doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Can this be fixed?

Thanks for the response, Chuck. My college is getting more deeply into the NDE/NDI world and I'm always trying to think of applications. But I suspect that shotgun barrels (especially Damanscus) are as much art as science, and NDE would only work to give you a "no go" if obvious cracking was discovered. I know gunsmiths have used simple tests like liquid penetrants to check recievers,slides, etc. for cracking--do you know of other applications that are used in the gunsmith shops?

I'm no help at all. I value the board for generous considerations provided by those who are more knowledgeable and experienced. But my life with aircraft, scuba and parachutes makes me think of myself as a risk-taker. I wouldn't risk it.

If you really love the gun and want to spend the money you could always have Teague do liners. http://www.teaguechokes.co.uk/barrel_restoration.html I guess that does not answer your question, but it is always an option.

Take care,

Mike

I'd Teague or sub-gage it.

You'd be above the region of 20 to 25 ksi worst-loaction hoop stresses, widely-observed in vintage bbls. (These stresses are consistent with specific "shoot/do not shoot" opinions posted by Oscar, DT, and other experts.)

Based on your measurements and pressure curves published by Bell (DGJ) and Butler ("The American Shotgun", heavy BP loads (3 3/4 - 1 1/4, Bell) would create ~ 32 ksi at 6" and ~ 38 ksi at 9".


Lighter loads ( 3 - 1 1/8, FFg, Butler) still create ~ 19 ksi and ~ 26 ksi at the same locations. The latter is at or above the very high end of the envelope. (These are 12 ga pressures but geometrically-similar 16 ga loads should be close.) A LIGHT BP load (the 16 ga equivalent of 2 3/4 - 1 oz in a 12 ga, using FFg (no finer) should produce a bit less pressure, but I have no tested data.

With pitting, and the dent (even removed), I'd use some form of stress-containing liners.

Mike,
I'm not aware of widespread use of NDI methods in gunsmithing shops. There are probably many reasons, but most probably center around convenient availability of the process and economics.

Airplane culture has the NDI process applied to most things before any overhaul work is done. This eliminates bad parts before much labor is put into them. Restoration of old guns, especially guns notorious for cracking frames like the Flues, might benefit with a NDI prior to beginning restoration. Some will probably argue that it's not necessary since the failures of guns is fairly low, but then so is failures or crack findings in airplane parts.

I have used a couple of NDI places around my area for airplane parts and car parts over the years. They usually have a minimum charge for a simple one part inspection. That charge seems to have been about $45 quite a number of years ago. I'm guessing it's close to $100 nowadays.

Thanks, Chuck; that's interesting!
Failures of gun parts ARE fairly low, but certain ones, as we all know from experience and following this forum, can be devastating in various degrees and ways. And with older, rarer, more valuable guns I would think $100 for some insurance that you aren't going to lose some hide/sight/fingers plus ruining a valuable, scarce gun would be no big deal.
For example, I'd sure not like to see the Manufrance Ideal that is the subject of this thread get wrecked. It isn't super-super valuable (is it?), but it is a unique design with many followers that will probably never be made again. It would be a damn shame to ruin it and I'm glad Battle is exercising due diligence.

Thanks Mike,
No......its not super expensive. But it is my favorite design! Small bore, lite weight, round action with retractable sling! How can you not fall for this little Frenchy?

Battle;
Went back & looked & perhaps am missing it, but one thing I couldn't find is, Where is the location of this dent? This would in my opinion have a large bearing upon it's possible repair.
Miller

Hi Miller,
I'm at work but me thinks its half way, 'bout 14".
Cheers,