Muzzle shaping.

[Jerry V Lape]

When you build a rifle, how do you treat the eight edges of the muzzle?  Do you leave them square or radius them off?  I seem to hit my hand on those edges all the time when loading and was thinking of putting a nice radious on them so I lose a little less blood.  I don't know what is historically correct on a Lancaster. 

[Ed Wenger]

Jerry,

I like to slightly round this area for the reason you mention.  I use emery cloth over a wood block.  It's not much, just knock off the sharp edges.  In fact, I like to do that on most hard edges, like on the toe of the butt piece, and the hard edges of the rear sight. 

I don't know about the historical correctness, but its easier on the users hands...

              Ed

[rich pierce]

Agree, a gun should never hurt the user just handling it.

[wetzel]

I'll be curious to hear about what is historically correct, though I imagine with enough use many sharp edges are worn somewhat over time.  I hadn't thought of doing it myself until you mentioned it but think its a great idea. 

[Dave Dolliver]

My practice has been to break the edge with a smooth file at 45 degrees.  I'd lke to know what was done in colonial times, also.

Dave Dolliver

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Historically, I don't think there was a conscious effort to remove those sharp corners.  Apart from routine polishing, I don't round them off.  But being young, I heal quickly.

[greybeard]

I do with a fine file. I'm old and don't heal as fast as Taylor do.
Bob

[caliber45]

Heck, I bleed enough just slipping with the patch-cutting knife. I chuck the muzzle end of the barrel in my milling/lathe multipurpose machine and radius the corners off the outside. Looks good, doesn't cut me. Then I radius the sharp edges off the rifling. Looks good, doesn't cut the patches. -- paulallen, tucson az

[t.caster]

I do like D. Dolliver....smooth file at 45 degrees.
The two originals I have don't look like any effort was made to dull the edges.