Questions about a Getz barrel.....

[DBoone]

I have a 44" Getz swamped barrel in .50 cal.  It has all the normal stampings on the bottom flat at the breech end, such as twist, caliber, Getz, Beavertown, Pa., barrel #18058 .........but there is also an (electric)
engraved "Bicent"....

I got this barrel from a man who got it from someone else, ect.  It's been well taken care of and basically looks brand new.  I guess it could actually be 40 years old!

Outside measurements are 1.070 at the breech tapering to .812 waist and flaring to .920.  Should be an excellent shooter.

I would think it would have been made in 1976 but haven't been able to get in touch with John Getz to get some input.  

I know that the 200 Pennsylvania rifles project that Bivens and Haugh were involved in during that bicentennial period were supposed to have been made with Paris barrels, and not Getz.  Anyone have any input on this barrel?

[flinchrocket]

In an old post by Don Getz,he says that he continued to fill the contract for the bicentennial barrels
after purchasing the Paris Barrel Co. equipment.

[Mike Brooks]

#18058 is a fairly late barrel, probably 12-15 years old or so.

[J. Talbert]

Is it perhaps just the same specs as the bicentennial barrels?

Jeff

[Mike Brooks]

Is it perhaps just the same specs as the bicentennial barrels?

Jeff

That would be my guess.

[flinchrocket]

The Getz Dickert barrel is the same profile as the bicentennial barrel.

[DBoone]

Thanks for your help on this everyone.  I forgot about the Paris/Getz change at that time.  Been awhile.

[DBoone]

I'll say this about the barrel...............it's got a little heft to it; almost 6 lbs., so it will probably be a good shooter.  It reminds me of a Colerain 42" swamp but is 44".  Should have that good old "original rifle" feel to it.

[stuart cee dub]

These old treasures pop up here and there.It makes me wonder how many unfinished very old projects are languishing in the shops maybe part of the estate of someone whose relatives really could care less about their dad's oddball hobbies.Members mention old Douglas barrels they have like new .I've found like Goodoien barrels on eBay.Great barrels if you don't mind them straight sided only.

My favorite flintlock is built on a new /old Paris barrel much like you describe Boone, just slightly swamped in this case 50 caliber .It sat in somebody shop so long the butt of the blank started to rot in contact with what must have been a concrete floor but the barrel was like new inside.I expect the original purchaser has  since gone to his reward.
 
It came to me inletted into a modestly curly hard full length blank . It runs 40'' long radius grooved, grooves wider than the lands and a slow twist .It's not quite like any later Getz barrel rifling I've seen. It reminds me of whitworth rifling kind of angular . Maybe it was bobbed down from the breech end ,no markings remain on the barrel.Jim told me it was a Paris barrel .

It does not care what it shoots .495's or .490's and any patch from .018 to .020. It does like powder . Chops a ragged hole off the bench . It's easily over 5 1/2 pounds. Least fussy barrel I've ever had.Rarely ever needs a cleaning patch ,cleans up super quick too.

Weight is really a good feature as long as there is some balance to it as well.That ''old time balance'' you mention works great, soaks up the recoil and hangs on the target.I really think there is too much emphasis
on more modern overly swamped barrels.

Sadly the Morlocks stole the alternator off my time machine otherwise I 'd go back a few years, skip Woodstock, find Mr Paris and get two more just like it.

[DBoone]

Thanks for sharing, Stuart!  Good stuff.  Exactly what memories are made from!

[Daryl]

Yes - good info, Stuart.