writes itself ... :P

[@johnnybagofdoughnuts4193]

Thanks so much for this vid. You’re absolutely right in stating that the average online vid makes this job sound prohibitively time and labor intensive.

[@izekialrage]

Really enjoying your musket content, thank you for doing these videos and I hope to see more.

[@georgewood9482]

I've recently become really interested in the Civil War. Thanks for these videos, Karl. I'll be supporting on Patreon at the end of the month.

[@Jesses001]

Ballistol is a great product to use. It will dissolve the salts from black powder while not harming the wood at all. Also it conditions leather, so safe to leave your sling on.

[@cameronlamb7274]

Black powder doesn’t have salts it’s fouling is hygroscopic it pulls in moisture from the air. This is true at least for the real stuff.

[@Jesses001]

@@cameronlamb7274 Black powder contains potassium nitrate. Common term is saltpeter. It is not what we generally call salt, sodium chloride.

[@apocalypseman9824]

Very interesting stuff. Really do enjoy the videos that you guys make.

[@stevenandbobthedog]

I'm really loving this content Karl, the U.S. civil war is my favorite time period to learn about.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

I use this same procedure to clean my bong, works like a charm!

[@survivalcomms]

I have used boiling water followed with ballistol for years. Hard to go wrong with simplicity. Thanks for sharing !

[@AlexTrull]

Spectacularly good condition musket too. Great video !

[@johna6442]

Thanks Carl I was wondering how they clean the rifles in the field.

[@ivankrylov6270]

Great video as always You could probably reuse those patches as fire starters once they dry out

[@uraniumpenetrator3844]

In my more frugal days, I'd wash my used patches in dish water and re-use them to clean my guns over and over. Gets hard to tell if the patch comes out clean after a few rotations, but it's better than not cleaning.

[@ivankrylov6270]

@@uraniumpenetrator3844 yeah i rotate my patches for cleaning new patches for final swipes, old grey one for the first few

[@sirdingmydong2107]

I never would have thought cleaning an old muzzle loader would be that easier. Im thinking about getting into these. They look fun, and I'd imagine they are cheaper to shoot

[@tonymoore9907]

Great video I always wondered how they did that in the field

[@lokitakahashi3042]

thank you for this. this is i havent seen black powder channels do, how to clean your gun when you in the middle of the wood on a 3 day hunting trip or backwoods shootout.

[@NiceGuy-Nationalist]

It wouldn't be too terribly different from the Enfield, but I'd love to see you guys go over the 1854 Lorenz rifle-musket, along with other weapons of the 19th century. The history associated with such arms is fascinating, and it's great to see people with a love for modern weaponry take interest in the tools related to soldiery of yesteryear as well.

[@tomunterwegs1206]

just woke up after a night shift, good guy karl providing little tired me with some nice content :-)

[@THEPAGUNGUY]

Great video I use to do civil war reenacting and we did it alittle differently but pretty much the same way. Glad someone made a good video your def right people make all kinds of expensive concoctions to clean these. Or they do the opposite and clean it w water and don't put any lube on 🤦‍♂️ love your guy's content!

[@michelguevara151]

cool video, Karl. thanks for loading it

[@wowlodarczyk]

On other video on cleaning riffles they used the same method - fill muzzle with water, hot water if possible. There was a tip/remark: empty it somewhere further from your camp/stand, water can be really filthy.

[@partyrobbins4690]

This video is oddly relaxing.

[@brunoterlingen2203]

A beautiful bit of kit Karl, some specs would be appreciated.

[@grahamgibbs5948]

Excellent video. I have the 1858 and use ballistol.

[@incognito_1111]

Great, now I want to buy a new Enfield... Thanks a lot InRangeTV! ;-)

[@RAZ0RGAM1NG]

Feels like asmr when you were filling up the bore lmao

[@GreenCanoeb]

I shoot a sharps replica with black powder. Folks at the range always ask, "Isn't that a lot of work to clean?" Nope... Six to eight wet patches, one dry patch, and one patch with WD-40. I go back a couple days later and wipe off the WD-40 and use a better preservative oil for long term storage. The cleaning solution I use is Mike Venturino's recommended solution of Windex with vinegar diluted 3 to 1. (Just enough soap to act as a surfactant and cut the bullet lube grease.) I don't spend more than 10 minutes at the range cleaning up and maybe 5 minutes at home reoiling with a good preservative oil. Spend more time shooting and less cleaning.

