My Powder Drum Blew Out. Is My Barrel Done For?

[loud41]

Remington manufactured and sold barrels for the trade and it's quite common to find a gun with a Remington marked barrel. I wasn't able to open any of the new photos you posted. It looks like I would have to download a program or join a hosting service, neither of which I will do. I'm afraid I can't see anything to indicate the lock was ever anything except a percussion lock. It's possible the drum was a (poorly done) repair from back in the gun's working life.

You have to have a google/gmail account to access the drive. I'll attach some photos here for those who can't access my shared drive.

 

[loud41]

Some more... These are only the highlights mind you.

 

[loud41]

And the last few... If you want to see the remaining 70 or so photos, get yourself a google or gmail account and you will gain access.

 

[GregLaRoche]

The pictures opened up fine for me and I don’t think I have anything special to view them. I am using an iPad.

Its the half moon cut out in the lock, where the drum now fits, that could have been where a priming pan was to be fitted. It could have been a flintlock originally or the flintlock lock was available and used when making the percussion gun.

 

[Walkingeagle]

I have zero experience nor even the intelligence to voice an opinion, however it appears to me that the wrist repair has thrown the stock out of alignment, which resulted in stress on the tang, lock and subsequently the drum. I think that over time this weakened things to the point of failure.
Regarding the age or repair plan, I’ll leave to the experts.
Walk

 

[Josephg]

I like the look of it. I'd install a new barrel and breech and call it maintenance. A wall hanger is perty useless.

Hang the old barrel on a wall.

After looking at a few of the pictures I've changed my mind. It's a wall hanger. Time to let it rest. Build another one just like it.

 

[mlo]

It definitely won't hurt nothing to ask! I've read a lot of great things about Hoyt in my research on him and his work.

I picked up a vintage percussion half stock at a gun show last year, it was in good condition but had a real rough bore. I was tempted to shoot it before sending it to Mr. Hoyt for a rebore but thought I had better remove the barrel from the stock. Good thing I did, the breach plug was rusted and about ready to fall out. I sent it to Robert and he made a new plug and welded it to the tang, then recut the bore from .38 to .45. It turned out to be a great shooter. Just leave a message on his phone and he will get back to you.

mikeo

 

[GregLaRoche]

How much would you have to pay for a replacement barrel for this gun? A new barrel should fit right in and not have any additional costs to have it fitted to the gun, right?

 

[BadDaditood]

Did you post pics to the ALR site?
I didn’t see it in the Antique Collecting section

 

[loud41]

Did you post pics to the ALR site?
I didn’t see it in the Antique Collecting section

No not yet. I'm compiling all the measurements of the rifle, and then I will post it to ALR.

 

[GregLaRoche]

When taking pictures of items, it’s a good idea to place a ruler or measuring device next to the items.

 

[rickystl]

It sounds like you would receive more enjoyment from the gun as a shooter versus just the current caretaker. And there is nothing wrong with wanting to restore an original muzzle loader of moderate value into a safe shooter. I've learned that most things are doable given enough time and money put into the project. But in every case, there is often a point of no return. So, if you are set on trying to keep it in safe shooting form, I would send the barrel to Bobby Hoyt for his inspection. He will be honest with you if the barrel can be repaired to "safe" shooting condition. And I trust his judgement. He has restored a number of barrels for me. And, what all would be required to make the fix. If, in his opinion, he recommends retiring the barrel, you still have the option of having him make you a new barrel. Especially while your barrel is already there. He can duplicate the outside dimensions of your barrel exactly, in case it's different than whats commercially available today. And you can pick the same or different caliber. That way, any good muzzle loading gun builder can refit the new barrel to the stock with minimal fuss. And install a new drum so the hammer hits square on the nipple, shape the new breech plug, install new sights (or use your originals), etc, etc. I would think this would be preferable to cutting off breech plugs, shortening fore stocks, and re-working barrel channels. And, in the long run, probably the least expensive route. And you still have the old barrel for display. Just some thoughts.

Rick

 

[flashpoint]

I agree with most, however, from the looks of the wood, the fitting, maybe a small crack starting in the hammer, etc., I would definitely get it completely checked out. If a light load did that, who knows what else has deteriorated over the years. Good luck.

 

[stevenjay1]

Old rifles do wear out but they can be repaired as they were in the past. I repaired one that was in worse shape then yours. First, you can keep the original barrel but have it relined, you may have it shorten to remove the damaged rear section of the barrel. Then install either a breech plug and drum or use a patent breech plug. Make the necessary adjustment to or replace the hammer to hit the nipple square on. And lastly, you will need to shorten the stock by the nose cap to match the reduced barrel length. I may have missed a step
or two but bottom line, the rifle can be repaired.

 

[jimhallam]

That is a beautiful rifle.

I wouldn't let it out of my sight (shipping).

In my opinion, it should get repaired enough to shoot again and then get hung up for display.

You could also just glue in a new drum and leave it, the more you do to it that detracts from it's value would make it just another piece of metal and wood.

I like the idea of getting the barrel to Hoyt but I would not cut the barrel down.

I have used Helicoils for extreme environments. I would do that. I would not do anything to the barrel that would mar the finish.

I don't like the idea of gluing in a new drum. Some time in the future the new owner might not know and might try to fire the rifle ;-(((((

 

[jimhallam]

Photos are terrific, that number 3 is stamped on lock parts in my rifle too.

Obviously an assembly #

 

[jimhallam]

Interesting bundhook! Looks like a flintlock "drum & nipple" conversion BUT the lockplate shows no sign of having been a flintlock one -- no evidence of filled holes where the frizzen spring would have been and the upper surface shows no sign of where a pan might have been. Probably assembled from parts in the gunsmith's shop during the period when caplocks were coming in?

Perhaps I am wrong, but putting a new barrel into a genuine antique stock would end up with something neither fish nor fowl. Why not attach a label with its known history and retire it gracefully, buying something else to shoot? That would preserve its integrity.

 

[loud41]

Alright just got off the phone with Hoyt. He's a great guy to talk to! He's excited to get his hands on it and fix it. He says he actually has seen and fixed problems like this many times in civil war era muskets and such, and is confident in being able to restore the barrel. I will keep you guys informed on the progress of the rifle as I go along.

 

[hawkeye2]

Fantastic! Bobby can't walk on water (that I know of) but he can work miracles with barrels. I'm glad you decided to go this route.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Alright just got off the phone with Hoyt. He's a great guy to talk to! He's excited to get his hands on it and fix it. He says he actually has seen and fixed problems like this many times in civil war era muskets and such, and is confident in being able to restore the barrel. I will keep you guys informed on the progress of the rifle as I go along.

Terrific! I'm sure all of us are eager to see how it turns out!

Notchy Bob