Belted ball guns

[Stykbow]

I’ve read about these on a few threads and I have a question. Looking at a couple of bore pics it’s obvious that it’s cut to accept the “belt” on the ball. My question is this, does that cut rotate as it goes down the barrel? Seems like it would have to if it’s a rifled gun, but maybe guns using a belted ball were all smooth bores.

 

[Stykbow]

Thought I’d bump this back to the top in hopes someone had an answer for me. @ResearchPress or @TFoley maybe?

 

[deerstalkert]

i thought i remembered these. stole this from wiki.
The Brunswick rifle was one of several designs submitted to replace the Baker rifle. Unlike the Baker rifle, the Brunswick rifle used a special round ball with raised ribs that fit into two spiraling grooves in the barrel.

 

[wyldbill]

Unsure IF I'm understanding your inquiry correctly; however, it caused me to remember what was called the "studded Armstrong artillery round" which was quite rare, apparently, and used by Southern gun crews during the American Civil War.

 

[Stykbow]

Thanks @deerstalkert. Appreciate the response.

 

[deerstalkert]

i am nothing but an interweb genius!
actually i think i read about them in WW Greeners book The Gun. but like most of the trivia i have learned i have forgotten most of it.
if i ever knew it in the first place!

 

[Erwan]

i am nothing but an interweb genius!

You too...?

 

[TFoley]

I’ve read about these on a few threads and I have a question. Looking at a couple of bore pics it’s obvious that it’s cut to accept the “belt” on the ball. My question is this, does that cut rotate as it goes down the barrel? Seems like it would have to if it’s a rifled gun, but maybe guns using a belted ball were all smooth bores.

The belted ball was rotated in the spiral groove of rifling. Mr Minshall is THE expert, however, and all future correspondence in this matter ought rightly to be adressed in his direction.

 

[TFoley]

Unsure IF I'm understanding your inquiry correctly; however, it caused me to remember what was called the "studded Armstrong artillery round" which was quite rare, apparently, and used by Southern gun crews during the American Civil War. View attachment 179765

Studded projectiles were most often the province of coastal defence guns of VERY large calibre - mostly breech-loading.

 

[52Bore]

Yes, the barrels have a twist to the grooves.
Twist rate varies by bore size and probably by maker.
Photo 17b & 40b

 

[SciAggie]

Were these projectiles patched?

 

[TFoley]

Were these projectiles patched?

Watch this old Youtube movie from Hovie smith -

 

[Col. Batguano]

I have one. A SxS James D. Purdey 40 Bore circa 1858. They were often called "express rifled". Yes, you have to patch them, and obviously load them with the balls properly oriented. As I recall the twist was somewhat slow.

 

[deerstalkert]

Yes, the barrels have a twist to the grooves.
Twist rate varies by bore size and probably by maker.
Photo 17b & 40b

View attachment 179825
View attachment 179826

i am in love!

 

[52Bore]

SCIAggie:

My 40b is cased and has the belted ball mold, if there was a conical mold - it’s been separated from the case/gun.
I use a thin silk patch. I’ve also found that a thick 54cal felt wad (grooves are 0.530”) under the patch ball regulated the barrels.

 

[SciAggie]

I'm glad this thread was started as I've always been curious about these rifles. How is accuracy? I assume that if it was superior to a PRB we would still be shooting belted balls - but what could one expect at 50 yards or so?

I'm assuming a barrel cut for a belted ball was perhaps easier to manufacture than what we think of as a more conventional rifled bore?

 

[Stykbow]

So the groove for the belts IS the rifling. I get it now. It seems to me that it would be as accurate as standard rifling for a ball, but maybe the belt hurt it aerodynamically and/or reduced accuracy. No idea myself, but they are still very cool in my opinion.

 

[52Bore]

Since to topic has come up.
FYI
A 2-winged bullet shot out of the same type Brunswick rifling..

 

[SciAggie]

@52Bore Those guns and accessories are way cool.

 

[ResearchPress]

Thought I’d bump this back to the top in hopes someone had an answer for me. @ResearchPress . . . ?

I note others have already answered your question. The following on my web site may also be of interest - The Brunswick Rifle.

David