Shotgun Barrel Question

[JohnL]

I am curious about the purpose of a shallow hole that’s drilled in the underside of one of the barrels in my Liege double. Can anyone identify and explain to me why it’s there? Again, trying to learn. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[kje54]

I am curious about the purpose of a shallow hole that’s drilled in the underside of one of the barrels in my Liege double. Can anyone identify and explain to me why it’s there? Again, trying to learn. Thanks ahead of time.

A larger picture area to give better location reference might be helpful.

 

[JohnL]

A larger picture area to give better location reference might be helpful.

“Breach” is to the left in both photos.

 

[Rudyard]

It isn't useual practice I would suspect as to why . Can you see threads ? No very good reason I can think of . if its clear through the guns Cactus IE unsafe in that barrel at least.
Rudyard

 

[kje54]

I am curious about the purpose of a shallow hole that’s drilled in the underside of one of the barrels in my Liege double. Can anyone identify and explain to me why it’s there? Again, trying to learn. Thanks ahead of time.

Does it go all the way through into the bore?

 

[russellshaffer]

Does it go into the bore or stop at the breechplug? How large is the hole - can't really get a good idea from the photo.

 

[JohnL]

It isn't useual practice I would suspect as to why . Can you see threads ? No very good reason I can think of . if its clear through the guns Cactus IE unsafe in that barrel at least.
Rudyard

I see no threads, and it isn’t drilled completely through. I’m stumped.

 

[JohnL]

Does it go all the way through into the bore?

It does not go all the way through.

 

[JohnL]

Does it go into the bore or stop at the breechplug? How large is the hole - can't really get a good idea from the photo.

It does not go all the way through. I’ll get a better photo with a scale of sorts.

 

[kje54]

It does not go all the way through. I’ll get a better photo with a scale of sorts.

Sorry, I'm scratchin' my head and no it's not dandruff..........

 

[JohnL]

More photos...

 

[toot]

for weight? getting them in harmony, maybe? to get the right balance between the two.

 

[JohnL]

for weight? getting them in harmony, maybe? to get the right balance between the two.

I’m clueless. It’s apparently in the threaded section of the breach plug, so I’m guessing safe to shoot as the original owner shot it. Just really curious.

 

[toot]

either TIG or MIG weld it. that should take care of it. gun smiths do it all the time.

 

[JohnL]

either TIG or MIG weld it. that should take care of it. gun smiths do it all the time.

I used NHMoose’s test of hanging the barrels by a string and tapping with a screwdriver handle; they ring just like church bells. No dents, and I have cleaned a majority of the rust out of the bore. There is a good bit of pitting in there. Triggers and locks feel nice.

 

[Clint Meier]

That hole is so small (2mm, just over 1/16" in diameter) that it's metal removal would have no effect on balance. Could it have been drilled for the tip of a hooked type spanner wrench to catch into when tightening the second barrel into the breech plug after the first was tightened with a chain wrench or pipe-like wrench, which then couldn't be used for tightening the second barrel? Just my guess!

 

[Old Hawkeye]

It looks to me like the hole was drilled much later in the shotgun's life & not contemporaneous with it's birth. Why or what it was for is a mystery to me.

 

[russellshaffer]

If it was mine I would not weld on the barrel. I assume it is damascus?

 

[Zonie]

From what I see in the photo with the scale in it, the hole seems to be about 3mm in diameter. That would make it about 1/8".
The only reason for a hole like that, that I can think of is it is made for a spanner wrench to help screwing the barrel onto the breech plug. I'm not talking about the "spanner" wrench the British call an open end wrench for a hex bolt head. The spanner wrench I'm thinking of has one movable arm with a pin or hook sticking out of it. The pin fits into the hole and the wrench pushes against the side of the barrel to provide the torque necessary to tighten or loosen the object. See the photo below.

 

[Rudyard]

Well since its not gone through & you see no threads and even if you did probably would'nt matter so cant see the concerne have a gun maker look at it or proof it remotely in a tire on some farm. or quarry or deep stream bed just the barrels lest the stock be broken you might use stiff silver foil to add a sort of flash pan for lit papers. figure its likely to rocket off & should it burst no fragments can reach anyone I used to fasten securely to timber but allow it to slide the small stream having banks so no fragment could reach. That's what I would do but cant advise you of course. E gun of that sort might be twist but unlikely to be Damascus welding of barrels is illegal in UK or at least proof house wont proof it . Drilling a hole to balance it ?? silly notion Toot .
Rudyard