Stretched barrel

[Dave Tercek]

I'm new to this game. I've read a few descriptions that state the barrel was stretched, or stretched and refinished. It must be simple but I can't figure out what it means.
Thanks, Dave

[Longknife]

Dave, This is usually done on original guns. It means that the barrel has been shortened at one time and restored or "stretched" to original estimated length. It is not really stretched but a new piece is added....ED

[Dave Tercek]

actually welded on ?

[E.vonAschwege]

Yep, a bevel is cut on both adjoining faces, and a careful TIG weld is applied, then dressed and refinished.  This is only done on antique arms that have been previously shortened, never to be fired again.  The length added is estimated by the distance between remaining ramrod thimbles and to some degree, pin spacing on the barrel. 
-Eric

[45-110]

Some barrels based on their wall thickness  allow for a liner to be installed after welding the extension on. Then boring out to the liner size. They then will be fine for shooting. Its done all the time in the black powder cartridge rifle game.

[Bill Raby]

Seems like it would make more sense to stretch with a hammer and mandrel. No seams or weld that way, but you would have re-cut the rifling.

[rich pierce]

Seems like it would make more sense to stretch with a hammer and mandrel. No seams or weld that way, but you would have re-cut the rifling.

It would “skinnify” the barrel considerably and it would no longer ft the barrel channel. Don’t know a smith who could stretch one a foot and keep the bore.

[Dave Tercek]

Very interesting
Thanks to all, Dave

[Justin Urbantas]

In Kit Ravenshear's Tubes  and tools book he talks about how Getz made him a 65" barrel by turning a sleeve joint on the barrels and soldering or welding them.

[grabenkater]

Very common practice with shooters in the NSSA. I’ve seen dozens of long arms that have been stretched and restored to firing condition by using this method.

[WKevinD]

In Kit Ravenshear's Tubes  and tools book he talks about how Getz made him a 65" barrel by turning a sleeve joint on the barrels and soldering or welding them.

When Don Getz did this it was a for new barrel that was to fill a specific need that Kit had. He made a few of these special barrels that joined at the wedding band on octagon to round barrels.

Kevin 

[Pukka Bundook]

The old barrel forgers would lengthen a barrel if the customer wished, but that was with smooth-bores mainly.
I recall Col. Peter Hawker having a duck gun lengthened by William Fullard, and how after adding a foot (forge welded) to the barrel, it only weighed a few ounces more than prior.

Very canny work, lengthening a thin shotgun barrel like that!