How Did they Do That?

[Southernstyle]

Can anyone tell me how the old rifle builders put a strip of brass or silver on the top of the barrel flat to put their name on? They don't look like they are keyed in like a sight. Did they hollow out a area on the barrel flat some how and then melt metal into it? If so how did they hollow out an area to do that? Today it would take a vertical milling machine. Thanks

[conquerordie]

I think one of the tutorials covers this very well. Its under the metalwork section.
Greg

[Mark Elliott]

Inlays in metal are done much as inlays in wood.   You chisel out the opening with die sinker chisels and then use a chisel or graver to undercut the edges.   Then you lay in the inlay and peen it into the undercut, and file it all off smooth.  

Here is a tutorial about a related topic, inlaid barrel bands.  http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=9090.0

[Bill-52]

Eric von Aschwege has a tutorial on this topic on his website: http://www.neahkahnieflintlocks.com/silver-barrel-escutcheon.html

[GANGGREEN]

I think that the new Grenville County video also shows the process.

[Old Ford2]

Both of the above links have great resource information.
Thank you guys for posting.
Best regards!
Fred

[bama]

Here is a youtube video on inlaying a silver name plate into a barrel.

[Dennis Glazener]

Here is a youtube video on inlaying a silver name plate into a barrel.

Jim,
Enjoyed the video, now if I could just engrave! Yeah I know I could if I would just practice, practice, practice but I have gotten to old to have the desire to work at something that hard!
Dennis