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Does any one know how the rib was attached on the original 1803 Harper's Ferry rifles? Was it soldered in place, or secured in place with screws?
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1803 Harpers Ferry rib attachment
- Thread starter stewart.leach
- Start date
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I believe the rib was hollowed out and soldered. On my Harper's Ferry, the rib was left solid and 4 screws were turned up to fasten the rib to the barrel. Used red Locktite to secure the screws and files off the heads to finish the installation. Soldering that under rib to the round barrel would have been far too difficult.
Scota@4570
54 Cal.
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I have never seen any difference in soldering a solid vs a hollow rib. Tin the barrel and rib. Wash off the acid flux. Flux with rosin. Clamp and or wire together. Heat the barrel evenly with two MAPP gas torches. When the solder melts move down the barrel. The whole job takes me about an hour.
I have never screwed any rib in place. Soldering is too easy and not destructive. Drilling into a bore is catastrophic. I choose not to risk it. Also tapping a couple of threads in leaded steel is possible to go badly and leave crappy threads.
I also would argue that properly soldered ribs are immune from rusting between the barrel and rib. Soldering is more secure.
I have never screwed any rib in place. Soldering is too easy and not destructive. Drilling into a bore is catastrophic. I choose not to risk it. Also tapping a couple of threads in leaded steel is possible to go badly and leave crappy threads.
I also would argue that properly soldered ribs are immune from rusting between the barrel and rib. Soldering is more secure.
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