Barrel terminology?

[S_O_Laban]

On the cover of the January issue of Muzzle Blasts(monthly publication of the NMLRA) is a very interesting rifle. Inside on page four specifications are listed for this rifle. Listed in the specs is the following: "Barrel form: squared"

What does "squared" mean in this case? The barrel is octagon in shape, has seven grooves and based on further specs provided, appears to also be swamped. I could find nothing else in the article about the barrel itself and after consulting with PaulN/Kansas, we figured someone here would probably know. So go ahead and spill the beans.... inquiring minds would like to know

 

I'm not 100% on this, but I know a guy here locally who has an antique muzzleloader that instead of rifling has a squared bore. It required a special bullet that was shaped just like the bore. Instead of having twist rifling, the squared bore was twisted through the barrel, and imparted the spin on the bullet.

Like I said, may be something totally different, but it was definitely an interesting rifle.

 

[Doc Arroyo]

I believe that Mr. Gusler is using an early colonial term here. "Squared" in this case means octagon, just as Mr. Gusler uses "tricker" instead of trigger. All of his years living in Colonial Williamsburg has developed his writing style, and I think that his book may change the terminology that many of us use to discuss are favorite rifles. eace:

 

[C_Laubach]

Yep, Doc is right. :thumbsup:

 

yep thats the way i understand it as well

 

[S_O_Laban]

I appreciate the responses to our question. Paul and I had discused that possibility but really didn't know.

The change in our language is a whole study in and of itself.

Again, many thanks, Todd

 

[Randy]

Several Issues back, when Wallace Gusler began his present column in Muzzle Blasts he explained his use of early language to describe the guns he writes about. He is doing this on purpose so we may be more accustomed with the "original" terminology, and that it may not be lost with the passage of time. It frustrates me sometime while reading his articles, but all-in-all is probably a good thing.

 

[Terry Zboril]

Stat,
Possibly that was a "Whitworth", which indeed had a "squared" or (I Think) pentagonal (5 sided) bore, (About .45 caliber elongated bullet with no rifling that needed a special cast bullet.)

It was a "Sniper's" rifle in the "War of Northern Aggression", supplied from England?? ,from what I have have heard, with a "confirmed" officer kill of about 1200 yards. Haven't "googled" it yet, but read it in a Magazine somewhere.
I shot a replica, with some imperfect/not right for the gun .45/70 cast bullets with EXTREME accuracy within 200 yards, even with the duds.

Don't know if this was the same type rifle, tho. It was a Cap gun, also. Took Musket caps, as I recall.

Regards,
Terry

 

[brushbuster]

Stat,
Possibly that was a "Whitworth", which indeed had a "squared" or (I Think) pentagonal (5 sided) bore, (About .45 caliber elongated bullet with no rifling that needed a special cast bullet.)

the whitworth has a .45cal hexagonal bullet at a 1:20 twist

 

I'm not sure what the caliber was... from what I remember, .45 looked about right. The bore was not square, it was hexagonal. (I was thinking 'squared', which, even though it was hexagonal, would look 'squared' when compared to a round bore, due to the flat sides.)

I wish I had more detail... but I just looked at it and "ooohed" and "aaaahed". At the time, I felt it an honor to hold something so old in my own hands... I was too "starstruck" with its uniqueness and age to examine it for barrel markings, etc. :redface: :sorry:

Good news is, I see the guy just about every month, and he's pretty proud of it. Apparently it's been in his family for a long long time, and he thinks it's worth a metric ton of money... six figures if I remember correctly. I don't know about all that :bull:, however, next time I see him/talk to him I will ask if I could possibly examine the piece again, and maybe even take some photos and post them here for everyone to enjoy. :redthumb:

 

[Terry Zboril]

Buster,
Been a while, could have well been a 6 sided bore.
Regards.
Terry