Barrels, circa 1765

[bob in the woods]

Talking about barrels, and types of rifling, there are two things I would really like to have before I hang up my shooting bags once and for all.   1st is to try some shallow, straight rifling in a " smoothbore"   .   I have read about it helping with both shot patterns and shooting ball.
2nd, I would love to play with something like this example from the 1765 era , with a heart shaped bore.   Just for fun !

[Craig Wilcox]

Bob, you will encounter some high costs making or having someone make a mold for that.  But, when you get the "projectiles", give a shout and I will come watch you shoot it.
Where in the world did you find that piece of artwork?

[Stophel]

You can tell it's got a pretty fast twist. Probably won't shoot round balls very well....

[Monty59]

Hello, here a similar rifle in an exhibition in a museum in my hometown

Monty

[577SXS]

That must be Cupids gun when he upgraded from a bow. Wild looking bore.

[Greg Pennell]

Pretty neat how the ramrod is made to match the spiral of the bore...but I’m with Eric...I don’t think it’s a round ball gun...

Greg

[kudu]

Pretty deep engraving on that Lock from my eye also!

[jerrywh]

Hello, here a similar rifle in an exhibition in a museum in my hometown

Monty

What impresses me the most about this gun is the wood carving.  Ron Scott could do that I think.
The gold work is very poor. I  can beat that all to pieces.

[Kevin]

Talking about barrels, and types of rifling, there are two things I would really like to have before I hang up my shooting bags once and for all.   1st is to try some shallow, straight rifling in a " smoothbore"   .   I have read about it helping with both shot patterns and shooting ball.
2nd, I would love to play with something like this example from the 1765 era , with a heart shaped bore.   Just for fun !

Bob,

That would certainly be a deadly piece.  Every time it's fired would result in a heart shot.

Sorry, couldn't resist......

Thanks for sharing.  I've not seem a piece like this one before.

Kevin

[flatsguide]

They really had to drift that front sight quite a bit.
Richard

[bob in the woods]

This is from a sporting rifle attributed to Jacob Welster , 1765 ?      Apparently there was more than a bit of experimenting with various bore shapes at the time. Some believe that the heart shaped bore was actually supposed to fire a heavily patched round ball , with the bore shape allowing for the accumulation of BP fouling .  Her's some other types of bores from the period.


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