Proofing of a Musket Barrel

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pud
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Proofing of a Musket Barrel

Post by pud » Sun Nov 19, 2006 7:55 pm

Source: H.L. Blackmore. British Military Firearms, 1650 to 1850. London, 1961.

**The quotation to follow was originally made by John Marshall who was the Clerk and Paymaster of the Ordinance of Birmingham in 1824. His words were captured at a Court of Enquiry;

"The Barrels were viewed before proof to see that they appeared good in every respect and correct as to the dimensions, in order that, should any be evidently defective, the time, and also the expense of the powder etc. expended in proving them might be saved - The Examination they underwent was as follows: The breach pin was screwed out, and an iron plug, which was attached to the end of an iron rod of the calibre of the musquet, forced down from one end of the bore to the other - the loops were gauged and together with the site, tried with a hammer to see whether they were brased on properly - the bayonet socket gauge was put on the muzzle - if they appeared good, they were marked and sent to the proof house for proof - they were then proved and afterwards allowed to lie for forty-eight hours, in which time any flaws in the metal would be visible - if found correct in every particular, they had the proof mark affixed to them, and also the viewers mark - The next inspection of barrel was by the finished viewer; to whom they were brought by themselves in a burnished state; but, if the barrel was to be browned it was only in a smooth'd state - if the barrel was found perfect in every respect it was marked by the finished viewer on the breech pin."

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