Some construction inquiries

[armourer eric]

I will be working on the assembly of my Rifle Shoppe matchlock next week, and I have some questions on the barrel preparation:

The barrel is a Colerain Barrel Co smooth bore octagonal to round with a 12 stamped on it.

1) The pan is brazed onto the barrel but the touch hole is not drilled, though there is a mark for it's location, is there any special bits required to drill this? what size hole would you use?

2)The barrel was to have a "cannon" muzzle but arrived plain, is this an attachable part that I can aquire?

I appreciate any assistance on this, I am a skilled armour maker and should be able to handle it. I will have more questions on the stock later.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[robinghewitt]

Brazed pan, cannon barrel, this must be a Continental baggy trouser gun ::

 

[armourer eric]

Yup

 

[robinghewitt]

1) Same as a flinter, 1/16" is considered slightly too small. 1/8" and you won't get any pressure up inside. 5/64" seems optimal but 3/32" is not unheard off. The barrel is soft iron so any metal bit will do it, you can get long series drills if the pan is in the way.

2) If the barrel is round I don't think you'll have much trouble getting a piece turned to fit, assuming you leave the barrel bright. If you colour it you could get an unfortunate contrast unless you match the steel.