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Joined: Jan 2006
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Sidelock
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Many thanks to all those involved, and especially the gun owner, with whom I have spoken and who graciously agrees to ship the barrels to me for an evaluation

The gun is a 1908 Reg. frame 16g No. 0 L.C. Smith with fluid steel barrels.
The shells were Cheddite for Herters "Select Field Dove and Quail" 1 oz. at 1165 fps, or the old 2 1/2 Dr. Eq. I have no pressure data for that load, but similar loads run about 9,000 psi.

The gun has been used regularly since purchased 2 years ago. The chambers have been measured at 2 3/4"; suggesting the chambers have been lengthened unless the barrels are so marked.

The blow-up occurred on the Sporting Clays course. The shooter did not perceive anything out-of-the-ordinary before or with the blow-up; other than the load report in his ear. No increased recoil. A piece/pieces of barrel struck the tree to the right but was not recovered. I failed to ask him if there was any chance that a 28g shell could have been in his vest, but will do so.

Images courtesy of Dr. Jim, which I believe show a ring bulge at the forcing cone suggesting an obstruction





The shell used at the blow-up. Clearly the Cheddite hulls have a separate plastic base wad



Fortunately, the shooter has the 6 hulls used immediately before the blow-up, and believes the base wad is present and intact in each.

He will send me the barrels, the 6 shells used before the blow-up, the blow-up hull, the remainder of the unfired shells, and the shell box.

Almost never do we have an opportunity to analyze an event like this, and can always learn something when we are able to do so. Stay tuned!

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Cant tell from a photo, but that chamber sure looks thin.

Thin, and rough.

Best,
Ted

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Sidelock
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I agree- looks like tool marks in the chamber area- were there other 16 gauge shell lengths in 1905 when this Field Grade Smith was mfg'd.?? I thought back then 2&9/16" for 16 gauge, 2 & 3/4" for 12 gauge in the L.C. Smith standards--

Two things, however- (1) neither the shooter or any by-standers were hurt (although I suspect it will take a lot of Pine-Sol to get the brown greasy stains off the gent's shoes- and (2) It was a Field grade, not a A-3-- RWTF


"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Best I can do with the image. Lots more to follow.


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Sidelock
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Good close detail- now I am wondering about the possible tool marks- as you would think they would follow the 360 degree I.D. of the barrel chamber- the grooved mark I can see looks to be maybe a fraction of a full 360 degree arc--


"The field is the touchstone of the man"..
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Sidelock
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what is the barrel wall thickness in front of the chambers of both barrels?


keep it simple and keep it safe...
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Sidelock
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The tool marks seem to suggest that the chambers were lengthened with a common hand drill with dull bits.

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Sidelock
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That let go at the breech.
Look at the shell.
Look how thin the chamber wall is at the rib.....one of the most important places we cannot measure wall thickness.
Look how compromised the chamber to rib solder is.....it is black and crumbly, looking just like the little chunk missing about half way down the chamber I bet that was there a while...little chunk or pit let go, eat solder from inside out and after some time.....boom.

I see no ring bulge, I see the back of the chamber letting go and peeling the barrel forward.....not saying for sure it was not obstructed but that was going to go....sooner not later.




Ms. Raven
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Sidelock
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Hunter Arms used a brazed hook and rib extension



and the wall adjacent to the (sorta) triangular hook piece and top rib extension piece was flat




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Sidelock
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The whole chamber is one giant ring bulge.

This looks for all the world like a 28/16 accident.


"The price of good shotgunnery is constant practice" - Fred Kimble
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