Help solving a situation
 

A guy I know (honestly not me) got a brass brush stuck in the breech of his sidelock and asked me how he could get it out.
Before I give him my idea which I will explain below do any of you have any ideas?

What I was going to suggest he remove the flash liner and place a twisted patch in the vent hole. Then melt a couple balls and pour it down the muzzle. After considerable cooling time, remove what's left of the patch and place about 10-15 gr of FFFFg into the breech, replace the vent liner and fire it off.
IMO the lead should adhere to the brush forming a plug which should blow out under the light charge.

A worm or jag will not grab it?

It may not if the brush became unscrewed off the rod. Then a worm is out. But depends on the diameter of the threaded end. I'd mess with a corkscrew type jag.


How about a quick high pressure air blow once you have formed the seal?

JW

That's a new one...is it still attached to the cleaning rod/ram rod? If so why not put a T handle on the end an with two people just pull it out?

I have used .54 brushes in a .50 cal and still was able to get the brush out, just sayin...

Bronco this brings back memories.
Many moons ago I was cleaning my TC sidelock and had an end pull out of my cleaning rod when I was using a jag w/patch. It was stuck and I had no clue what to do. I was also new into ML'ing... probably my 1st year.

I don't remember specifics, but somehow I fashioned a sharp screw onto a makeshift rod and was able to drive it into the back end of the stuck part. Used some penetrating oil it lubed everything up enough that I was able to get it out. I just remember working on it for a few days and freaking out because it was a new gun.

I don't remember ever thinking to try and shoot it out. Not sure if it would have worked or not.

Did the brush unscrew or break off, or what?

The corkscrew deal might work. I you could get it to grab the metal part on the brush. The one I have is pretty stout.

A thin wall brass tube, just smaller then the bore diameter, can be pushed down over the brush. That encloses the bristles so it can easily be drawn out. That tubing can be found in hobby shops, or, sometimes in local hardware stores.
Paul

Remove the breech plug.

That to me sounds like a real good idea. :party0005:

I would not try to shoot it out. Where are you located? Are you close to Berks Co? Why not contact Dixon's muzzle loader shop, I am sure with their years of experience they have dealt with similar problems before. They are in Kempton, phone# (610) 756-6271

I was also going to say use a tube. Although I would have said to try to find a copper tube. A copper tubes are easier to find. Push them over the bristles and pull it out. Then buy only brushes that are not crimped in aluminum.