LESSONS FROM THE LAZY CORPORAL...
This is the Way we Clean our Musket?

As of this year, all soldiers must produce a musket cleaning kit... "Be not Afraid." The costs remain small, and the rewards will be tremendous. For ease of use, even in the face of the public, I recommend one that is portable and authentic. The necessary items are listed below. Musketeers must invest in at least the mandatory items.

MANDATORY
• Worm (& Adapter)
• Oil
• Touch-hole Tool
• 2 Cotton/Linen Rags
• Whisk & Pick
• 24 Cotton/Linen Swabs
OPTIONAL
• Flask
• Flask Solvent
• Extra Plugs
• Extra Rags
• Extra Flints

The heart and soul of any kit remains the musket tool. They come in many shapes and sizes, but are essentially a screw-driver. This tool will help you install flints and remove the lock for cleaning. You can get them from just about anyone including Godwin's, Townsend's, and Brian Bradley.

The Worm is a two-pronged cork screw. This item attaches to the ramrod to swab out the musket barrel. If you own a Japanese produced replica, you will also need to purchase an adapter. Again, everyone sells these. See the vendors mentioned above.

One cannot swab out the barrel without cloth swabs. Simply cut up old clothing into 2" X 2" squares. Please try to use only cotton or linen in neutral colors, since soldiers were not privy to polyester at that time.

Touch-hole plugs are simply small slivers of wood that keep hot water from running out the touchhole during cleaning. I use 1/8" wooden dowels sharpened in a pencil sharpener. This is not historically accurate, but beats whittling your own. No Pencils, Please.

A whisk and pick will keep your touch-hole and powder pan clean. Essentially this item consist of a large metal pin connected to a small brush by a chain. Sometimes the pins are curved for easier access to the touch-hole. Brushes should be made of natural fibers only. These items are all sold by the above mentioned sutlers.

The final mandatory items are two cotton or linen rags. One serves to wipe away the black, oily crud from metal parts. The other to dry and oil the item. Once again, I stress that these rags consist of a natural fiber material, preferably in a non-Brady Bunch color scheme. You can find scrap material or clothing at sewing stores or garage sales for mere pennies.

Optional items serve only to supplement the kit. Small bottles of oil or solvent are acceptable. I use to drain those travel-size liquor bottles until I found Hobby Lobby and other stores carry these items. Now I just drain them for fun.

Extra plugs, flints, linen swabs, and rags are encouraged. Using only one to three of these items gets dirty quick! For those who wish to be an l8th century MacGiver, look at the list below. These items, while not exactly historically accurate, will help with more elaborate cleanings at home. Please consult with the nearest NCO befo investing in these or using them on your musket.

Farby Extras:
• Flint Knapper
• Small File
• Brillo Pads / Steel Wool
• Pliers / Vice Grips 1/32"
• Nail Set
• Small Tack Hammer

By Mark Krug