Steel in India-made muskets- MH

[springfield art]

Browsing the Military Heritage site, they state clearly in the specifications, that musket barrels are made of Tempered Seamless Gun Steel, Type BS970n.080M40. That's Greek to me, but would seem to add confidence to potential buyers. Many of their muskets are sold out, backordered, or in-transit, so there must be a healthy market out there.

 

[64Springer]

79% rifles.

Just drill a vent hole.

What's not to like.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

oh boy! i love threads about indian made guns!

 

[Steve Aubrey]

I bought one, love it! It has the feel of an original, more than a CNC pedersoli. Don't get me wrong, love my Pedersoli.

 

[springfield art]

oh boy! i love threads about indian made guns!

Yeah, me too, but I thought it was notable they actually spec the type of steel.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Yeah, me too, but I thought it was notable they actually spec the type of steel.

I never believe anything I read.....

 

[ord sgt]

I looked those numbers online. "This British mild steel is very similar to the American AISI 1040 mild steel. Refer to AISI 1040 for additional properties". Density, typical carbon steel.
It's as clear as mud since I am not real familiar with metals.

 

[NorthFork]

It is the same as the old EN8 steel. If used in an barrel, even for muzzleloader pressures, it is suspect. Probably safe, but......

It is intended for axles, bolts, and gears IF PROPERLY HEAT TREATED!!!!!!

Edit- oh and while I'm not technically a metallurgist by degree, my previous career was heat treating. You have to be a 'metallurgist' by trade to be a successful employee.

 

[tenngun]

11 Bang Bang channel on YouTube has good vids shooting these guns with up to 200 grain charges in a bess and over two thousand shots through a charley

 

[kaotikross]

These guns are as trustworthy as the originals were, probably more so.

 

[64Springer]

^^^I'll take a post Henry Bessemer barrel over a pre-Henry Bessemer barrel any day.^^^

 

[Sidney Smith]

What type of steel? Your old washing machine!

 

[Colonial Boy]

These guns are as trustworthy as the originals were, probably more so.

Undoubtedly.
.577 Enfield barrels were drawn from a folded and then fire welded billet, thus the barrels have a drawn seam for their entire length.

 

[Tyler L]

It is the same as the old EN8 steel. If used in an barrel, even for muzzleloader pressures, it is suspect. Probably safe, but......

Suspect?

By comparison, Traditions Firearms is supposedly using 12L14*, one of the softest steels you can get in bar stock. Given how much machining is required, it's probably not even cold-rolled.

*On the Kentucky and some others anyway. I see their more expensive rifles advertise chromoly steel.

 

[NorthFork]

Suspect?

By comparison, Traditions Firearms is supposedly using 12L14*, one of the softest steels you can get in bar stock. Given how much machining is required, it's probably not even cold-rolled.

*On the Kentucky and some others anyway. I see their more expensive rifles advertise chromoly steel.

Traditions does not use 12L14 for their barrels. 12L14 steel is used in many American made barrels for muzzleloaders however. Like Colerain and Rice for example.

 

[Surfinator58]

I read a report from HP white laboratory a highly respected metallurgist in the industry on the quality of Steel in India made guns! It stated that they used standard industry materials and held up to the same standard American gun manufacturers used! Hopefully I'll be able to attach it

 

[Surfinator58]

I read a report from HP white laboratory a highly respected metallurgist in the industry on the quality of Steel in India made guns! It stated that they used standard industry materials and held up to the same standard American gun manufacturers used! Hopefully I'll be able to attach it

Okay it was a Middlesex Village FAQ and about halfway through the article was this HP white report

 

[sturmkatze]

79% rifles.

Just drill a vent hole.

What's not to like.

They’re not rifles, they’re muskets. Smooth bore muskets.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

I read a report from HP white laboratory a highly respected metallurgist in the industry on the quality of Steel in India made guns! It stated that they used standard industry materials and held up to the same standard American gun manufacturers used! Hopefully I'll be able to attach it

Lots of excellent steel is made in India, and has been for years.

 

[tenngun]

They’re not rifles, they’re muskets. Smooth bore muskets.

Most are muskets, but also fusils and fowlers