Ramrod handle

Abstract

A handle for the ramrod of a muzzle loading firearm which has storage means for the ramrod on its barrel is releasably attached to the ramrod and movable between a first locked position wherein it is coaxial with the ramrod and a second locked position wherein it is perpendicular to the ramrod, the handle having a seating surface which allows it to be stored on the firearm barrel regardless of the cross sectional shape of the firearm barrel.

1 . In combination with a ramrod for a firearm having a barrel of the muzzle-loading type with means on the barrel for storing the ramrod, the improvement which comprises, a handle for the ramrod, and connector means on the handle for releasably interconnecting the handle and ramrod, said connector means being axially slideable and pivotally swingable relative to the handle.  
   
   
       2 . In the combination according to  claim 1 , including means on the handle for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm when the handle is attached to the ramrod and the ramrod is stored on the barrel of the firearm.  
   
   
       3 . In combination with a ramrod for a firearm having a barrel of the muzzle-loading type with means on the barrel for storing the ramrod, the improvement which comprises, a handle for the ramrod, first means on the handle for releasably interconnecting the handle and ramrod, said first means being axially slideable and pivotally swingable relative to the handle between a position wherein the handle and ramrod are in coaxial alignment and a position wherein the handle and ramrod are each perpendicular to the other, and second means on the handle for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm when the handle is attached to the ramrod in a position of coaxial alignment and the ramrod is stored on the barrel of the firearm.  
   
   
       4 . In a handle for the ramrod of a firearm having a barrel of the muzzle-loading type with means on the barrel for storing the ramrod, the improvement which comprises, an interior bore in the handle, a connector member in said interior bore, means for releasably attaching the connector member to the ramrod, the connector member being axially slideable and pivotable relative to said interior bore, and stop means on the handle for limiting the range of sliding and pivotable movement of the connector member.  
   
   
       5 . In the combination according to  claim 4 , including means on an exterior surface of the handle for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm when the handle is attached to the ramrod in a position of coaxial alignment and the ramrod is stored on the barrel of the firearm.  
   
   
       6 . In the combination according to  claim 1 , wherein said connector means is disposed in an interior bore in the handle.  
   
   
       7 . In the combination according to  claim 3 , wherein said second means comprises a depression in an exterior surface of the handle and ribs in the depression for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm.  
   
   
       8 . In the combination according to  claim 3 , wherein said second means comprises, a longitudinally-extending depression in an exterior surface of the handle and a pair of spaced, parallel, longitudinally-extending, inclined ribs in said depression for seating the handle relative to the barrel of the firearm.  
   
   
       9 . In the combination according to  claim 1 , including stop means on the handle for limiting the range of axially slideable and pivotally swingable movement of said connector means relative to the handle.  
   
   
       10 . In a handle according to  claim 4 , wherein said stop means comprise, a closed end on said interior bore, a pair of slots in the handle communicating with said interior bore and having closed ends, a pin on the connector member extending into and axially slideable relative to said slots, and a slot in the handle having a closed end and an open end and communicating with said interior bore, with the ramrod extending into said slot.  
   
   
       11 . In a handle according to  claim 4 , wherein said means for releasably attaching the connector member to the ramrod is a threaded stem on the connector member receivable in a threaded bore in the ramrod.