Hooked Breech Tip

[ghallock]

Hi Folks,
I'm building my first gun, a 20-gauge Track of the Wolf hooked-breech English fowler (in walnut) with Jim Chambers round-faced English lock.

I was having a difficult time inletting the breech tang and mentioned it to the fine folks at Dixon's. Their suggestion was to epoxy the tang to the breech plug and proceed with the inlet as for a regular tang. It's worked beautifully! A little heat from a tourch releases the epoxy when finished.

This has allowed me to draw-file the barrel and tang for a perfect fit and finish so thought I'd pass along the tip for other new builders that may have struggled with this too!

Regards,
FF

 

[mckutzy]

good idea, thanks :thumbsup:

 

[bouldersmith]

I preffer soft solder, either way though.
Steve

 

[MikeChapin]

I do the same thing. A little cheapo five minute epoxy from the hardware store and then file everything smooth. I then keep it together and inlet the barrel and tang as one piece. A little heat and it comes apart.

 

[ghallock]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for another good tip! I hadn't thought of soft solder but am sure it works fine.

I recently restored to working order a E.James 11-gauge double and had to resolder the barrels. The job went fine but I had a heck of a time cleaning excess solder off so I could brown the barrels.

Do you have any tips for keeping solder off unwanted areas?

Thanks,
FF aka;George

 

[bouldersmith]

getting ready to lay some ribs in the next week or so. I just order a video from the gunmakers guild, "gunsmithing techniques of William Nittler", who was purdey trained. I understand that is covered quite well in the video. I'll let you know after I see it. The best thing I've foung for removing the excess is a smashed brass cartridge case which has been ground to a sharp edge. The edge doesnt last long, but it works well. Harder than solder, softer than steel.
Steve

 

[ghallock]

Thanks Steve. I'll have to try the sharpened brass next time. I used a piece of soft iron that was sharpened and it worked but was a little scarry to use.

Please let me know how you like the video - maybe I'll have to get one for myself as I like messing with old ml shotguns. George