How did they attach a bolster to a round barrel ?

[sheriff john]

Found an old smoothbore barrel I've had for around 50 years. 42" long, about 12 gauge, marked "London" on top, X111 and obscure proofmarks on the bottom. Bolster is typical of many percussion guns, not a drum but on the side of the barrel itself. Never had an under rib, at some time had thimbles soldered on. Barrel has a single "pinned" tennon and front sight was a brass bead (sorta).

Very rusty - inside & out - nipple smashed down, etc. Question is - what process was used to attach such bolsters? Brazed, soldered, created by blacksmiths & filed into shape? Long time back, I ground one off & converted it to flint, but never really trusted it. This one, at this point, may be salvageable, so ..how'd they do that?

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

brazed usually

 

[sheriff john]

How hot would I have to heat it to remove the bolster, assuming it's brazed ?

 

[Phil Coffins]

Focus the flame on the bolster and tap on it as it heats. It will fall off when hot enough.

 

[44Bro]

Post a picture. Quite a few were either forged as part of the barrel or forge welded after.

 

[hawkeye2]

Or are a part of the breech plug.