Barrel style question

[SuperCracker]

I'm trying to satisfy some curiosity here. About when, particularly in the south, did swamped barrels stop being used and parallel barrels start?

Assuming of course that was even the progression.

[wetzel]

That is a very interesting question, I would like to know the answer as well.

[Longknife]

SuperC, That would be pretty tough to put date on it as the "swamp" that was used in the 18th century gradually kept getting straighter (less swamp)especially after 1800 when a lot of barrel factories began producing straight barrels in the late flint/ early percussion period. But I would say, as a general rule, if the barrel was hand forged it would have some swamp but if it was purchased from a barrel factory it more than  likely would be straight. I have a southern (VA) flintlock rifle made sometime 1814-1834, it has a 44 3/4' barrel of 40 cal. The breech is 1.037-waist-.943- muzzle .971 and its a HEAVY one weighing in at 11 lb. 10 oz...Ed

[G-Man]

I don't believe people ever completely stopped using swamped barrels on Appalachian mountain rifles.  I have seen  late 1800s mountain rifles with swamped barrels. 

Guy

[SuperCracker]

Thanks a lot guys, This is exactly the type of info i was looking for.

What I was wondering if it was a gradual thing, possibly driven more by fashion, where the swamp became less and less pronounced until it gave way. Or if it was possibly a manufacturing thing where some new process was discovered that made straight barrels so much more economical that over a very short period of time they became the norm.

[Pete G.]

I would think that the straight barrel was a product of the industrial revolution more than anything else. Machines like straight lines and symmetry.

[SuperCracker]

I would think that the straight barrel was a product of the industrial revolution more than anything else. Machines like straight lines and symmetry.

That's what i was thinking.

[northmn]

Straighter barrels became more populat in the later part of the 1800's concurrent with the industrial revolution.  More parts started to be purchased at that time.   The trade rifles listed in Hansens book were pretty straight barreled and his comment was that it was the result of manufacturing techniques which made them less expensive than the Golden Age "custom" guns.  Remington started out as a barrel maker in the early 1800's using water power.  Swamped barrels were said to be a result partly of grinding them down on the old large wheels.  Tapered and swamped barrels tended to be less pronounced as time went by but also consider that steel got better so that breeches could be made smaller, but also tapered and swamped barrels are niceer to "hold".

DP