gun sock question

[smokey]

Greetings to all.
What types of materials besides white canvas can a gun sock be made of?
Thanks
Andy

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

Although not relative to Civil War soldiers, but sometimes a concern for modern-day reenactors...

"Blanket weight" woolens and thicker wool blankets make great covers, as they are thick enough to protect from the "unauthentic" looking type scratches and dings cars and trucks like to place on stocks- but they are not barriers to moisture (materials that keep water out, trap water inside as well).

The ultimate form of to-and-fro event protection is the aluminum or fibreglas/plastic "suitcases" with padded foam linings.

Curt

[Craig L Barry]

Curt hit this long and straight. What I would suggeset is to wrap your weapon in your gum blanket and tie it with a string. There are no period correct ways to carry your musket in a pick-up truck.

[smokey]

So basically anything that protects my rifle would work such as wool..etc?

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Since we're talking about a modern item and not something ever issued by a government source, you can use anything such as padded canvas, blanket weight wool, a rubberized sheet, shoot I know I guy who had a ripped modern tent that he cut up and made musket covers for and they worked out o.k. From a period standpoint, Craig gave a good idea of wrapping it in a rubber blanket or ground cloth, but for modern keeping, you've got alot of options. For what little its worth, I usually just wrap mine in a cheap civilian blanket and tie it with some hemp cord until I get to the event.

[Curt-Heinrich Schmidt]

Hallo!

"So basically anything that protects my rifle would work such as wool..etc?"

In brief and to over-generalize...

Since we are talking outside of Civil War material culture, yes...

In the Modern World, whatever a lad chooses that protects one's musket or rifle from vehicle transport impact hits and moisture will work.

CHS

Yes, historically, in the civilian world for example, there are examples of woolen "snow covers" as well leather sheaths, leather scabbards, and even Plains Indian hide gun covers (often elaborately quilled and/or beaded.)

[smokey]

Thanks to everyone

[Rob Weaver]

As others have already pointed out, use anything that works since nothing is correct for the period. I use a canvas gun sock because once I take the musket out, it's easy to wad up and put in my pack until I need it again.
I've only ever seen 1 period reference to soldiers using gun covers/cases: in "Life Among the Apache," the author notes that soldiers on patrols were in the habit of covering their guns with cases. I'm thinking probably the leather or wool blanket cases somewhat like Kit Carson used for his Spenser.

[toptimlrd]

Just to concur with the majority here, if you are wanting something to protect the weapon in the field, simply wrap it in your gum blanket or ground cloth to keep moisture off. When on campaign I place my ground cloth down, lay my musket on the edge (unless we are stacking of course), roll it over once, then I sleep beside it. In the morning it's damp free and ready for morning inspection. As to transport, I use a fleece lined canvas sock for transport and storage at home, it gives just the right amount of padding to protect the weapon in the back of the truck.

[Bill_Cross]

Turning the telescope around for a moment....

I have warned against STORING a musket in any of these materials, as they either place nasties in contact with it (moisture), or seal in said nasties. I'm talking about when we're NOT in the field, going there or coming home.

I realize that's not what the man asked, I'm just widening the discussion slightly for the benefit of all who might be new to this insane hobby of ours.

[TheQM]

Turning the telescope around for a moment....

I have warned against STORING a musket in any of these materials, as they either place nasties in contact with it (moisture), or seal in said nasties. I'm talking about when we're NOT in the field, going there or coming home.

I realize that's not what the man asked, I'm just widening the discussion slightly for the benefit of all who might be new to this insane hobby of ours.

Bill,

I agree. I transport my Civil War weapons in canvas bags with a draw-string flap, but I would never store them that way. I store my weapons in a rack, after they've been cleaned. During storage, I will occasionally wipe them down with a rag, that's about twenty years old and soaked with a mixture of Ballistol, WD-40, Hoppe's #9, LSA, Break Free, Thompson's Bore Butter, Pecard leather dressing, and God only knows what else.