Off-shoot from "A Question - Beck Related" topic

[Dennis Glazener]

Interesting that the underlugs don't seem to be slotted to allow for expansion or contraction of the forearm.

I didn't want to take the Beck thread off on a tangent but Elnathan's comment reminded me of this. In regards to slotted underlugs/tennons I have yet to see any on any of the originals that I have handled. Mostly plain southern guns but a few higher grade ones. The only slots I have seen were where keys/draw loops were used.

How often are slotted underlugs/tennons (e/w cross pins) seen on originals that you have handled?
Dennis

[RAT]

I haven't had the opportunity to handle many originals... but in every photo I've ever seen of an original barrel out of the stock (where the barrel was pinned) there is a simple drilled hole in the lug. I've never seen a photo of an original lug that was slotted for pins.

[JTR]

I agree. All I've ever seen are round holes drilled for pins.
I'm sure there will be exceptions.

I think the elongated hole for pins is a modern day thing.

John

[Flint62Smoothie]

I haven't had the opportunity to handle many originals... but in every photo I've ever seen of an original barrel out of the stock (where the barrel was pinned) there is a simple drilled hole in the lug. I've never seen a photo of an original lug that was slotted for pins.

Maybe they shot 'more shots' in a lifetime, i.e., a shot or a few every day, than we typically do ... but 'less per session' ... ?

In that way, they may have never noticed issues from constricted expansion.