Old breeching technique ???

[Pete G.]

I read in "A Forgotten Heritage" about a technique I had never heard of before. The author stated that the breech of the barrel was heated and a plug that already been threaded by hand file was inserted in the end. The smith then hammered the barrel around the plug until he got the fit he needed. I had never heard of this before so I went to the Dillon book to look it up. The only thing that I could find there said that the breech pin was installed with hand tools, which neither confirms nor contradicts. I can see where a tap could be a rare commodity in an isolated gunshop, and can't ever remember seeing anything other than a screw plate listed in any inventories. So what do you think guys ? Maybe ? Maybe not ?

[Ephraim]

I say not if you have a screw plate and can make screws you can make taps.
Ephraim

[Larry Luck]

I suspect that the threads on the breechplug would be deformed in the process and would not be easy to remove (without using a hacksaw, smokeless powder, etc.).
Larry Luck

[Dphariss]

I read in "A Forgotten Heritage" about a technique I had never heard of before. The author stated that the breech of the barrel was heated and a plug that already been threaded by hand file was inserted in the end. The smith then hammered the barrel around the plug until he got the fit he needed. I had never heard of this before so I went to the Dillon book to look it up. The only thing that I could find there said that the breech pin was installed with hand tools, which neither confirms nor contradicts. I can see where a tap could be a rare commodity in an isolated gunshop, and can't ever remember seeing anything other than a screw plate listed in any inventories. So what do you think guys ? Maybe ? Maybe not ?

BS.
Hammering it would LOOSEN the fit unless more complex mechanics were used than what one would find in a gunsmith shop.

Dan

[jerrywh]

I did a lot of blacksmithing and I am sure that is totally wrong. Sounds like another self appointed expert.

[B Shipman]

This sounds like a total load of bull. Actually it is a total laod of bull.  Trying to make something mysterious out of of a job that really requires cut and try to achieve quality.

[northmn]

It does not sound like something that would work to me, backed up with opinions from individuals whose experience I can respect.

DP

[rich pierce]

I say not if you have a screw plate and can make screws you can make taps.
Ephraim

Exactly.

[AndyThomas]

Actually, if you have some carbon steel, you could "hand file" the tap, and then make a screw plate with it to thread the matching breech pin.

Andy

[t.caster]

I agree with all of you on how preposterous it would be. That said, you know some Darwin Award winner along the way must have tried it.
May he R.I.P.!

[jerrywh]

Actually. you wouldn't believe how long they have been making screws on lathes.  John Twigg in his shop in England had 12 lathes. Lathes go back to ancient Egypt