steel

I will make a replica matchlock and am wondering what type of iron or steel to use for the trigger and match-holder, pan and pan cover. I would like them to be easy to machine and have a reasonably authentic appearance. If it's corrosion resistant so I don't have to maintain it against rust...

Does the ”honeycomb” construction of a revolver cylinder make it stronger than a single barrel? The reason why I’m ask is because I’m trying to figure out the minimum safe wall thickness for a single shot black powder pistol. The pistol I’m making will be loaded with a .53 roundball (weight 231...

I’ve seen old black powder revolvers with very thin cylinder wall thickness, like these cylinders for example: and this pepperbox has also resonable thin walls: Back in the days the quality of the steel was inferior, so it got me to wounder about the steels of today. What’s the minimum...