Starting a .62 Rifle build

[PathfinderNC]

Last year I was given TRS parts for an “Officer’s Fusil”. It is .62 caliber and has a round barrel that needed lugs and sights installed.
I was considering the various ways of doing this and decided to cut dovetails into the barrel.
Because it’s a round barrel, I have been nervous to attack it. But today I just decided go try my hand at it, using some instructions I have learned here.
I located the top and bottom (which wasn’t hard since the barrel breech plug was already installed and the side flats milled).
I decided to begin with the barrel lugs rather than the front sight so I could get a feel for the job. Then I measured and used a hacksaw to make the rough cuts, very slowly. After that I was able to use my needle files and adjust the cuts so the tenons would be straight along the center line. I will reinforce these with low-temp solder.
I was trying to recall how Dave Person taught us how to do this technique. I just re-discovered it again: Soldering barrel lugs and sight, success!
After success on the bottom, I went ahead and cut and dovetailed the front sight in. I am happy with how it’s come along. Now I need to buy a rear sight and get that in, and it’s ready to go.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

"Generally" when I dovetails lugs into a thin round barrel like that I'll use a little solder as well. You're very brave, most folks wouldn't dove tail those on that barrel.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Last year I was given TRS parts for an “Officer’s Fusil”. It is .62 caliber and has a round barrel that needed lugs and sights installed.
I was considering the various ways of doing this and decided to cut dovetails into the barrel.
Because it’s a round barrel, I have been nervous to attack it. But today I just decided go try my hand at it, using some instructions I have learned here.
I located the top and bottom (which wasn’t hard since the barrel breech plug was already installed and the side flats milled).
I decided to begin with the barrel lugs rather than the front sight so I could get a feel for the job. Then I measured and used a hacksaw to make the rough cuts, very slowly. After that I was able to use my needle files and adjust the cuts so the tenons would be straight along the center line.
After success on the bottom, I went ahead and cut and dovetailed the front sight in. I am happy with how it’s come along. Now I need to buy a rear sight and get that in, and it’s ready to go.

The DTs look good, but I am with Mike. I would be checking/calculating the thickness of barrel material left especially on the breech end.
Larry

 

[PathfinderNC]

Thanks Mike. Yes, I may add some solder also- I saw how Dave Person had dovetailed lugs and soldered them on a round barrel, which was a Bess iirc.
The barrel tapers from 9/8” to 7/8”; it’s quite thick walled.

 

[PathfinderNC]

The DTs look good, but I am with Mike. I would be checking/calculating the thickness of barrel material left especially on the breech end.
Larry

Thanks Larry- the barrel is quite thick so the 1/16” (maybe less) deep notch shouldn’t be a problem I think. I have been looking at original Civil War rifled muskets a friend has and shoots and see some were dovetailed.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Thanks Mike. Yes, I may add some solder also- I saw how Dave Person had dovetailed lugs and soldered them on a round barrel, which was a Bess iirc.
The barrel tapers from 9/8” to 7/8”; it’s quite thick walled.

I've done this to thin barrels many times but found they stay put better with just a dab of solder. Not much dovetail to bite down on the lug.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I've done this to thin barrels many times but found they stay put better with just a dab of solder. Not much dovetail to bite down on the lug.

Thanks Mike. Good to have you around

 

[54ball]

Last year I was given TRS parts for an “Officer’s Fusil”. It is .62 caliber and has a round barrel that needed lugs and sights installed.
I was considering the various ways of doing this and decided to cut dovetails into the barrel.
Because it’s a round barrel, I have been nervous to attack it. But today I just decided go try my hand at it, using some instructions I have learned here.
I located the top and bottom (which wasn’t hard since the barrel breech plug was already installed and the side flats milled).
I decided to begin with the barrel lugs rather than the front sight so I could get a feel for the job. Then I measured and used a hacksaw to make the rough cuts, very slowly. After that I was able to use my needle files and adjust the cuts so the tenons would be straight along the center line. I will reinforce these with low-temp solder.
I was trying to recall how Dave Person taught us how to do this technique. I just re-discovered it again: Soldering barrel lugs and sight, success!
After success on the bottom, I went ahead and cut and dovetailed the front sight in. I am happy with how it’s come along. Now I need to buy a rear sight and get that in, and it’s ready to go.

