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Post by brokennock on Oct 19, 2019 18:41:08 GMT -7
an extant example of, "They had, and took with them, a country square-barrelled smooth bore gun rifle-stocked," (quoted from Spence's reply to the tying shoes thread)
It would seem to me leaving a barrel blank square and boring a simple smooth hole through it would be very cheap compared to the time, and thus cost, of forging and or filling the barrel round or octagonal. But, while overall heard of it before, I've not seen an example of one.
Thanks,
Dave
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on Oct 19, 2019 19:13:01 GMT -7
This is the only example I have on file of a square barrel, Indian made.  Keith. |
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Post by Black Hand on Oct 19, 2019 19:42:37 GMT -7
It would seem to me leaving a barrel blank square and boring a simple smooth hole through it would be very cheap compared to the time, and thus cost, of forging and or filling the barrel round or octagonal. Seeing as a barrel was forged around a cylindrical mandrel and was roughly cylindrical before any filing, this doesn't apply. Once fully forged, the bore was reamed to bring it to final size (and rifled if desired). Profiling was done to bring the exterior concentric to the bore, at least at the breech and muzzle, where a sight or sights would be attached. Boring a solid blank to create a barrel appears to be a modern practice. |
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Post by brokennock on Oct 19, 2019 19:58:25 GMT -7
This is the only example I have on file of a square barrel, Indian made. Keith. Thanks Keith, that is pretty cool. Too bad termites are most of the butt stock..... |
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Post by brokennock on Oct 19, 2019 19:59:26 GMT -7
It would seem to me leaving a barrel blank square and boring a simple smooth hole through it would be very cheap compared to the time, and thus cost, of forging and or filling the barrel round or octagonal. Seeing as a barrel was forged around a cylindrical mandrel and was roughly cylindrical before any filing, this doesn't apply. Once fully forged, the bore was reamed to bring it to final size (and rifled if desired). Profiling was done to bring the exterior concentric to the bore, at least at the breech and muzzle, where a sight or sights would be attached. Boring a solid blank to create a barrel appears to be a modern practice. I guess I am overtired. I knew all that. Not thinking clearly, must be tired pork brains. |
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Post by Black Hand on Oct 19, 2019 20:01:14 GMT -7
It's all good - sometimes we forget and have a head-slap moment. Happens to me...
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Post by spence on Oct 19, 2019 21:06:02 GMT -7
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Post by hawkeyes on Oct 20, 2019 3:58:14 GMT -7
Did you ever watch the video on the gunsmiths of colonial Williamsburg?
One of my favorites, way before my time but is a work of art in it's own right. Within the first few minutes of the video you'll see them forging the barrel round the mandrel in a swage block.
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Post by Black Hand on Oct 20, 2019 5:08:31 GMT -7
Did you ever watch the video on the gunsmiths of colonial Williamsburg? One of my favorites, way before my time but is a work of art in it's own right. Within the first few minutes of the video you'll see them forging the barrel round the mandrel in a swage block. For those who may not have seen the video: |
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Post by brokennock on Oct 20, 2019 6:52:59 GMT -7
I guess that answers the question about where I'd heard/read about it before.. That gun is square the breach with a round bore. Interesting that the gun above has a square bore, must make for interesting shot patterns. |
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