Brick dust

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Anyone out there know of a commercial source for brickdust, or will I continue to have to resort to making my own for martial polishing/period gun cleaning tasks?

[Blair]

Ross,

Could what you are asking for be a form of powdered "red" Jewelers Rouge?

http://www.widgetsupply.com/page/WS/CTGY/jeweler-rouge

There are various grits associated with different types of grinding, polishing and buffing compounds.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Thats a good modern equivelent, and convenient to use at home, but I'm looking for bulk, ground powder to use for living history displays and use at events. I've come across alot of reference to brick dust being supplied to soldiers here in Florida in the 1830's, one in particular calling for its use to be stopped, since it was wearing down the barrels of the muskets. Not alot to do in a soldier's spare time but maintenance...

[retter]

Avalon Forge used to sell it on their website. They sold it mostly in paper packets but they may have it in bulk. There site is www.avalonforge.com.

[3rdUSRedleg]

Please enlighten me on this subject.
Exactly what do you do with "brick dust"?

I have 5 pounds of red oxide "Ochra"
if some can be of use to what ever your doing.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Brick dust is used, like ash, as a mild abrasive to polish brass, musket barrels, and other assorted sundry uses. You wet down a rag, dab it in the dust, and rub vigorously. You would then use a clean rag to wipe off. It is an excellent field rust remover, and gives a decent polish. Like the contemporary reference shared with me, you have to be careful using it over time, as it will wear down metal.

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Avalon Forge used to sell it on their website. They sold it mostly in paper packets but they may have it in bulk. There site is www.avalonforge.com.
Bingo! Thats where I last purchased some from and it was driving me nuts trying to remember. Thanks a bunch.

[3rdUSRedleg]

Interesting, and thank you.

[MrsArmstrong]

http://www.beamclay.com/product_brochures/beam_clay/red%20brick%20dust%20&%20red%20lava%20dust.pdf

Is this what you are looking for?

[Ephraim_Zook]

Rules for the Cleaning and Management of the Rifle Musket, Model 1855 makes ample references to the use of rottenstone or flour of emery for cleaning. It makes a great brass polish too and can be gotten from furniture refinishing suppliers.


TO CLEAN THE BARREL.



1st. Stop the hole in the cone (3, e) with a peg of soft wood; pour a gill of water (warm, if it can be had) into the muzzle; let it stand a short time, to soften the deposit of the powder; put a plug of soft wood into the muzzle, and shake the water up and down the barrel well; pour this out and repeat the washing until the water comes out clear; take out the peg from the cone, and stand the barrel, muzzle downwards, to drain, for a few moments.

2d. Screw the wiper (50, c) on to the end of the ramrod (6, e), and put a piece of dry cloth, or tow, round it, sufficient to prevent it from chafing the grooves of the barrel; wipe the barrel quite dry, changing or drying the cloth two or three times.

3d. Put no oil into the vent (3, e), as it will clog the passage, and cause the first primer to miss fire; but, with a slightly oiled rag on the wiper, rub the bore of the barrel, and the face of the breech-screw (2, e), and immediately insert the tompion (55) into the muzzle.

4th. To clean the exterior of the barrel, lay it flat on a bench, or board, to avoid bending it. The practice of supporting the barrel at each end and rubbing it with a strap or buff-stick, or with the ramrod, or any other instrument, to burnish it, is pernicious, and should be strictly forbidden.

5th. After firing, the barrel should always be washed as soon as practicable; when the water comes off clear, wipe the barrel dry, and pass into it a rag moistened with oil.

Fine flour of emery-cloth is the best article to clean the exterior of the barrel.



TO CLEAN THE LOCK.



Wipe every part with a moist rag, and then a dry one; if any part of the interior shows rust, put a drop of oil on the point or end of a piece of soft wood dipped into flour of emery; rub out the rust clean and wipe the surface dry; then rub every part with a slightly oiled rag.



TO CLEAN THE MOUNTINGS.



For the mountings, and all of the iron and steel parts, use fine flour of emery moistened with oil, or flour of emery-cloth.

For brass, use rotten-stone moistened with vinegar, or water, and keep free from oil or grease. Use a hard brush, or a piece of soft pine, cedar, or crocus-cloth.

Remove dirt from the screw-holes by screwing a piece of soft wood into them.

Wipe clean with a linen rag, and leave the parts slightly oiled.

In cleaning the arms, great care should be observed to preserve the qualities essential to service, rather than to obtain a bright polish.

Burnishing the barrel (or other parts) should be strictly avoided, as it tends to crook the barrel, and also to destroy the uniformity of the exterior finish of the arm.

[Southern Cal]

A soldier in the field without any abrasives one can still polish the barrel and other smooth metal parts by running the ramrod over the metal as necessary. I believe the practice was often frowned on, but when the officers aren't looking... A thick piece of buckskin or leather used with fine mineral soil (not dirt with organic material in it) works in a pinch as well.