Ironing Patching?

[Danny Ross]

If it wasn't for the sizing/starch they put put on it, I wouldn't have to wash it. Since I have to wash it, I use elbow grease and a hot iron steam iron to straighten it out. Irons go way back, they use to heat them on wood burning stoves, or fires to iron clothes. They came in different weights and sizes. Got a couple of the old ones setting on my stair steps now, they make a good door prop. DANNY

 

[Flintlock]

I iron my balls to get the wrinkles out.

 

[CTShooter]

Little old school trick, hang it on a line to dry, out side is best, natural iron

 

[russellshaffer]

I iron my balls to get the wrinkles out.

Bet you starch your undies too. Ouch. It must be winter when we start this kind of thing.

 

[Cattywompuss]

I have noticed thicker patch material creases in the washing alot. Dinna reckon I'd iron it out though. Unless you are a very serious competition shooter.

 

[cornstalk]

What’s an iron?

 

[Cattywompuss]

What’s an iron?

Another sadly diminishing historical implement of daily life in America: very much akin to traditional muzzleloaders. I would wax poetic about my grandma teaching me to iron on my granddaddy's handkerchiefs, but it's off topic.

 

[Crow-Feather]

What about starch!

Starch, I believe doesn't allow the material to soak up the lube and if you use a spit patch, would taste awful.

 

[waksupi]

I don't think I have ironed patching in 47 years of shooting muzzle loaders. I doubt I start now. The balls don't seem to care.

I pride myself on being cheap, so I stretch my patching as far as I can. I bought enough material to make a couple pairs of pants, and shirts. Give them a dye job so you don't look like Grandpa Jones hunting a banjo, and wear them until you've used up the good in them. Even after they are worn, the back of the legs and such will still have good material to shoot.

 

[Crockford]

I found this Civil War era Ticking patch iron, while searching for artifacts. I believe it is an officers model and very rare. Fits nicely in most bags!

 

[Danny Ross]

Crockford,

I think that is one of the smallest old iron I have ever seen, going by the width of that pillow ticking. DANNY

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

So I did iron my patching. It worked quite nicely.

 

[Crockford]

Danny,
It is a miniature iron of some sort. I actually found it in an area that I search for Indian artifacts. There was a small settlement close to the area in the early 1800's, other than that nothing for a few miles. I have no idea what it could have been used for back then. The older gentlemen that I would hunt artifacts with said in a laughing matter when I pulled it out of the ground that it was a "travel iron" then said maybe a salesman sample or store display? But I reall have no Idea.

 

[Danny Ross]

After I posted my wife was telling me that her mom said, when she was little, she had a Child's Iron to play with. Just like we have miniaturize kitchenware for kids today to cook with Mom. It may have been one that a child played ironing with, while Mom was ironing? It is interesting how like the one you show, some have a double pointed ends and some have a pointed end a flat end like today's irons. Might have been able to crack nuts with it? DANNY