doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com unknown tool

I have had this tool for a long time, and assumed it was a nipple wrench, but a few days ago I tried it, and now see that it is not constructed to remove/replace percussion nipples. Note the percussion nipple wrench would have parallel sides to grip the nipple. The sides on this tool's jaws are rounded, so would not turn anything. Each end , differing in size, has the same configuration. What is this tool ?

Maybe a nipple wrench? The nipple would have been shaped to match the tool, or vice versa, were that the case.

Drum wrench I believe, the nipple fits in the notch and the cylindrical portion goes over the body of the drum.

Could be a tool used to align ferrules that hold ramrod without bending or collapsing them?

Mr. Hale, can you explain a little more about your thought. I don't quite understand. Thanks, Daryl

The guides that hold a ramrod beneath the barrel(s) of a muzzle loader were normally filed fairly thin for weight savings and esthetics. Many were screwed to place I was just thinking that this tool could be used to rotate them to place without damaging them out of round. Just a thought. I’m fairly certain it was used to handle a cylindrical object without damaging it. That indicates a hollow tube. Beyond that it’s just a guess.

The two jaws measure in width 0.22" and 0.10". Total length is 5 1/8". Inside diameters measure .315" and .255". It may not have any bearing but the direction of the jaw openings are 90 degrees different from each other.

SKB, your thought on a drum tightening tool is interesting. Although I know little about drums, I can imagine a drum application. The tool is well made, and made to a purpose. Now, what is that purpose?

The drum is the round portion that a nipple screws in to on flintlock conversion or lower quality percussion guns that were built lacking a patent breach.

Not speaking for Steven, but if he is correct the tool would be used to install the drum in the side of the barrel breech, or to remove same for some type of repair. It is not often that a drum is required to be removed. Nipples are normally replaced with the drum in place. Maybe when the internal threads for the nipple go bad, the drum would be replaced.

But Steven, I cannot picture this tool doing that. The "flats" on a drum would have to be projections that would be next to the barrel, for the notches to engage. I've never seen a drum so made, original or repro. Can you help me understand how exactly it would function in that regard? (Maybe I need more coffee this morning )