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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: flatsguide on March 07, 2015, 05:18:59 PM

Title: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: flatsguide on March 07, 2015, 05:18:59 PM

Hi folks,
I'm planning on building a British sporting rifle, around 1790-1810 or thereabout. I was wondering how they attached the barrel mortises or lugs to the barrel in order to accept the tenon or wedges. Knowing that there are quite a few ways to accomplish this,what method did the Brits use in this time period ? Photos would be great!
Thanks a lot, Richard

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: gunmaker on March 07, 2015, 08:12:38 PM

Dovetail on oct bbl. & solder to round, same as their fowler/muskets....

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: Acer Saccharum on March 07, 2015, 08:20:22 PM

Maybe it was Taylor? Someone showed a SHALLOW rectangular pocket chiseled out, with the lips of the pocket raised up. Fit a lug that has beveled edges into the pocket, then peen or burnish down the lips.

This can be accomplished on a round or octagonal barrel.

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: flatsguide on March 07, 2015, 09:06:55 PM

Thanks guys. Tom I think you may be referring to Fred Stutzemberger (sp. ?) He mentioned the way you described Tom, but was not sure that it was correct for that period. Not that it matters that much but it is just as easy to do it right than wrong; most of the time anyway. Let me see if I can find that reference and post it.

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: flatsguide on March 07, 2015, 09:20:00 PM

This is the Fred S article. Don't know how to make a hot link...Sorry


http://www.blackpowder411.com/category/tips-and-tools-with-fred-stutzenberger/

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: jerrywh on March 07, 2015, 09:24:54 PM

Taylor's method is the most artistic method and was used on high grade English firearms of the period. Today most of the makers don't have the skill or the tools to do it. Taylor is capable of things that average people cannot do or are unwilling to try.  Soldering is common and so is dovetailing.
  The elongated inlay that Acer referred to or the Taylor method is sort of an alternate version of the staple type. A precision  hole is made for the elongated piece of metal [the lug] Then the lug is inserted into the hole and the hole is staked around the edges  to hold the lug in.  The other method is virtually a steel inlay. The rectangular hole is cut with a chisel to fit the lug.  The hole is undercut with a undercutting chisel.  Then the lug is put in the hole and pounded in so that the lug will mushroom out at the bottom into the undercut.  Than  cleaned up. If done correctly it appears as though the whole thing was cast together.  Like Taylors.
   Combinations of this are possible also. Thank God for spell check.

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: flatsguide on March 07, 2015, 09:32:47 PM

Tom, who is Taylor that you referred to earlier?
Ah! Thanks Jerry for the explanation.

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: Feltwad on March 08, 2015, 01:25:26 PM

You will find that on 99% of English sporting rifles of that period have a dovetail  cut into the bottom flat  the wedge housing is then soldered in ,this included the larger calibre for stalking down to the smaller Park Rifle
Feltwad

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: flatsguide on March 08, 2015, 04:35:47 PM

Thanks Feltwad
Richard

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: Mike Brooks on March 09, 2015, 03:12:30 AM

Quote from: Acer Saccharum on March 07, 2015, 08:20:22 PM

Maybe it was Taylor? Someone showed a SHALLOW rectangular pocket chiseled out, with the lips of the pocket raised up. Fit a lug that has beveled edges into the pocket, then peen or burnish down the lips.

This can be accomplished on a round or octagonal barrel.

That's what I have seen on the original english guns I have taken apart.

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: Dave B on March 09, 2015, 07:21:01 AM

Here is the link to several examples of the rectangle staples.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=32891.msg315701#msg315701

Title: Re: Barrel attachment for British Sporting Rifle
Post by: flatsguide on March 10, 2015, 04:14:53 PM

Mike, Dave,

Thanks for the info and photo. Appreciate the help.
Richard