[@mollymcallister1671]

I have no direct experience with black-powder arms but have always been fascinated by them... from a distance. Descriptions of how "High-Maintenance" BP arms were have kinda scared me off but I really like bits like these kinda de-mystifying aspects of firearms of all kinds like this.

[@52Ford]

Ballistol is some awesome stuff. On some of my guns, Ballistol is the only chemical I use (not counting oil and wax for the wood). I rarely shoot my muzzle loading firearms, so I pull the barrel out of the stock, remove the nipple, stick that end into a sink full of water and dish soap, scrub the bore with a (cotton?) mop on a cleaning rod. After that I dry the bore with a few patches, run some patches with Ballistol to keep it from rusting, wipe the outside down, and call it done. If I know the gun is going to sit a long time, I spray Ballistol into the bore and just plan on cleaning it before I shoot it next. The only bad thing that over-oiling is going to do to a gun in storage is saturate the wood - you can remove the oil from the wood and it's a lot easier that undoing rust damage.

[@paullytle1904]

Seems like a mix between polishing grandma's silver and cleaning out a bong

[@dragonsword7370]

So your G.ma's silver Bong then?

[@paullytle1904]

@@dragonsword7370 i guess so

[@romanpfaff3039]

Solid

[@nicholaspatton5590]

Cleaning out the Quartermaster's bong, 1861 colorized

[@ncktbs]

fill wait for the next 2 cups of water boil or 10 min, make 1 cup of coffe or tea use rest of HOT water for second rinse

[@gnarshread]

Me rolling into my local gun store. "Where you keep your sperm oil?" Good video though. Its something I really hadn't considered before.

[@carami6442]

Remember, that's sperm whale OIL. Not whale SPERM. Trust me, you do not want to make that mistake

[@studentdrake]

Or do you?😁

[@Brigand231]

I did enjoy this, thank you Karl!

[@chadington6029]

Hey Karl, what reproduction/maker enfield is that? I've been interested in getting one. Great video by the way, one thing I never looked into was how soldiers cleaned their guns in the civil war. Thank you.

[@christopherbouchard9921]

Cool stuff Karl

[@toddwebb7521]

Ideally it was preferred to use hot water as it dried easier

[@thatguyoverthere9634]

And dissolves salts easier

[@dposcuro]

Ideally, yes. Soldiers are very often not in ideal situations.

[@grahamgibbs5948]

Excellent video. From UK.

[@UHCredhead]

I’d like to see you clean some black powder handguns, 1851 navy’s etc, that be cool

[@michaellorusso4912]

Well done Sir! Thank you!

[@charleshughes4600]

Let it be put on record: the internet now has audio of Karl saying "sperm." 1:55 Prepare to reap what you sow, Karl von Internet!!

[@RadekRaVoS]

Hi :) I use lukewarm (or cold) water and vinegar in 6 water+ 5 vinegar mixture. I found this recipe in book about Hussites war and work perfect for me + is absolutely cheap :) The reaction of this mixture and rests of burned black powder is amazing :) Thanks for video :)

[@Mike-im5bo]

Me? I prefer the British army method; draw the hammer to full cock, lean the gun at a 45 degree angle with the barrel down. pour water (preferably hot water) down the barrel, pump the water through the barrel with a patch attached to the ramrod/cleaning rod. This forces the water through the bolster (cone seat) and cone, cleaning out any debris in there.

[@Derecq]

Yes that is the recommended cleaning method however you have to remember that the nipple was open bored and not reverse cone like a modern nipple so the fouling would wash straight through.

[@michaelray4033]

Could you please do a field cleaning video on cap and ball revolvers?

[@TheArchaos]

Its all about dissolving those salts left over in the barrel, along with any powder residue. Water, more so warm water, will do that quite nicely. If you're feeling even more festive add some soap and get that hydrophilic/hydrophobic goodness going.

[@Shellshock1918]

That's how we do it at re-enactments. Hot water, patches, oil.

[@Panzervagon]

Could probably use club soda for that good, clean feeling. Works on shirt stains and black powder residue!

[@matthewswan9419]

Thank you for the cool video Karl

[@257shooter9]

I use 1 part Ballistol and 3 parts water for my range patch lube and general purpose black powder solvent. Straight Ballistol in the bore when I’m done cleaning.

[@julysmith2771]

Been a CAS/SASS shooter for years, I have always competed in a black powder category. My method for cleaning is very similar, just plain old water to clean rifle, pistols and shotgun. Then lightly oiled with Ballistol. Never had any issues with rust in 12 years of real black powder shooting (no subs). Some of the worst/complicated cleaning methods and myths about black powder come from fellow SASS shooters that have little or no experience with actually shooting bp.

