Thompson TC problem and solution

[Redmoon]

I've seen the problem before and thought I'd share what I did for the solution.
So I keep an eye on the local classifieds for cheap or broken muzzleloaders. I take them and go through each one, make any necessary repairs, maybe add some wire or plate inlays etc. Anyway I was working on a Thompson 50 cal Hawken rifle and I was running a brush down the barrel and got to the bottom and it didn't want to pull back up so I put by back into it and pop... the brush broke off at the bottom of the barrel... one doesn't simply pull the breech plug off a thompson, even with the special wrench your odds of doing it is pretty slim. So I tried unsuccessfully (twice) and defeated I threw the barrel aside and moved on. A few weeks later I was complaining to my wife and she said why can't you put something around the brush down the barrel and pull it out? So I jump up and grab a long piece of 3/8 brass tube I had in the shop, dropped it down the barrel gave it a light whack with a mallet and pulled it up brush in tow! So I hope this helps someone down the road and big shout out to my beautiful genius of a wife!

 

[Whitworth]

Take her out to dinner

 

[Henry Miles]

She's a keeper...

 

[SDSmlf]

Sounds like she has been reading some of the stuck brush threads on the forum.

 

[bubba.50]

Hang around and maybe she can teach you a few more handy tips like that.