Modification of a barrel

[linkoakshield]

I have a traditions deerhunter .50 Cap & Ball barrel that i am thinking of using as a project barrel. problem is I would like to make it a flintlock; traditions did not make this doable by normal means... what i would like to do is put it on the lathe and cut the unusable (the part broke off) breech/touch hole section off and re thread it and install a new breech plug and touch hole for flintlock. 

My question is: Is this possible? I am not worried about the time it will take, just want to know if its doable. Thanks

[Acer Saccharum]

It seems like it would be fine. Face the end, drill and tap for the plug.

Is the rifle twist made for patched roundball or slug?

[EC121]

If you have a lathe, just get a breechplug made for the barrel width and make it fit.  You need to bore a good square bottom at the rifling to make it seal.  Needs to simultaneously bottom on the flats and the rifling.  Some of the machinists on here can tell you in more detail.  

[linkoakshield]

Its rifled for patch and ball.
I have use of a lathe. Thank you

[Robby]

I have a .50 Traditions barrel that I am doing the very same thing with. I already lopped off and squared the breach end for re-threading and re-breaching, peened in and filed the roll engraving . If you have access to a lathe it makes everything so much easier. It is very doable, and though the guns may not be much, all the barrels I have had first hand experience with have been top notch. Best of luck to you!!!
Robby

[Dphariss]

I have a traditions deerhunter .50 Cap & Ball barrel that i am thinking of using as a project barrel. problem is I would like to make it a flintlock; traditions did not make this doable by normal means... what i would like to do is put it on the lathe and cut the unusable (the part broke off) breech/touch hole section off and re thread it and install a new breech plug and touch hole for flintlock. 

My question is: Is this possible? I am not worried about the time it will take, just want to know if its doable. Thanks

When I shorten a barrel, if possible I shorten it from the breech. If you can cut it off, bore it to the right size and tap it their should be no problem. The key is not making the wall too thin when boring it.
Dan

[FALout]

I've done it once, can't remember the maker of the barrel, I just recall the caliber was a 38.  I cut off the breach end rebreached it, but with cutting it the rear sight was going to be too far back, so indexed it so the bottom was up on top cause the dovetails from old barrel mounts worked out better as sight dovetails.  I used it to make a child's rifle, ended up giving it away to a friends kid.  I can remember seeing a bunch of those Italian barrels all messed up a long time ago, I'm guessing that the owners had a stuck ball they couldn't get out so tried the pull the breach plug without first removing the drum( not to many flintlocks back then), seemed like all these barrels were damaged the same way.  The gunsmith I knew replaced a lot of barrels.

[B.Habermehl]

Before you cut off and face the breech end of your barrel choose a common type of breech plug available from one of the catalog houses. If your caliber 50 and below use one with the threaded journal of 5/8-18. Tap drill for your breech threads 1/2 inch deep. You will need a plug tap and a bottoming tap. While the barrel is still in the lathe tap your breech threads. Use the bottoming tap to get as close to the shoulder the tap drill created as possible. Trim the breech plug journal down to 9/16 plus a bit. Match up the breech plug end chamfer to the same angle as the drill bit used to pilot drill the breech. You are creating a plug and seat just like a globe valve. Now fit and file the breech plug face till both shoulders of the breech come up tight at the same time. BJH