I found an old percussion rifle at an antique shop that has no markings on it. The I.D at the end of the barrel measures 0.450" but the I.D. at the bottom of the barrel measures about 0.370". Could this be a shotgun rather than a rifle? I don't plan to try and shoot it. I will probably hang it on the wall, but i was curious about it's design.
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Antique Rifle Question
- Thread starter Fred
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Pictures please.
What are you calling the bottom of the barrel?
Pictures sure would help. If "the bottom of the barrel" means the breech end of the bore, and the rifle has a patent breech, that smaller diameter may be a "powder well" in the breech face. Thompson/Center's sidelock percussion rifles have this feature. T/C used to market a breech scraper that was specially shaped to get down in the powder well of their guns to clean out fouling.
It may also be possible that you have a ring or buildup of filth and corruption down there. Maybe you can find a gunsmith who has a bore scope, who will take a look for you.
Notchy Bob
It may also be possible that you have a ring or buildup of filth and corruption down there. Maybe you can find a gunsmith who has a bore scope, who will take a look for you.
Notchy Bob
We have to assume you have bought it and removed and unbleached the barrel to be able to measure the Inside Diameter at both ends. If it has rifling it is a rifle, if it doesn't it is a smoothbore or a "smooth rifle". .450 doesn't correspond to any standard shotgun bores even allowing for a choke bore.
The breech end.
rich pierce
70 Cal.
Very late percussion gun likely made in Belgium.
Did you pull the breechplug to get your breech measurement?
No, there is no plug; all welded up. I dropped different caliber conventional rounds down the barrel until one went all of the wat down and then measured the O.D. of that round., so I am just guessing at the I.D. at the bottom of the barrel.
