Pipe location

[StevenV]

Curious if any builder is aware the middle pipe ( long rifle that has 2 pipes + rear entry thimble) is quite often not centered between the other two. Go look at pictures of originals and measure. The middle pipe is about an inch closer to the rear entry thimble from center between the other two pipes. It is not centered between the two. Do you still place the middle pipe in the center? It is an eye thing that draws your eye when looking at the long rifle to the long "slenderness" of the gun not "blocky" by placing the pipes evenly. Did the original builder just have a bad day when placing the middle pipe or was it done intentionally? Maybe I have been in the sun to long , questioning this topic. Comments ??           StevenV in southeast PA

[J Shingler]

Having the pipes nonsymmetrical, Center closest to the rear entry pipe. Gives the eye a better allusion to a longer barrel and fore end of the gun. It was definitely done on purpose. To many original have off set spacing to be an error or accident.

Jeff

[whetrock]

Yes, what Jeff said. Steven, you have a good eye.

[Eric Kettenburg]

Definitely very common, both then and now.

May be deliberate, may be due to interference with middle barrel lug on a 3-lug barrel.  Or both.

I've seen it both ways - some with mid pipe moved closer to entry, some with pipe moved closer to muzzle.

I actually tend to prefer it with pipe moved a little closer to muzzle on many pieces, but I stand back and tend to let the eye dictate piece by piece.

[whetrock]

I don't want my comments to sound like I'm arguing. But I wanted to comment that the front pipe is often very close to the front lug, even on rifles that have the spacing we are talking about. Also, lug positions are not always evenly spaced. So, I'm not sure avoidance of a center lug was a major concern.

[Daniel Coats]

I usually place the middle lug equal distance between the front and rear lug. The pipes depending on how many and where the lugs are go where they look best to my eye and style of rifle I'm trying to make.

[B.Habermehl]

Curious if any builder is aware the middle pipe ( long rifle that has 2 pipes + rear entry thimble) is quite often not centered between the other two. Go look at pictures of originals and measure. The middle pipe is about an inch closer to the rear entry thimble from center between the other two pipes. It is not centered between the two. Do you still place the middle pipe in the center? It is an eye thing that draws your eye when looking at the long rifle to the long "slenderness" of the gun not "blocky" by placing the pipes evenly. Did the original builder just have a bad day when placing the middle pipe or was it done intentionally? Maybe I have been in the sun to long , questioning this topic. Comments ??           StevenV in southeast PA

One question is how many were barrels shortened from the breech due to corrosion?  And the nose cap and front pipe moved back? BJH

[Eric Kettenburg]

I usually place the middle lug equal distance between the front and rear lug. The pipes depending on how many and where the lugs are go where they look best to my eye and style of rifle I'm trying to make.

Pretty much the way I do it as well.

[Eric Kettenburg]

One question is how many were barrels shortened from the breech due to corrosion?  And the nose cap and front pipe moved back? BJH

Many.  As well as many with the muzzle chopped, which is overlooked a lot more than those cut from the breech (which generally required more work but also more evident now).  But typically, two different reasonings behind the barrel guillotine!

[whetrock]

If/when a barrel was shortened, sometimes the front pipe was moved back to accommodate the change, but not always. If the rifle was built with pipes evenly spaced, then rearward movement of the front pipe will of course _shorten_ the space between the mid and front pipes.

With the question the OP asked, that wasn't the issue. The original question was about the space between the middle and front pipes being _longer_ than the space between the entry pipe and middle pipe.

I have an original Early Deep River NC rifle that has 13 1/2" between entry and middle pipe, and 15" between middle and front pipe, measured from the center of the pipes.  46" barrel. I assume it has been trimmed at the muzzle, but the pipes were not moved. Muzzle cap was just moved back a little. Pin now goes through the muzzle cap.

Also have an original East Tennessee SMR that has 12" between entry and middle pipe, and 15" between middle and front pipe, measured from center of the pipes. 43 1/4" barrel. Trimmed at the breach, but pipes were not moved. Cap was just moved back a little. Two sets of pin holes, from the barrel having been moved.