What exactly is a "swamped barrel" ?

[LaneC]

Hello everyone and peace be with you. I am just now learning about flintlocks and I am getting a lot of education on this nice site. Would someone be so kind, to inform me as to what exactly is a swamped barrel. Thanks for your patients in advance and all info. is well appreciated. I live in Mississippi and hope to get a rifle built one day or Possibly a fowler, for the advantage of small game and deer at short range as well. Are the swamped barrels only on rifles or are they also on fowlers with "wedding bands" on the barrels also? Thanks again for any info and thanks for a great website with so much experience and knowledge that all yall folks share.

 

[LaneC]

Hello to all. I am just learning about flintlocks and would like to know what a "swamped barrel" is. I would like to get a rifle or fowler built one day but do not know what this swamped barrel means. Thanks for a great site with so muck experience and knowledge that is shared. I live in Mississippi and thanks so much for any info. in advance. (I posted this same question in the wrong place I think) Thanks again for any info and your patience with a new learner. Also are these barrels used on fowlers with the wedding bands or only on rifles. Thanks again.

 

[biliff]

Hopefully this will kill two birds with one stone and answer both questions.

 

[Treestalker]

LaneC; A swamped barrel is a (usually) rifled barrel that tapers towards the middle/forward part, then flares out again to the muzzle. This saves a lot of weight on a long barrel especially, and was used on some American longrifles.It really makes a difference holding up the gun, and it also introduces a nice angle for the lockplate, allowing a wider wrist area. The overall effect is a beautifully shaped and balanced gun. They require skill to inlet properly, and I never have tackled it. By the way, I know you're new, so am I, but please ask this type of question in a different area. (I'm still struggling too,Ha) Welcome to the Forum, no question is wrong, just the one that is not asked. :hatsoff: Treestalker.

 

[roundball]

Link to Alphabetic Glossary of Terms:
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/230025/


Swamped Barrel:
Term describing the tapered and flared profile commonly seen on barrels up until the 19th century. The breech end of the barrel would be heavy and strong for safety; then the barrel would gradually taper down to an area about eight or ten inches behind the muzzle, at which point it would flare back out to a diameter slightly less than the breech. Frequently, the barrel would be an inch wide at the breech, taper down to around 3/4" at the narrowest part, and back out to around 7/8" at the muzzle. While it sounds strange, these barrels are incredibly graceful and beautiful, giving a feeling of balance to the arm that must be felt to be appreciated. A lot of unnecessary weight is gotten rid of, as well, and the lines of the architecture of the entire rifle flow so much more beautifully than in a straight-barreled arm. Today, swamped barrels are only found on custom made rifles and are available only from custom barrel makers.

 

[nwtradegun]

a swamped barrel allows for a longer but lighter barrel.

 

[kaintuck]

Swamped in that when you start making these rifles...you sell the center fire guns and buy tools, and parts, and wood.....pretty soon your "swamped" :rotf:

And the "wedding band" came from some woman telling her husband " you like that gun so much, why don't you just marry it!?" :stir:


:surrender: :rotf: :rotf:
Marc

 

[Zonie]

The only thing I can add to the picture you posted is most "swamped barrels" are full octagon all the way from the breech to the muzzle.

The barrel in the sketch is a octagon to round barrel.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Yeah, this is a bit more typical for a swamped rifle barrel.
http://www.trackofthewolf.com/imgPart/cole-ga_1.jpg

Look close and you can actually see the swamped contours on this rifle. The barrel type saved overall weight and redistributed it for better balance. http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_vb_Yo_ELC48/S9yNknUgxlI/AAAAAAAAb_E/_2fVx2fGBs0/s1600/aai-432_1.jpg

 

[biliff]

I only posted that one because the OP asked about swamped fowler barrels.

 

[LaneC]

Thanks a bunch for the replies. I see now. I guess they just make it lighter by doing that like someone stated. Are these considered to be better when getting a rifle or fowler or is it just a matter of preference? I really appreciate the input. I am on a learning curve here and yall are making it a pleasant one. Thanks again.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger...the learning curve goes on past the horizon! :thumbsup: If you have a question, please ask. Sometimes oven us old grey-beards learn a thing or twelve! :wink: :haha:

 

[roundball]

Agree...everybody starts out at the bottom of the curve

 

[MSW]

generally, a fowler is smoothbore, whereas a rifle has (of course) rifling... (there are probably stylistic differences as well) the rifling can be the usual square bottomed rifling which is seen in almost every center fire gun you've ever seen, or it can be 'radius groove' or 'round bottom' rifling, where the grooves are not squared off. you will pay a premium for the radius groove or round bottom rifling, but it's easier to clean .. I think that it's worth the extra expense, but they're your hard earned, God- entrusted and overtaxed dollars, so spend them as you see fit ...

learning curve? there's a learning curve? ... I always thought there was an enormous mountain of information which we were supposed to acknowledge existed and was impossible to absorb ...
:surrender:

hope this helps

 

[LaneC]

This indeed does help, and thanks for the input. I guess if I ever get a rifle built I will be sure and get one with the round bottom rifling. If I buy something I try and save to get the very best, to a certain point. I am listening and appreciate the knowledge being passed on. I would like to one day be "swamped" in all the things listed that go along with these type guns. Thanks again.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Just take your time and travel this little highway at whatever speed that makes you comfortable. I have no dog in the round-bottom rifling game. Haven't owned one in 50+ years and mine always clean up quick and easy. Some shooters love them, I've just never bothered. I started off when there were a lot fewer choices to pick from and we made our share of sillynesses along the way as we just tried stuff out to see what worked best. This sort of accumulated wisdom would have been a blessing while we were blowing down barrels, pouring directly from powder horns and other goofy stuff...just cause they did it on TV! Just buy what you can afford and we'll try to get you going with whatever advise you need. Remember to have fun! :thumbsup:

 

[hanshi]

Swamped barrels have now been well covered in the posts by guys who know their stuff. All I have to offer is that a swamped barrel balances divinely and feels lighter than a straight barrel would. They do look really nice, too. I have both straight and swamped barrels and for a hunting rifle or an "everything" rifle; a swamped barrel is vastly superior to anything else. I like round bottom rifling and have two swamped barrels with this type rifling. The real advantage of radius rifling is that they do clean much more easily and quickly than square rifling.

 

[LaneC]

Thanks for all of the instructions and comments. This is great and exactly what I hoped to find by talking with well informed Gents like yourselves. Thanks again and I am still listening.