Very nice work!
That’s a very interesting gun as well.

So would this be more of a “Sporting Rifle”?
I remember seeing a “ Gamekeeper’s Rifle” of the latter 18th Century, it was either on Clay Smiths site or one of Gary Brumfield’s articles.
18th Century English rifles...would make a very interesting study.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Very nice work!
That’s a very interesting gun as well.

So would this be more of a “Sporting Rifle”?
I remember seeing a “ Gamekeeper’s Rifle” of the latter 18th Century, it was either on Clay Smiths site or one of Gary Brumfield’s articles.
18th Century English rifles...would make a very interesting study.

It was in a TRS assemblage (from 1996)for building their "British Dragoon*Carbine". Comes with all the parts for the gun (except the rear sight), including the lock engraved "Edge". (Someone said it looks like an engraved Chamber's lock.) Anyway, I may stray from the original intent and make it a good hunting gun (double set triggers even, as the lock has a fly).

 

[PathfinderNC]

The stock is too short for the 37" barrel. I think it was cut short for a bayonet, though I don't know why the front sight was included.

 

[Fitzhugh Williams]

I have a number of fusils with round barrels and I have never dovetailed any of them. I silver solder the barrel lugs to the barrel and have never had a problem. Ony time it is somewhat difficult is when the front sight is opposite the front lug. I add solder to the barrel and wire the lug and sight in place, then solder them. Works great.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Thanks Mike. Good to have you around

Bob, I saw a video from Clay Smith on soldering lugs and a front sight, he was good and I used his ideas on my fowler.

 

[IanH]

The stock is too short for the 37" barrel. I think it was cut short for a bayonet, though I don't know why the front sight was included.

That just gives you more room to get your frozen fingers around the end of the rammer when out hunting.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

I have a number of fusils with round barrels and I have never dovetailed any of them. I silver solder the barrel lugs to the barrel and have never had a problem. Ony time it is somewhat difficult is when the front sight is opposite the front lug. I add solder to the barrel and wire the lug and sight in place, then solder them. Works great.

Silver solder is too hot for this application.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Silver solder is too hot for this application.

Yes. I will use the low temp solder (suggested by Dave and others) that works at like 420 degrees. I forgot the name but got some.

 

[IanH]

Silver-bearing solder, it's like 4% silver.

 

[PathfinderNC]

Got the lugs dovetailed and sloppy-soldered.
I’m such a hack

 

[PathfinderNC]

My focus on this fully round, rifled barrel now turns to the rear sight. Because it’s round (looks very similar to a Brown Bess barrel), I am not sure how to approach this. My thought is to dovetail it like I have done with the front sight so that it can be drifted if need be. One simple rear sight I ordered from Track should arrive soon.
I have seen muskets with fixed on rear sights, but I believe they were all 19th Century smoothbores. This is a first for me.
If anyone has examples of rear sights on 18th century round rifle barrels, please share
Thanks.

 

[sportster73hp]

I am building a Baker calvary carbine from TRS and totally fudged the rear dovetail so cut the forward lug to match the barrel and soldiered both in place. Not proud of it not pretty but it’s done now.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I am building a Baker calvary carbine from TRS and totally fudged the rear dovetail so cut the forward lug to match the barrel and soldiered both in place. Not proud of it not pretty but it’s done now.

Thanks for the lead on the Baker rifle- found this info
"Rear sight was a block dovetailed into the barrel, about seven inches forward of the breach, allowing windage adjustment. The block was cut with a V notch..."
see: The Baker Rifle
Additionally, I see the Ferguson Rifle had a dovetailed rear sight (pic below).
So I will go and dovetail mine in as well.