doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Gunsmith/Barrel Question

I've always understood that the process of smoothing the surfaces on a set of a shotgun barrels was called "striking" (remember that I'm a novice, and have not seen this work performed). What sort of files, abrasives, etc. is used to perform such work; and what are the steps in the process? Thanks in advance for your comments. Tom

The few times I tried striking up it was done with single cut smooth mill files, using chalk on the file, moving the file after each stroke so that a clean part would touch the barrel. The move is one long motion from the chamber to the muzzle. For the next stroke move the file a little to present a clean part, move radially on the barrel so a new "ribbon" will be filed and so one till all the barrel is done. Filing is followed by abrasive paper. I did it on single barrels. Doubles would need purposely ground files for the bits next to the ribs. The file is held at 90 degrees to the barrel axis.

I have seen professional curved files and curved blocks for abrasive paper. Also lately I heard of soda blasting used as a pre filing rust and bluing removing process.

Think of it as planning , there are numerous techniques dependent on how much and why . It can be done using "strikers" or "floats" ,these are specially made files or rather shaped steel blocks some 8inches by 2inches in different widths ,with flat , rounded , or angled faces that have been file cut ,that is have a file edge cut onto them .
Coupled with various files of different profiles and a whole lot of practice and patience barrels were struck up smooth . They would them be smoothed or clothed up and eventually polished with decreasing grits of abrasive .
Draw filing is also employed usually using the front flat edge of a mill smooth file held against the barrel using the first finger [warped in a cloth]of one hand as a guide and using both hands moving along the barrel at 90 degrees to the tube constantly moving over the area and length dependent on whether you are simply taking out machine marks or shaping the barrel/rib profile .
It is hard work and hard on the hands and as said takes time and practice and constant checking by eye as well as by measurement to get right .

We use blocks with file edges cut into them to prepare barrels for rust bluing? Please explain.

I've run across a rare set of Krupp barrels for a graded Syracuse 12-bore; both tubes (28")have light pitting their full length. Don't know if they'd be worth the effort to clean up, but thought they could be a good learning experience. I checked Brownell's for barrel striking tools, but didn't see anything; perhaps searched under the wrong product name?

Tom, first I would make sure that there is enough "meat" in the wall thickness. You are probably talking at least .002-.005 and hopefully not more to remove.
There might be some pits that once you remove most, might be too deep to continue.

gunman,
The Germans use a "lauf hobel", which translates to "barrel plane", for this operation. This in basically a square file, with no "tail", and different cuts on the sides now. In the old days the gunsmiths made their own and usually had only one cutting face. I have one made by Emil Kerner that his grandson Helmut gave me.
Mike

The first step is to make sure all dents are completely raised, in order to reduce filing. I believe this is the process when referring to "Striking", as opposed to the later "Filing". If striking is properly done, there is a minimum of filing necessary. My goal has always been to strike so thoroughly that filing is unnecessary, to reduce tube thickness issues. This requires a selection of hammers, bore tools and wedges, and sheaths applied to the tube exterior, dependent on the hammer used. In my opinion, meticulous attention to detail is the key, with the results viewed under magnification to determine when the process is completed and ready for sanding. All this is applicable to dents that can be raised of rivels that can be lowered. Nicks get draw filed first.

Regards
Ken

Cloth on a block is always the first thing in cleaning off for black .Filing or striking is a last resort and should only be used sparingly to remove the worst marks or dressing after dent raising.

Gunman, what is the "cloth" used on cloth on a block ?