|
CIVIL WAR COMMERCIALLY MADE ADJUSTABLE .58 CALIBER
TOMPION: As described on page 332 of
Gun Tools, Vol. 1,
by Dorsey, Shaffer and Rutledge, this is a commercially
manufactured .58 caliber tompion which was sold to the
soldiers by such dealers as Schuyler, Hartley and
Graham, or by sutlers who were traveling with the
columns of soldiers.
Measuring 2 3/8” long, the
head and wooden shaft are finely turned out of a quality
hard wood and nicely finished. There is a steel screw
that passes through the tompion’s length and is secured
by a steel nut in a recess in the head. When the shaft
is turned, tightening the screw, the cloth and rubber
composition ring at the center of the wooden shaft
expands to fill the bore.
Like all of these “patent”
tompions, this pattern is far scarcer than the standard
government manufactured and issued tompions. This is a
particularly nice complete example which retains the
original finish to the wood and the cloth and rubber
ring is intact. The ring has taken a “set” from being
stored in the tightened position and has swelled to a
size larger than will fit in a .58 caliber bore, however
given the overall remarkable condition of this piece, it
will still display very well with your other Civil War
tools. SOLD
|
