Wedding Bands

[Rupe/PA]

Please excuse my ignorance on the subject, but I need to ask a question. I have checked the Search file and cannot find the answer. Are the wedding bands on a barrel decorative or do they represent sections where a barrel has been joined ? If the latter, does this weaken the barrel ? I am looking at a kit and the specs say that the barrel will have two wedding bands. I am asking for clarification and for my own education. Thanks.

 

[Eric Krewson]

Decoration only.

 

[Birddog6]

They are for decoration only...
Do they weaken it ? IMHO yes.... anytime you remove mass in a area it would be weaker there & especially cut a ring around one it weakens it. A dovetail in one weakens one to a certain extent...
However, does it matter?..... well that all depends on where the band is, how deep the cut around it is, & how thick the barrel is initially, & allot of dif. things. A good thick barrel & regular loads I have never heard of having a problem, but a thin barrel can be a problem. :m2c:

 

[Slowpoke]

Here's a picture of the "Wedding Bands" on my smooth rifle.

 

[robinghewitt]

It dates back to the 16th/17th century when you couldn't change direction or shape when turning wood, unless you introduced a decorative trim. It held true for a long while after and they couln't go from octogon to round without a celebration. Usually the bands are only carved into the visible part of the barrel, nothing underneath at all. It's a renaissance wood turning thing.

 

[Zonie]

Boy, that are a reliev. Ah thout ye wer talkin 'bout em real weddin bands an Ah wer gonna tell ye ta keep yar distance!

Las tim Ah fooled with one o them it changd ma life, at's fer sure! Korse, iffen Ah had'nt fooled aroun with one of um, Ah probably wood 'ave killed maself bi now, so Ah guess thay are good fer somthin. ::

 

Dude--- you are being way too appoligetic. This is someting that a lot of people (like me) may be inerested in hearing the responses to -- and not even realized they had an interest in hearing about until someone asks the question. Ask away and lets have a dialogue. Having said that, I, unfortunately, have nothing to say that would help you in this particular instance..... :relax:

 

Origionally the octogon to round barrels were forged in two sections and welded together where the wedding bands set. That is probably one reason the name is used. They were at the point where the sections were wedded, and used to hide the weld seam.

I have read the old recepit for how many worn out horse shoes you had to salvage to form the seperate octogon and round sections. They didn't throw anything away.

:m2c:

 

[Rupe/PA]

This info on welding the two sections together is what prompted my original question. I have a smoothbore that has the wedding bands and was questioning whether or not the barrel may be weak at this point. From the responses, should I assume that on guns produced today, that the wedding bands are for decoration only or do they in fact hide a seam ? It got me to wondering. Thanks for all the info.

 

[Terry Zboril]

Origionally the octogon to round barrels were forged in two sections and welded together where the wedding bands set. That is probably one reason the name is used. They were at the point where the sections were wedded, and used to hide the weld seam.

I have read the old recepit for how many worn out horse shoes you had to salvage to form the seperate octogon and round sections. They didn't throw anything away.

Ghost, Been forging for a while. What are your references for the round being forged welded to the octagon? Never heard of that. Lap weld, or lots of scarfing?

Seems like a weak and inefficient way to do it. Interested.
Terry