Half stock with swamped barrel?

[Doc Arroyo]

Have you ever seen or better yet, built one? What method did you use to make the underbarrel rib fit the profile of the swamped barrel?

I saw this question on board. That board is known for ignoring any questions that don't fit within their narrow ideas of muzzleloading. :curse: I figured that you folks might have an answer that I could pass on, along with an invite to take a look at this site! :thumbsup:

 

[GobblerKnob]

Doc - I thought it was just me! I've noticed questions go unanswered as well. Wasn't sure what that was. There's an awful lot of talent on that board. I hope they haven't forgotten they had to start somewhere, too. :hmm:
To answer this question, I don't know...
Rick

 

[Stumpkiller]

I recently saw an article that had an old original half-stock with a wood under rib. That could be attached with pins in a oversize height with the curve and then trued out on a joiner set with a tiny step.

Otherwise: file, file, file.

 

I have seen European ones, but I couldn't tell you how to do it except by hand fitting. I believe there is one that belonged to French royalty shown in Silver and Gusler's book that pictures the exhibition guns--cannot remember the exact title.

 

[Randy]

I've never seen a swamped barrel half stock but they may exist. I do know some original half stocks had hollow ribs formed out of thin sheet metal. That would be a lot less work to file to fit the contour of the barrel. Back then swamped barrels were created with the forge and file and anyone that could do that could certainly file a rib to match the barrel. It's surprising how fast the job goes when using a good sharp file.

 

[Zonie]

I've seen what once was a swamped full stock at a gun show. The forward part of the stock had broken so it was just sawed off back at the ramrod entry.
It didn't have a underrib. In fact, I don't think you want to hear about what was holding the ramrod but it sure wasn't pretty. :cry:

The rest of the gun was in equally sad condition.

As for originals, I haven't heard of, or seen pictures of one intentially built that way.

Perhaps in Europe things were different, but I think by the time the Half stock became popular (at least in this country), the swamped barrel had long been out of favor. :imo:

PS: About the comment "...That board is known for ignoring any questions that don't fit within their narrow ideas of muzzleloading...."

Although the other site I'm thinking of has a large number of very knowledgable people on the site, I noticed that same attitude over there. That's why I HAVE NOT joined their site.
That's also why I asked Claude to start this Builders Bench site some time ago.
My desire for this Forum is that it would be a place for ALL builders. Especially the newcomers.

Sense that time, Muzzleloading Forum has grown by leaps and bounds! In doing so, we have gained a lot of Very Knowledgable Builders here who are more than happy to help answer even the simplest questions. My Hats off to you all! :redthumb: :redthumb: :redthumb:

I hope as we grow, we will attract even more of the knowledge which is available on that Other site.
They are of course more than welcome here, but the last thing I want to see on this Forum are people who only come to act pious and criticize without adding helpful knowledge.

This is first and formost IMO a friendly and helpful place to come to.

 

[JeffinNZ]

Hi
I have done this.
I put a new barrel on a Richland Wesson a couple of years back. I wasn't interested in staying authentic so much as making the Wesson shoot well again. I replaced the .50cal barrel with a Colerain .40cal as suggested by Birddog6. The rig has half foreend and a barrel rib contoured to fit the outline of the swamped barrel.
In fairness the rifle still looks really good and shoots very well again which is testimony to the good folk at Colerain as much as anything.
Because the contour of the barrel is not overly pronouced the asthetics are pleasant.
:results:

 

[Birddog6]

I will comment also the barrel was shortened on the Wesson to 35-36" ? So the large end has been cut off or possibly some of it? Thus it is more of a taper barrel than swamp ?

I know the breech end had 2" cut off as I cut it off so I can make this 40 cal. Derringer..

Now all I have to do is whittle down this stock to fit the barrel...... :thumbsup: