Cleaning rods

bg45 · 07-26-2006, 11:58 PM

I have read several posts on cleaning rods and seen a few of them but I am baffled as to how they work. They don't look like anything I've ever used to clean a gun. They are much smaller than the diameter of the barrel. Do you push a cleaning patch through with them?

Edward Tinker · 07-27-2006, 02:02 AM

Well, to me they look like a cleaning rod with the end already attached? In the US Army we had rod shaped the same except it had a hole for the patch to go through. The german ones the patch just slides over the top. A cleaning kit from say hoppes has a small pistol rod that you attach a metal or plastic piece. It can be holllow for a patch or solid, and each is much smaller than the bore.

The WW2 kits were multi purpose and had a chain that you pulled the patch through the bore.

Ed

lugerholsterrepair · 07-27-2006, 11:13 AM

Gentlemen, The cleaning rod was multi functional. Cleaning rod was something of a misnomer. It was used to push an oiled patch, clear the bore of debris and push out stuck cartridges or spent brass. The German rod provided could not really provide very thourough cleaning use but was still usefull in many ways. These were meant for field use. Found on 1934 holsters, Police, Imperial Navy and Artillery as well as some others I fail to mention. A thourough cleaning would involve at least some solvent, small toothbrush and like Ed says a copper brush pulled through the bore and barrel. A cloth patch would also be handy. These items were probably not readily available to the average German Soldier in the field. Perhaps there was a field armorer who provided these. Jerry Burney

bg45 · 07-28-2006, 12:25 AM

There is just something about pushing a steel rod into a gun barrel that makes me nervous. I'd be so afraid of damaging the bore. Thanks for the info. You guys help make me smarter.

lugerholsterrepair · 07-28-2006, 10:32 AM

Bill, I don't recommend you do it either. You have to remember these were field expedients. Meant to be used when needed. The Germans also used brass tips and muzzle protectors. Actually the bore is least in need of cleaning. The chamber areas need it much more after fireing. Another thing, rust was probably a bigger problem than fouling. When shooting I have found a rod to be important on the range to clear stoppages. Jerry Burney

07-26-2006, 11:58 PM	#1
bg45 User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Cleaning rods I have read several posts on cleaning rods and seen a few of them but I am baffled as to how they work. They don't look like anything I've ever used to clean a gun. They are much smaller than the diameter of the barrel. Do you push a cleaning patch through with them?

07-27-2006, 11:13 AM	#3
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,768 Thanks: 4,892 Thanked 3,122 Times in 1,433 Posts	Gentlemen, The cleaning rod was multi functional. Cleaning rod was something of a misnomer. It was used to push an oiled patch, clear the bore of debris and push out stuck cartridges or spent brass. The German rod provided could not really provide very thourough cleaning use but was still usefull in many ways. These were meant for field use. Found on 1934 holsters, Police, Imperial Navy and Artillery as well as some others I fail to mention. A thourough cleaning would involve at least some solvent, small toothbrush and like Ed says a copper brush pulled through the bore and barrel. A cloth patch would also be handy. These items were probably not readily available to the average German Soldier in the field. Perhaps there was a field armorer who provided these. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-28-2006, 10:32 AM	#5
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,768 Thanks: 4,892 Thanked 3,122 Times in 1,433 Posts	Bill, I don't recommend you do it either. You have to remember these were field expedients. Meant to be used when needed. The Germans also used brass tips and muzzle protectors. Actually the bore is least in need of cleaning. The chamber areas need it much more after fireing. Another thing, rust was probably a bigger problem than fouling. When shooting I have found a rod to be important on the range to clear stoppages. Jerry Burney __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-27-2006, 02:02 AM	#2
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,926 Thanks: 2,014 Thanked 4,523 Times in 2,089 Posts	Well, to me they look like a cleaning rod with the end already attached? In the US Army we had rod shaped the same except it had a hole for the patch to go through. The german ones the patch just slides over the top. A cleaning kit from say hoppes has a small pistol rod that you attach a metal or plastic piece. It can be holllow for a patch or solid, and each is much smaller than the bore. The WW2 kits were multi purpose and had a chain that you pulled the patch through the bore. Ed

07-28-2006, 12:25 AM	#4
bg45 User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	There is just something about pushing a steel rod into a gun barrel that makes me nervous. I'd be so afraid of damaging the bore. Thanks for the info. You guys help make me smarter.