A Question On Musket/Rifle Tampions

[patches]

Back in days of Yore, were these things issued, part of the issue for a soldiers kit, meaning they were mandatory to have, or were they to be personally purchased, and used if wanted or not? Secondly, when did the use of Tampions fall out of favor, with web muzzle covers coming in, 1900s?

[268th C.A.]

I'm not 100% sure if they were issued with each musket. But I can see how they would quickly get lost. also if they get wet enough they will swell in the barrel making them hard to remove. IMO

[patches]

Thanks 268.

[dogfacedsoldier]

From what I just read one tompion was provided for each rifle/musket, so they would have been issued. This is according to the manual for the 61-63 rifles. I'm sure they were easily lost.

[patches]

From what I just read one tompion was provided for each rifle/musket, so they would have been issued. This is according to the manual for the 61-63 rifles. I'm sure they were easily lost.

Thanks dogface.

[illinigander]

I am not familiar with any mention of tompions listed in Civil War Quarterly Ordnance Stores forms. I would think that the brass patented ones would have been privately purchased. They do not seem to turn up as dug relics in the quanity one would assume if they were issue items. I do not know if the 1890's brass muzzle caps were issued or not. Then there are WW 2 condoms. So...

Illinigander

[patches]

I am not familiar with any mention of tompions listed in Civil War Quarterly Ordnance Stores forms. I would think that the brass patented ones would have been privately purchased. They do not seem to turn up as dug relics in the quanity one would assume if they were issue items. I do not know if the 1890's brass muzzle caps were issued or not. Then there are WW 2 condoms. So...

Illinigander

Thanks gander