Author Topic: Trying to ID a barrel  (Read 4051 times)

Offline moleeyes36

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Trying to ID a barrel
« on: March 31, 2015, 12:50:47 AM »
I just bought a mostly complete components set for a Southern Mountain Rifle that I’m told is nearly 30 years old.  I’m trying to identify the make of the barrel.  The seller wasn’t the original purchaser and didn’t know the make of barrel though the original owner thought it might be a Douglas.  I see nothing on the barrel to identify it as a Douglas or any other maker except the stamped number 101066 which is on one of the flats about 6 inches from the breech.  There are no other markings on the barrel.  It’s a 42”, 13/16 across the flats, .40 caliber with 7 lands and groves and flat bottomed rifling.  Can anybody identify the barrel maker from just the stamped number?  Thanks.

Mole Eyes



Don Richards
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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2015, 04:19:53 AM »
Are there any stampings at the muzzle or breech end?  That could be date of manufacture?
Bob

Offline moleeyes36

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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2015, 02:22:53 PM »
There are no other markings on the barrel. 

Mole Eyes
Don Richards
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Offline Levy

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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2015, 07:05:55 PM »
I'm not an expert on barrels by any means, but the barrel looks like it was made octagonal with a longitudinal scraper or planer due to the lines on the surface of the barrel that run lengthwise.  I stopped by H&H Barrel works in Ocala once and they were using a scraper/planer which left that type of mark.  I think Green Mtn. used a belt sander for their surface finish.  The NOS Douglas barrel that I have was bored from Octagonal stock and they didn't do anything to the outside of the barrel.  They usually had some run out which had to be placed either up or down.  Some Douglas barrels were referred to as XX quality with little or no run out and sold for slightly more I believe.  That still doesn't answer you're question.

James Levy
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Offline Roger B

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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2015, 07:54:50 PM »
Large used a hydraulic planer, and the exteriors of his barrels looked like that.  I've never seen one date marked, but with Bill Large I don't know that it means much.  Douglas barrels had smooth exteriors since they were cold drawn octagon before being rifled.  If it is a Large, it will have particularly deep rifling.  If thats a date mark, then Sharon, H&H, True bore, & GRRW are not candidates.  Wonder if its a Paris?  If Don Getz were still around he might be able to tell us.  I also know that Kurn made barrels and locks, but I've never seen a Kurn barrel.  I guess the only important thing is that it shoots straight.
Roger B. 
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Offline moleeyes36

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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2015, 12:24:56 AM »
Yes I agree that the chance of it being a Douglas barrel is very unlikely.  The only Douglas barrel I have in a rifle has markings on the flats near the breech and has the caliber and twist stamped on the muzzle.  Unfortunately the breech plug is installed so I'll take that out, inspect the bore and probably lap it.  The tang isn't right, so I'll replace the plug with one that has the tang I want anyway.  Thanks to y'all for the input.

Mole Eyes   
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #6 on: April 01, 2015, 12:58:00 AM »
Paris barrels are stamped as such.
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Offline moleeyes36

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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #7 on: April 01, 2015, 01:02:30 AM »
Paris barrels are stamped as such.

Mike,

Thanks, my impression is that it's a well made barrel.  I'll know more when I take the plug out and get a good look at the bore, but what I can see from the muzzle end the rifling looks clean and deep. 

Mole Eyes
Don Richards
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #8 on: April 01, 2015, 02:18:57 AM »
Paris barrels are stamped as such.

Mike,

Thanks, my impression is that it's a well made barrel.  I'll know more when I take the plug out and get a good look at the bore, but what I can see from the muzzle end the rifling looks clean and deep. 

Mole Eyes
Thinking back to 30 years ago.... could be a Montana, Orion, green river, green mountain....lots of possibilities. I don't remember who stamped their name on barrels back then and who didn't. They were all good barrels that shot better than you could hold.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline moleeyes36

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Re: Trying to ID a barrel
« Reply #9 on: April 01, 2015, 03:26:47 AM »
Paris barrels are stamped as such.

Mike,

Thanks, my impression is that it's a well made barrel.  I'll know more when I take the plug out and get a good look at the bore, but what I can see from the muzzle end the rifling looks clean and deep. 

Mole Eyes
Thinking back to 30 years ago.... could be a Montana, Orion, green river, green mountain....lots of possibilities. I don't remember who stamped their name on barrels back then and who didn't. They were all good barrels that shot better than you could hold.

Of course being just a few months short of 70 years old and with my eyesight (after all my camp name is Mole Eyes) a piece of galvanized pipe from Home Depot could probably shoot better than I can hold.   :(

Mole Eyes
Don Richards
NMLRA Field Rep, Instructor, Field Range Officer
NRA Chief Range Safety Officer