Completing the Hand-Forged Rifle Barrel

Features noted gun maker Mike Miller. Using only hand tools he files up the breech-plug cuts the threads then drills & taps the breech of the barrel tube to a proper fit. The octagon flats are rasped & filed to profile. Mike demonstrates crowning the barrel as well as coning the touchhole from inside the bore. Wallace Gusler says you have never made a barrel until it passes proof so Mike loads up a double charge with a double ball for a spectacular successful test. Of benefit to gun makers who may never forge a barrel is that Mike shows how you can profile a modern muzzle-loading barrel to obtain the correct dimensions for your rifle. The taper & flare varied from Pennsylvania through Virginia and the Carolinas.