To be clear, and keep this project in everyone's radar
I do not believe that anyone in this country has performed radiography on enough Pattern Welded barrels to be able to confidently interpret the findings, and to acquire that expertise would require viewing 100s of barrels. The images are not easy to read and film artifacts may simulate or mask defects.
And the interpreter must understand double gun barrel construction.
It was my hope that posts here and on other double gun related forums would encourage one of the principles in the MANY national NDT businesses, who has an interest in vintage guns, to devote resources to setting up a radiography service, and I believe (with time, marketing, and experience) it would be a commercial success. As always, the problem will be liability for the testing facility.
Here in Phoenix we have 3:
Western Technologies
http://www.wt-us.com/w/Talon Group
http://www.talontestlabs.com/index.htmlTEAM Industrial Services
http://www.teamindustrialservices.com/ I am also aware that APM Testing in Ithaca, New York has examined a few pattern welded barrels
http://www.apmtesting.com/testing-services/materials-tested/metal-testing.php SO -
please spread the word if you have a connection in the NDT industry!
