attaching pan to barrel on matchlock

[kruzer1]

I'm finally getting back to a matchlock project. I need to attach the pan/pan-cover to the barrel since it is separate piece from the action.

My question is which is the best way to do this? I don't want to do anything to ruin the temper of the barrel but will need it secure.

Thanks!

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I highly doubt there is much, if any, temper to worry about in an ML barrel. They are dead soft, usually.

 

[kruzer1]

What would be the best way to attach? (besides- dovetailing- I don't have the tools for that) Brazing, tig welding, silver sodder, etc?

I have not decided which barrel to use but one of my choices is an old shotgun barrel I ordered from Numrich arms that I installed a breech plug in (so it might have some temper).

 

[JohnN]

Tools for dovetailing include a hack saw and a 3 sided file that one side is made safe by grinding it down.

 

[Dane]

Not sure I understand, doesn't the pan attach to the lock plate?

 

[44-henry]

It was my understanding that the pans were dovetailed to the barrel and that is what I would do.

 

[JohnN]

Asked a friend of mine who shoots matchlocks and he said his and all the ones he has seen are welded on.

 

[DickS]

Dovetailing was the usual method on originals. Longitudinal dovetail.
I would be inclined to use low temp. silver bearing solder. Solder with the pan set into a non-dovetailed groove would be effective and not particularly difficult.

 

[gunmaker43]

No different than soldering on a rib. Use low temp 375-425 deg. solder, I've had good luck with Alpha solder paste from Ace hardware. Be sure both parts are 100% clean & bright. Coat both parts, clamp together and heat with propane/mapp torch, watch for paste to turn silver & stop before flux turns black.
Let cool, don't quench with water. AND oil bore the heat will cause instant rust.....Tom

 

[Gustavo Hoefs]

I did that once, welded on a barrel and it warped.

 

[Gustavo Hoefs]

I have found that when I want to low temp solder steel the best results were with 50/50 lead tin solder and ruby fluid ( zinc chloride ?) from the stain glass supply. A brush, wire brush tin the surfaces prior to attempting the joint . As an example that this was common practice in the past, both Indian Motocycle & Harley Davidson lead soldered their gas tanks together. Just make sure you ventilate your work space and everything will be fine.