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Musket Barrel Covers?

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Le Pierre leather sells these but you could easily make one I guess.

Other than giving you somewhere to grab and not burn your hands in the heat of competition shooting, is there any legitimate historical for these?

I noticed a reenactor at a living History event had one on a .58 Springfield musket.
 
I have never seen reference to one in all the research I have done on Rev War and Civil War nor have I seen the remnants of one on any period firearm. There are times when one might be handy but a glove works fine too and is more authentic. Very easy to make but I'm surprised a reenactor had one at an event.
The confederates used canvas, both painted and natural, in place of leather in a lot of their gear but I have never heard of a painted canvas revolver holster like they offer.
 
I'm thinking these are a "historically inaccurate " item made for match shooters , for convenience so you don't have to grab a barrel heated by rapid fire, and don't want gloves so you can load as fast as possible?

Maybe the reenactor I saw was a Skirmish shooter?

Or it's a way to break up heat mirage for target shooters?
 
The wouldn't be allowed in the N-SSA. I have tried a glove on the off hand as a lot of shooters do. I didn't like it but if it hindered loading at all no one would use it. My wife shoots with gloves, trigger finger hand has the fingers cut off and it doesn't bother her loading/shooting. I was having a good day a couple of years ago on an extremely hot August day and the barrel got so hot in each event I couldn't grip the barrel/stock to hold the gun to load. I slipped a rag through the upper sling swivel to grab while loading. I still won't wear a glove, just don't like it. I remember having the barrel of my Bess so hot at reenactments that it almost blistered my fingers, had to hold it by the sling swivel while I loaded, still no glove or barrel cover. The only gun that should have leather round the barrel is the Sharps & Hankins Navy carbine. :) Pain builds character so just grin and bear it. ;)
 
As has been noted by others, I've never seen anything similar in period photos or documentation. Among the Civil War crowd that I've seen, it tends to be the less authentic who use them. Another downside to them is the promotion of rust, since from what I've seen, they're not removed for cleaning.

Mike
 
Someone's take on tampions - a muzzle plug to keep unwanted matter out of the barrel.
 
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