Started the New Year with a bang...and a headache.

[gemmer]

Pulling the breech plug on a Bess barrel can be difficult because there are no flats at the breech end as opposed to say, an 1816 Springfield barrel. A round barrel will just spin in a vice unless you make blocks to fit the barrel and coat them with rosin.

 

[Griz44Mag]

Now it's time to invest in a good brass rod with a T-handle.
Makes a great range companion and makes the task of ball pulling a lot easier.
Last ball I had to pull I screwed in the puller, turned it muzzle down and stepped onto the T-handle and pulled the gun off the ball.
60 seconds for the whole operation.