R Stahl Stalking Rifle

[mike ford]

Diz,
It's not a very substantial rod, but what about "wipeout" during a match? They would be using that nasty old black powder.
w10085,
If you go to a clock repair shop, they might have a key that will fit, or maybe an old skate key.
Mike

[Diz]

Mike,

That makes perfect sense especially with BP. I believe most did wipe the bore after every shot back then. Sharps can verify that or not. Good idea on the skate or clock keys too. Could work.

Thanks, Diz

[fuhrmann]

Before buying any expensive period sights I'd make sure that it will fit correctly. Not sure about standardisation of sights and those barrel rails back then.
And just to make the gun usable, I might try to find some modern smallbore sight that can be adapted to fit. If needed, glue something into place...

A cleaning rod certainly makes sense with BP.
Another thought, this is a relatively early piece, BP times not long in the past, and to some eyes, a ramrod simply needed to be there.
Have seen rifles adorned even with non-functional ramrod lookalikes.
fuhrmann

[sharps4590]

The Gemmer Sharps and Ballard Pacific #5 were both equipped with "wiping sticks" in thimbles attached to the barrel and both were cartridge rifles. I want to remember I have also seen some rolling block sporting rifles so equipped and I'm certain some of the Trapdoor sporting rifles had them. Many of the old Buffalo Runners carried "wiping sticks" with them to their stand. As Mike and Diz mentioned, on the target range a lot of the old shooters wiped between every shot. I wouldn't doubt that there is also a bit of truth to what fuhrman said. So, all of you are right!!

As far as the wrench, what could be easier than standing at a vise for 2-3 hours filing one out of a piece of angle iron?.....

[mike ford]

Sharps4590,
If that is what you have to do to get a wrench, then that is what you do. It would be easier to drill a hole first.

fuhrmann,
I thought about that too, but didn't say it, because I was afraid ya'll might think I was silly.
Mike

[sharps4590]

It was even easier to use my Milwaukee Porta-Band and angle grinder to rough it out before taking to it with a file... It was something I wanted to try to do....and it works quite well even with me having made it. I wouldn't call it pretty even by Neanderthal standards but it works...

[Steve Whitley]

And you'll get to make your own double ended, open end wrench for adjustments....unless you can find one. I didn't even try and just filed out a wrench.

Clock winding keys are available in the correct sizes for adjusting these square drive sight adjustments, and are quite inexpensive. Be advised, however, that the outer diameter of the keys often must be filed or milled down for use in some applications.

Steve

[mike ford]

w10085,
Simpson Ltd. has a rifle, similar to yours, with both sights installed , and the key. The rifle is in the newly arrived list( but has been sold) and you might take a look at it, to see what the typical sights would look like.
Mike