Lettering barrels

[Casull]

Anyone have any tips on how to stamp and otherwise letter barrels and other parts? I use a set of small letter punches but it's not a simply job to write straight and consistent wording and such.
Thanks,
Rob

 

[dan belisle]

Brownells sells a tool to align all the stamps. - dan

 

[Mudpuppy]

Make your own lettering guide www.gswagner.com/letterguide/letterguide.html

 

[Ishootguns]

I use masking tape with a pencil line to keep things straight.
Dave

 

[guntech]

Anyone have any tips on how to stamp and otherwise letter barrels and other parts? I use a set of small letter punches but it's not a simply job to write straight and consistent wording and such.
Thanks,
Rob

I tape a piece of steel measuring tape on the barrel. Grip the barrel very firmly in soft jaws in a vice. I have the designation written out on a piece of paper. I am right handed and right eyed so I stamp the last letter first and work backwards sighting down the right side of the punch at the previously stamped letter, resting the edge of the letter on the edge of the steel tape. With a little practice you can do a very nice job. You can polish the raised stamping using 220 grit wet or dry as you would buff shoes with a cloth and restamp to get them even or leave then slightly raised.

Here is a picture of the completed stamping on a stainless barrel. I have an MM stamp made up smaller then the numbers and I have a DRS stamp made in one piece. I mark all my barreling jobs with DRS.

 

[gunrunner100]

Dennis:
How did you get the twist pattern on the barrel in the photo? Nice touch.

 

[guntech]

Dennis:
How did you get the twist pattern on the barrel in the photo? Nice touch.

I blast a pattern through a plastic sleeve and then wire brush with a soft wire stainless wheel.

 

[spi]

I tape a piece of steel measuring tape on the barrel. Grip the barrel very firmly in soft jaws in a vice. I have the designation written out on a piece of paper. I am right handed and right eyed so I stamp the last letter first and work backwards sighting down the right side of the punch at the previously stamped letter, resting the edge of the letter on the edge of the steel tape. With a little practice you can do a very nice job. You can polish the raised stamping using 220 grit wet or dry as you would buff shoes with a cloth and restamp to get them even or leave then slightly raised.

Here is a picture of the completed stamping on a stainless barrel. I have an MM stamp made up smaller then the numbers and I have a DRS stamp made in one piece. I mark all my barreling jobs with DRS.

That takes skill as well as technique. Nice work Dennis.

 

[Claven2]

I take it to Larry O'Gorman and get him to hand engrave it in the font of my choice

Some examples of his work:

 

[guntech]

Now that is a skill that not many have..... I used to have a friend that could do nice engraving too. He passed away quite some time ago.

 

[Claven2]

I wish I had the skill and patience to do it myself, but as you say - it's an uncommon art I consider myself lucky to even KNOW someone who can do the work (for a modest fee, of course).