doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Broken rib extension?

Hello all, I have an 1880's damascus hammer gun with a broken rib extension. The top part that recesses into the receiver is all there, but it broke off underneath where it engages with the cross bolt. Can a fabricated replacement be repaired/welded without loosening the rib solder nearby? Thanks for your input.

Mark,
Most of them that I've seen were brazed in with a high temp silver braze or similar, as part of the barrel breach assembly process.

I don't know if they are integral to the lower lump or not. I suspect they are a separate piece, but every gun is likely different. I recall one that looks like it was added after the barrel breach and top rib stub was assembled/brazed, because there's a slot machined to accept it thru the upper stub rib.

So, the short answer is it will soften the rib solder. The thing is, it can be likely be done without disassembling the ribs, by wiring the barrels and ribs in place, then heating to remove the rib extension (if a separate piece), then making a new one, brazing back in place and fitting it.

It's a lot of work and the cost will reflect that. The other issue is that this isn't within the average gunsmith's capability. So, the gun has to be worth a lot (either in money or sentiment) to justify it. I'd ask SKB (Steve Bertram) if he'd take it on. If not Kirk Merrington might.

I just recalled that Dewey Vicknair had a fixture to hold barrels and ribs in place. You might try Dewey.

Thank you very much Chuck. I'll drop Dewey a line. I'm tempted to try fixing it myself, but I don't want to ruin the gun. Here's what I'm dealing with. The gun locks up fine as is, but it would be nice to have the gun functioning as it was designed to.





Fyi, it's a Husqvarna 16ga mod. 44 back action hammer gun with 31" barrels. It was advertised as a Belgian gun, but Husqvarna 44 is stamped plain as day on the water table. Interestingly, 43 is stamped on the barrels with correct serial #, so it must be an early 44 with left over 43 barrels. It's quite rare (I've never seen another 16ga mod. 44, although I have seen a couple 12b 43's), and a fairly high grade gun in its time. It has gorgeous wood too. I don't have much into it, so it's worth it to me to have it fixed correctly. Any idea what damascus pattern this is? I don't quite recognize it.

Doesn't look like Damascus to me. I'm thinking laminated steel.

You might see about TIG welding a piece on there. If a good welder took his time and welded a little at a time, allowing it to cool between short welds, it would probably be fine. Way cheaper way to go if it can be done.

It looks like it was a straight piece sticking out, rather than a loop like a LC Smith or Fox.

Just saw the crossbolt. Greener style?

It looks like a piece of cake for a good welder since it doesn't have to be designed to be a load carrying part. The underlug should be quite sufficient for keeping the gun closed.

It looks to me as though the single under bite and Greener cross bolt was not sufficient to keep the old gal tight in the past. I see it has had the hinge pin replaced too. I myself would pass on this job. Kind of the shotgun equivalent of welding on the front ring on a mauser in my mind. Too close to too many irreplaceable bits (eyes, etc) for my comfort level. Not to say it can not be fixed, it can, but it is not the type of work I like to assume the liability for.

I sent the gun off to Keith Kearcher, and he did a fantastic job fixing the broken extension, resurfacing the underlug, squaring the barrels to the breech face and bringing it back on face. It is tight and ready to go now. Price was reasonable also. Unfortunately the bores are pitted, so I'll probably have to go the briley sub-gauge tube route since I can't afford $4k for relining, but that's a separate issue. Here are a few pics:

Any idea what damascus pattern this is?

Must have missed this before - it's a Bernard pattern
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dfg2hmx7_108gj6wxpcf