Author Topic: Top Swage  (Read 2934 times)

Offline Shreckmeister

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Top Swage
« on: April 05, 2011, 11:08:12 PM »
Picked up this great example of a top swage  for the Shreckengost Museum.  Thought others might like to see it.  Appears well used.
« Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 05:32:18 AM by suzkat »
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Bill of the 45th

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Re: Top Swage Hammer for gun barrel making
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2011, 01:34:35 AM »
Suzkat, yes that's a top swage, but it's not a hammer,  the handle is so the person holding it, doesn't have his hands broken or burned.  The smith strikes it with his hammer or power hammer.  In the process it will get quite warm.   Looks a bit big for a barrel swage, as most barrels are just finished round on the swage block, by rotating.  The American Pioneer videos have good DVD's on barrel making.

Bill
Bill Knapp
Over the Hill, What Hill, and when did I go over it?

dannybb55

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Re: Top Swage Hammer for gun barrel making
« Reply #2 on: April 06, 2011, 02:09:42 AM »
Most likely that swage was for machinery forging, making 1/2 round stock, drawing and shouldering tennons, smoothing tapered forgings. You can get more done with a V shaped face, top and bottom. V s make things square or octagonal with a 1/4 turn. You can even get round if you keep it moving. The edges should be rebated a little so that you don't develop any cold shuts.

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Top Swage Hammer for gun barrel making
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2011, 05:31:15 AM »
Appears I was misinformed about the use of this tool.  I appreciate your
setting me straight.  I was at gunmaking school tonight and the master
told me the same thing.  Still happy to have it.  I've been trying to locate
a early 19th century swage block for the museum.  Any idea where one might be found?
« Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 05:33:47 AM by suzkat »
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

LURCHWV@BJS

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Re: Top Swage
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2011, 05:59:04 AM »
Suzkat,

  There was an Antique shop in my area that had a whole box of different Top Swage's.  Give me a couple dayz to see if the old owner still has them.

   Rich