[@kitten-inside]

Finally, we see Karl shaking it.

[@ironbomb6753]

Interesting and very excellent video Carl. I wish you would have poured the dirty barrel water on to a white rag each time. would have been neat to see. 👍😎

[@kainhall]

ive always been told ..... all ya need to clean black powder..... is hot water.... at boy scout camp in both montana and MN..... i always took a shooting badge eventually, the "leaders" started recognizing me.... and would let me shoot double barrel muzzle loading shotguns.... IF!!! i helped clean the ~8 muskets they knew i already knew my shit.... safety practices.... how to clean a gun.... ETC was pretty cool...... i remember "shotgun charley".... old namn vet..... glad i got to meet that dude

[@kainhall]

for the slosh part..... id always stick the ram rod or cleaning rod into the bore..... (we also used dawn dish soap to help neutralize acids) something loose enough to not "hydro lock" the action, and blow off your cap/leather piece and run it up and down a shit ton its sorta like your washing machine..... agitates the water..... then run like 3 patches threw it...... oil it up with a 4th (with a LIGHT coat on the external metal parts) and your good to go..... just make sure you dry it QUICKLY you can almost watch it rust infront of your face when wet.... however..... the oil you apply to the external parts, will wipe away that surface rust..... and leave a protective coat

[@supremeghost7950]

Man, watching Karl cleaining guns is relaxing. Some sort of ASMR is too, to listen to it.

[@luissantiago5163]

Oh neato. Cool. Morning everyone

[@krispinwah2784]

Good evening! xD

[@landomt8138]

I like to imagine Karl was just standing there, in frame, in his camo pajama pants for the entire 10 minutes of letting the water sit

[@mongosafariadventure]

You make a very good point and good demonstration. I never really thought about the war time cleaning procedures. Sticking to my disassembly, remove nipple, warm, soapy water running patches through. Ballistol mixed and straight in and out. 1853 replica and several Hawken rifles 45, 50, 54 & 58. T/C Scout pistols in 50 & 54 plus 1860 Colt Army.

[@lookythat2]

I read troopers used to take the wooden grips off their revolvers in the field and just boil them! Kind of like CAS shooters taking their Ruger Old Armys apart and putting them in the dishwasher (when their wives were away, no doubt). Unfortunately I guess those Troopers didn't have access to some of the labor saving devices currently available. On the esoteric side, I found Mike Venturino's prescription of simple _Windex with Vinegar_ cut through the crud on my revolver.

[@ghostjeff4963]

And then just finish the cleaning with a few prayers and annoint the weapon with holy oils.

[@danielkaczynski9702]

And be sure to have Gun Jesus bless your weapon.

[@Robert-qr8co]

Litany of the ...Caplock? "And then we gonna spray the whole darn thing." Really!?

[@Mike2894]

A modern solution to corrosive primers is windex. It has ammonia in the solution and will easily neutralize the salts. I've been using it for years with corrosive 7.62x54r. it makes the task super quick and easy.

[@InrangeTv]

Water works fine.

[@leos5200]

I did enjoy this gun care. Thank you

[@Tobi08150]

I have the same enfield rifle at home. I clean the barrel with Ballistol and some cleaning patches . On the rear where all the gunk from the fiering mechanism comes out i use a combination of alcohol and (schmierseife) it works really well. I dont know what schmierseife is in English translated from german its lubricating soap (its an old kind of greasy soap thats kind of brown) Nice video love this Gun !

[@incognito_1111]

That's awesome you referred to the cone by its proper name.

[@sqike001ton]

So I have always just used the hydraulic ram rod method in super hot water then or oil I use hoppies #9 but i only have flintlocks and my berdan sharps which has to be tore apart to really clean it and the flintlock is really easy to take the barrel off the action and with a flintlock you need to take off the lock plate to clean behind it

[@willykanos1044]

I would like to suggest the soldiers of that era p-robably used whatever lubricant they had. Whale oil was sometimes available but lamp oil (coal oil) was ubiquitous. Something like primitive kerosine.

[@brianthomson6896]

Hi Karl, Thanks for doing some videos on muzzle loaders and for doing a period correct description of field cleaning the 1853 Enfield. Did the 1853 Enfield have a steel ramrod? Most black powder rifles have wooden ramrods. P.S. Fantastic shots you made with it in your previous video.

[@GreenCanoeb]

Most military rifles had steel ramrods to survive the roughest use in the field.