Barrels Silver Soldered or Brazed

[Artificer]

One of the worst things too attack soft soldering of ribs be it a antique with Damascus barrels or a modern over and under is the constant use of WD40
Feltwad

OMG, don't get me started on the horror stories I've seen from using WD 40 on ML and modern guns over the years.

Gus

 

[FlinterNick]

Ive never done an under rib. If I had to I would try and bolt it down with shallow screws, at least 3-4 for a 34 inch barrel. My 1803 rifle has the under rib bolted on with 8/40 counter bored screws.

One way Id consider doing it is to sweat solder it on with clamps.

For my underlugs on round barrels I braze them on with brass welding rods, same with front sightS (turtle sights and barrel band brass blade sights).

I tend to avoid silver solder if possible, the bernzomatic bronze welding rods are great and work much better. Working temp is around 1400 degrees I use a jewlers torch.

 

[Pukka Bundook]

Nick,
Brazing will work, but not at all necessary.
Soft soldering is Quite adequate and has been used by The Gun Trade for hundreds of years.

 

[FlinterNick]

Nick,
Brazing will work, but not at all necessary.
Soft soldering is Quite adequate and has been used by The Gun Trade for hundreds of years.

I agree a good sliver soldering will work, especially if you’re lacking high temperature torches, a simple propane torch will work fine for that.

For me, I prefer to braze with the brass or bronze or nickel rods.

The nickle or bronze is also great for repairs its toughness replaces areas where metal is cracked or worn very well.

Here in this picture I weld repaired a charleville barrel band, the casting didnt come out really well, one side was much thinner and shorter than the other.

Front sight is also welded on with a bronze rod.