pin count

[mattybock]

the bulk of long rifles I've seen have had three pins holding the barrel to the stock, which seems about standard.
However I've seen some antiques with four pins, and very old matchlocks often did not have a single pin, but rather a single band around the muzzle end of the stock.
So far I've never seen a single two pin rifle, but the modern reproduction hawkens often have only one single rectangular wedge.

My question is - is there some kind of science to the pin count on a gun, or it it just style?

 

[MJMarkey]

I think the number of barrel pins is related to the length of the barrel. The forestock is supported by the barrel and because it is very thin on longer barrels having an extra pin allows you to keep your pins close to 10 inches apart giving more support to the wood. On barrels 38" and less 3 pins (or less for even shorter) should be sufficient. But I don't think there is a rule.

 

[rich pierce]

He nailed it.

 

[roundball]

Yes, my 38" barrels have 3 pins, my 42" barrels have 4 pins

 

[DUSTY 14]

when i built my rifle i put 4 pins as i have a swamped barrel and did not want to file a tab into the skinniest part of the barrel. may be why some of the old weapons had the extra pin.

 

[MJMarkey]

On those skinny swamped barrels a barrel lug in the thin area can be soldered on with no problem.