A real newbie question

[ozflint]

What does 'swamped' mean in relation to barrels?

 

[TFoley]

A swamped barrel is one that is thinner in the centre that it is at the breech and muzzle ends - in a graceful curve, rather than an abrupt taper.

It was done not only only for aesthetic reasons, but to actually lighten a long barrel in the classic long-rifle era.

tac

 

[bingo1952]

It was also done because when draw filing a barrel the natural tendency is to swamp it anyway. Maintaining parallel flats is difficult at best on a hammer welded barrel with all the roughness from the forging process.

 

[ozflint]

Thanks guys. I was aware of the 'waisted' barrels, I just didn't know that's what it's called.