32" "rifled" Octagon to Round barrels

[galamb]

MBS has listed some Colerain 32" rifled (in 40 and 45 cal) Octagon to Round barrels.

The breech is 7/8" (no other dims save the length) and they are threaded for a 5/8"x18 plug.

The weights listed are 2lbs 12oz and 3lbs (2lbs 16oz in the listing).

I'm wracking my brain trying to figure what I could possibly build one of these into - has me intrigued and considering picking one up before they "go away".

Suggestions?

[JoeG]

They would make a nice scaled down boys or ladies rifle

You could also use one to build an English Rook rifle

[Kermit]

Hey, Joe, I like the idea of an ML rook rifle! I might have to think on that one.

BTW, I still shoot that fowler you built for me in about '88.

[galamb]

Yes, thanks - the rook rifle does sound like an option.

My first thought when I saw the listing was - 32", that would be pretty nice out of my deer stand - fairly compact in overall length.

And upon re-reading the description it looks like they made an error in the weight - if the 40 cal is 2lb 12oz the 45 would probably be 2lb 6oz (not 2lb 16oz as listed which I called 3 lbs)

In either case it would make for a pretty light rifle.

[Hungry Horse]

 Sounds like these barrels would make a sweet swivel breech, or fixed breech double gun, either side by side or O/U.

                   Hungry Horse

[pushboater]

I was just thinking the same thing Hungry Horse. In .45, if you designed it right, you could end up with a swivel breech in the 8 lb range. Sweet!

[galamb]

Would an octagon to round look totally out of place on a Baker rifle design?

[woodboxmaker]

How about an English sporting rifle like perhaps, a Rigby?

[galamb]

Thanks, considered a Rigby but am fond of full stocks so looking for something along that line.

Don't really need another project, working on one and have another waiting to start but in case these barrels are a "one time shot" (will ask on Monday), want to at least have an idea of what I would use it for before I order one and put it away...

[J. Talbert]

Those sound like the specs for the barrel used on a boy's rifle kit that was around a few years back.  I believe Fred Miller offered it, though there may have been others.  If my memory serves me correctly, it was a Bucks county pattern, using the Becky lock.

I can't swear on the details.

Speaking from experience, the .45 cal would be a good choice for a boy's rifle.  I made a boy's gun years ago, with a swamped .32 cal barrel, 3/4 inch at the breach.  Though the 3/4 scale gun fit the boys well, the barrel weight was still a bit heavy for them.
The lighter .45 cal with a light charge would be a better choice IMO.

Jeff

[gunmaker]

Light English game rifle.  Walnut fullstock, Chamber's late Ketland lock, brass or steel trim.  Just a thought, cause I like those game/rook rifles.  Oh, and have mr. Roller tune the lock.  Maybe I better look at those bbl. as well.....Tom

[frogwalking]

Trqaditional Newengland underhammer.

[Bob Roller]

One flaw in the plan. I don't "tune"locks by other makers.
The Double Gun Journal has published fine articles and
color pictures of Rook Rifles over the years but all of them
were late style half stock caplocks.
Bob Roller

[galamb]

I have a vision appearing -

Ketland built Baker rifle - 1810'ish

Walnut full stock with my 15' LOP (which is adjusted for my hunting clothes) would give an overall length of 49/50"

Chambers Classic Ketland flintlock

Maybe a hooked Hawken pistol (flint) breech (I'm kinda stuck on patent breeches)

45 cal would make a fine "bambi" rifle, but the 40 is legal also and I do hunt at bow range - hmmmm

[Old Salt]

I built a boy's version of a trade gun with a 33" .45 octagon to round barrel.  The lock is a Queen Anne's pistol lock from Chambers.       

[smokinbuck]

These sound like the barrels that were used for the boys rifle kit, that was mentioned, by Mike Lea a number of years ago. I think he also used Fred Miller stock blanks.
Mark

[galamb]

Just a follow up to my original post.

I got some details from Ryan at MBS about the barrels.

They get them from Colerain who run the barrels as a special order once a year. He stated that the demand far outstripped his expectations and he only has 1 remaining in 40 cal and 2 in 45 cal.

The dimensions he provided were as follows:

These are tapered and flared barrels:

.875 at the breech tapering to .812 at the end of the octagon which is 12" long

the round starts at .765 tapering to .670 and then flares to .710 at the muzzle (no further details)