AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: davec2 on September 15, 2009, 09:30:40 AM

Title: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: davec2 on September 15, 2009, 09:30:40 AM: A friend of mine liked shooting my blunderbuss so much, he asked me to help him build one. He has gather up all the required parts including an Ed Rayl, 4 gage, simple flared steel barrel. However, he liked the decorative bands I put on the muzzle of my brass barrel and so I have added bands to his steel one.

The first photo shows the plain steel barrel and the brass one together for comparison. Both are 4 gage.

(https://image.ibb.co/dEiXcH/BBBarrel1.jpg) (http://imgbb.com/)

The first step in adding muzzle rings was to machine two steel blank bands with an internal contour that closely matched the barrel flare.

(https://image.ibb.co/eXeSBc/BBBarrel3.jpg) (http://ibb.co/dbv0Wc)

(https://image.ibb.co/mcdb4x/BBBarrel5.jpg) (http://ibb.co/m0mUPx)

There is a little back and forth fitting required to get the bands to seat at the correct location, so they have to come on and off a few times and have some additional machining done with each iteration. However, it doesn't take more than 15 minutes or so to final fit each ring.

(https://image.ibb.co/fZ9SBc/BBBarrel6.jpg) (http://imgbb.com/)

(https://image.ibb.co/fpdyHH/BBBarrel7.jpg) (http://imgbb.com/)

The blank rings were then brazed / soldered in place with Hi Force (~600 degree silver bearing material).

(https://image.ibb.co/ifwkxH/BBBarrel8_2.jpg) (http://imgbb.com/)

Once cool, the barrel was set up in the lathe for final machining of the bands.

(https://image.ibb.co/jr0dHH/BBBarrel9.jpg) (http://ibb.co/c23b4x)

(https://preview.ibb.co/dPYbux/IMG_4464.jpg) (http://ibb.co/f5r71c)

I ground a form tool to cut the central decorative ring and shaped the rest with files. This part is much easier in brass where I use wood turning tools and run the lathe at high speed. The brass cuts just like wood and it is very easy to turn any decorative shape you want. The steel works a little harder.

Finished bands

(https://preview.ibb.co/mrJ9Ex/IMG_4466.jpg) (http://ibb.co/jKibux)

Before the new muzzle bands

(https://image.ibb.co/bu9SBc/BBBarrel2.jpg) (http://imgbb.com/)

And after

(https://image.ibb.co/cmqOjx/BBBarrel12.jpg) (http://imgbb.com/)

Just personal preference, but I like the cannon look.
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Mike Brooks on September 15, 2009, 02:35:53 PM: Pretty cool!
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Tim Crosby on September 15, 2009, 03:45:19 PM: Neat, nicly done. Keep us posted on it's progress.

Tim C.
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: JTR on September 15, 2009, 03:50:55 PM: Since the thing is pretty much a cannon, very appropriate.
Nice lathe work!
John
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: louieparker on September 15, 2009, 04:11:08 PM: Great Job !!! LP
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: J. Talbert on September 15, 2009, 05:49:48 PM: Slick job!

Improved the look 1000%

Jeff
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Rolf on September 15, 2009, 07:47:34 PM: Beautiful work!! Thanks for posting the pictures.

Best regards
Rolfkt
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: volatpluvia on September 16, 2009, 04:12:43 AM: Davec,
I am in awe! Speechless, actually. :o ;D
volatpluvia
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: steveA on September 16, 2009, 04:59:50 AM: OK, a lurker has to speak up. That's the coolest thing I've ever seen!!

Steve
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: B Shipman on September 16, 2009, 05:13:04 AM: Like the compass engraved on the top of the barrel too.
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Dphariss on September 16, 2009, 07:22:48 AM: Very nice.

Dan
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Dr. Tim-Boone on September 16, 2009, 09:58:33 PM: You really do nice precision work!! I like the engraved compass too.....one of my friends from LA told me if I would do that on my powder horn............I would never be lost..................... So far, so good...........:D :D
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: lew wetzel on September 17, 2009, 06:24:03 AM: very nice work..the owner of the steel barrel is very lucky to have you as a friend....bravo zulu....
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Brian on September 17, 2009, 06:31:59 AM: Man - you ARE good with that lathe! Fantastic!
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Brian Jordan on September 17, 2009, 01:45:00 PM: Fantastic Job! Nice machine work!
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: smart dog on September 17, 2009, 06:41:41 PM: Hi Dave,
Thank you for posting this. It would be great to archive it as a tutorial. You are a superb craftsman and gun maker.

dave
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: davec2 on September 17, 2009, 09:27:45 PM: Dave,

Thanks, but, as Clint Eastwood said in one of the Dirty Harry movies, "a man's got to know his limitations..." I am still a hack compared to many of you out there. But I'm learning.

I was actually in the middle of building two long rifles back in 2006 or 2007 when I discovered this board. I stopped work on both because I was learning so much so fast from reading other people's posts. They are both straight barreled, .50 cal, rifles and I am trying now to decide if I should finish them or not. I haven't done anything on them that I really hate, but, now having started a couple of other rifles with swamped barrels, I don't know if they are worth the time. Perhaps I will finish them as an opportunity just to practice "gunbuilding" before I finish the swamped barreled guns.

Meanwhile, the blunderbuss is a fun gun to help my friend with.

Dave C
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: J. Talbert on September 17, 2009, 11:26:14 PM: I'd say you're a pretty quick study! ;D

Jeff
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: gunnersmateguns on March 21, 2015, 01:12:48 AM: Pretty awesome skills right there. I wish I had just half that kind of talent!
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Kermit on March 21, 2015, 01:44:09 AM: Dave, does that yellow barrel only shoot accurately when pointed at true north? I suppose at 4 bore that matters little.
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Gaeckle on March 21, 2015, 04:24:51 PM: I like it, but how do you put the front sight on? ;D
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Keithbatt on March 21, 2015, 06:46:49 PM: How do you sight over a spring bayonet? Hopefully soon I can report back and let you know. ;D
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: Daryl on March 21, 2015, 07:52:45 PM: Point and shoot only - would work just fine with that gun.
Title: Re: Blunderbuss Barrel Modification
Post by: davec2 on March 21, 2015, 11:50:22 PM: Yes, Daryl, I think these guns typify the original concept of "point and click"....followed by a loud noise.