Pair of wogden dueling pistol build.

[Rolf]

A pair of English dueling pistols have been on my wish list since I started gun building in 2009. I found a really Nice English Walnut blank on ebay, may 2009. Bougth it for $50. It was sopping wet when I got it and has been drying under my bed since then. The weigth has gone down from 3,850 kg to 3,100 kg and is nice and dry,no cracks. I bougth two Wogden flintlock kits from Blackley(the same used by Smart Dog on his duellers). These kits include all the guts for the Locks. The parts are very skinny dimensioned, and I gave up after trying to drill the screw holes in the bridle posts. I put the project on hold until I was able buy a lathe and a vertical mill. The mill and lathe was installed last fall in my cellar workshop. I plan to use the cast bridel and sear as patterns for machining new parts. I have no training in using these machines, and have therefore been building six Marmann underhammer Locks from square Stock and sheet metal to gain expirence. The last ones look good, and I think I can do the wogdens now.


I have bougth a pair swamped 10", Caliber0.50, rifled Rayl barrels from Stonewall Creek. The barrels are great, but I was never quite happy with them for this project. English duellers are alot less swamped and usally smooth bore. So I ended up buying damascus barrel blanks from Dyson. These blanks are 12" long and cut off from the breech end of a couple of rifle barrel blanks. No machining has been done, and the bores are as forged. Dyson says he drills out pistol barrels using a regulare twist drill, going slowly and clearing out the chips as often as posible. The blanks should end up Caliber 0,54 -0,58 and safe to use without lining. In the worst case, I have an rusty old 22 Caliber rifle barrel , I can use for lining.
 Which brings me to my first question:

• Where can I find a piloted drill suitable for drilling out a 22 Caliber rifle barrel to make a 50 Caliber smooth bore liner?

Best regards
Rolf

[P.W.Berkuta]

Good luck with your latest project Rolf - you sure are an ambitious fellow  . You could try <http://www.brownells.com/> for the drill bit.
I would recommend some books on how to operate your lathe & mill (see pictures). When I started my mechanical engineering career path I had "shop classes" that required you to make stuff using various equipment - shown are some of the books that were recommended. I also enclosed some pictures of some locks that I am building - some of the parts are hand made out of O-1, spring steel and some parts are from store bought stock.

[smart dog]

Hi Rolf,
Looks like a great project!!  Are you going to mill the barrels octagon?  When I built my pistols, I scaled out photos of a pair of Wogdon pistols shown in J. A. Atkinson's book on dueling pistols (page 51).  Rayl's swamped barrels were a pretty good match with respect to the swamped profile, but as you mentioned, they are rifled.  Certainly, late in the 18th century and early 19th century, most barrels became straighter and heavier.  I handled several early 19th century duelers and I never liked the handling of the heavier barrels although I know many target shooters do.   With those swamped barrels, my Wogdons handled so nicely. I completely sympathize with you about the internal parts on those locks.  I eventually had to make my own bridles and made them over sized until drilled. Then I filed off the excess.  They were a challenge to make but man they are good locks!  Good luck Rolf.

dave

[Rolf]

Good luck with your latest project Rolf - you sure are an ambitious fellow  . You could try <http://www.brownells.com/> for the drill bit.
I would recommend some books on how to operate your lathe & mill (see pictures). When I started my mechanical engineering career path I had "shop classes" that required you to make stuff using various equipment - shown are some of the books that were recommended. I also enclosed some pictures of some locks that I am building - some of the parts are hand made out of O-1, spring steel and some parts are from store bought stock.

Thanks for Your advice on the books. I'll try and find them on Amazon. Your Locks look great! I have alot to learn.

Best regards
Rolf

[Rolf]

Hi Rolf,
Looks like a great project!!  Are you going to mill the barrels octagon?  When I built my pistols, I scaled out photos of a pair of Wogdon pistols shown in J. A. Atkinson's book on dueling pistols (page 51).  Rayl's swamped barrels were a pretty good match with respect to the swamped profile, but as you mentioned, they are rifled.  Certainly, late in the 18th century and early 19th century, most barrels became straighter and heavier.  I handled several early 19th century duelers and I never liked the handling of the heavier barrels although I know many target shooters do.   With those swamped barrels, my Wogdons handled so nicely. I completely sympathize with you about the internal parts on those locks.  I eventually had to make my own bridles and made them over sized until drilled. Then I filed off the excess.  They were a challenge to make but man they are good locks!  Good luck Rolf.

dave

If I can drill out the barrels without ruining them, I plan to mill them octagon with a sligth swamp. I've drawn a simple jig to use in the milling vice that should make possible to make two identical barrels. Will post Pictures when I get around to it. Don't think it will be this year.

Best regards
Rolf

[Steve Bookout]

Hei Rolf, I can provide photos of a bit such as you are asking for.  Runar can make it for you.  Let me know.
Mvh  Bookie