Repairing a Burst Black Powder Barrel ?
- Thread starter Loyer
- Start date
Well after you have it “repaired” you should have it submitted for reproof. If it passes it is certified safe to shoot. If it is deemed unsafe it will fail, will not be proof stamped again like it was when new and is not safe to shoot. This is why guns are proof tested. If you have this gun “repaired” without reproof and someone some day is injured shooting it both you and the person doing the repair could be legally responsible.
Looks like an interesting 18th century gun.
I think that would be a really bad idea to weld and shoot. The barrel failed once, no reason to assume that it would not fail again, either at the repair or elsewhere. Even if it weren't split, what is the condition of the barrel? .
It might be possible to rework the barrel to bring the edges together, weld the seam for a cosmetic repair. I have "stretched" cut barrels to restore their length with o/a, and the joint was next to invisible after finishing.
If welded, dressed and straightened, it might be possible to ream out the barrel and install a liner. If this were done, it just might be OK to shoot it.
If the rest of the gun is worth the effort, making a replacement barrel would be the safest option for shooting it.
I think that would be a really bad idea to weld and shoot. The barrel failed once, no reason to assume that it would not fail again, either at the repair or elsewhere. Even if it weren't split, what is the condition of the barrel? .
It might be possible to rework the barrel to bring the edges together, weld the seam for a cosmetic repair. I have "stretched" cut barrels to restore their length with o/a, and the joint was next to invisible after finishing.
If welded, dressed and straightened, it might be possible to ream out the barrel and install a liner. If this were done, it just might be OK to shoot it.
If the rest of the gun is worth the effort, making a replacement barrel would be the safest option for shooting it.
I wouldn’t trust a repair on that barrel.
Options are wallhanger.
Reline the barrel to a smaller size.
Find a parts donar gun with a good barrel.
New gun.
Options are wallhanger.
Reline the barrel to a smaller size.
Find a parts donar gun with a good barrel.
New gun.
Licensed to kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Peace Country Alberta
It was likely short started with a round ball. That barrel was pooched before the rupture when some twit welded the thimble on. It is a pretty cool piece, too much so for a "wall hanger" IMO. I would replace the barrel with an exact, aged replica. You don't park a classic corvette because the engine is blown, you change the engine and enjoy it.
Painkillers
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Err, more like the frame on the Corvette is rotted through and the fiberglass all oxidized, and the engine is blown, rotted tires, listen...tired iron, is tired iron, no matter what it used to be.
Licensed to kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Peace Country Alberta
I know it can be hard to determine in just a photograph but I went back and looked again and see no evidence that the lock, stock and trigger are not serviceable. Care to point out the visible flaws in those aspects of the gun in question?.
#1bcshooter
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- North Of The DMZ (US border)
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
You can cut the barrel to 18 or 21 inches and sell it as a coach gun like you see being done .
I think it would be wise to consider the historical value of this thing - value that would be largely destroyed if most of the advice were followed.
OP, drop me a PM if you are interested in parting with it. It looks to be an interesting restoration (non shooter) project.
OP, drop me a PM if you are interested in parting with it. It looks to be an interesting restoration (non shooter) project.
Painkillers
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Actually, no, you can't.
infideleggwelder
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Why not?
I have an old trade gun with a decent barrel, and i`m very leery of firing it due to it`s age, so it just hangs on the wall
IF the stock is sound and the lock sparks, a replacement barrel would be an option. Matching the contour would be interesting. So would the three barrel retaining bolts. And getting a new barrel that long would be an interesting challenge. But because the forend is not full length, a replacement barrel would not need to be as long s the original.
We've all seen slicked up, repolished "coach guns" offered for sale. It would be a shame to rework this piece into such junk.
Any work/restoration should be done respectfully - otherwise just leave it as is and hang it on the wall.
We've all seen slicked up, repolished "coach guns" offered for sale. It would be a shame to rework this piece into such junk.
Any work/restoration should be done respectfully - otherwise just leave it as is and hang it on the wall.
gunsaholic
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
Just look on the EE or gun post. Happening all the time by a certain member. Actually my first reply was a tongue and cheek "option" to that.
But in reality, no I would not do that to the subject gun. If I really wanted it back to shooting condition I would do as others have said and seek another barrel.
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