It isn't unusual for a ramrod pipe to be missing. This barrel is from a shotgun that was originally flint, converted to percussion. Note that the remaining pipe is barrel shaped. Turned a replacement from a piece of 1/2" mild steel rod on the lathe, duplicating the contour of the surviving original. Next steps will be file a flat, fit the pipe to the rib, tin the pipe, clean the seat on the rib, and sweat the pipe in place. The pipe will be wired in position, and heat will be applied to the pipe. Just enough to sweat the pipe to the rib, and not break the soldered joint of the rib to the barrel. I'll be using solder than melts at 430F, should be lower than the lead solder used to install the rib 200 years ago. This is a delicate job.
