Continuing Education
 

What is the purpose of the hole in the bottom rib? I see it on some and not on others. Seems to be a way to introduce moisture, which is not a great thing.

Thanks,
Jack

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...pictureid=3064

Don't quote me on this, but I think it is usually a sign of a reblue. This would be to allow the water from boiling tanks to drain out.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Jack, I have seen these holes on a few guns. I have read explanations ranging from, 'a way to release moisture' to 'a vent for releasing heat and vapors during the various soldering processes'. I had a nice little 5-1/2 pound DeHaan .410 with a hole like this. I shook a 1/2 teaspoon+ of rust out of that hole! I injected a rust convertor into the hole to help seal up the metal. I really liked the gun, but no longer have it.

Jack, those are Damascus barrels, if I interpret the 'D' correctly. Have they been blued?

Good eye Mark. Gun is not too bad. Shootable. Blued GH Damascus. At the moment, just doing a thorough clean up. Has nice wood but very odd butt treatment to my way of thinking. Anyway, just another "itis" scratcher for the winter.

Brian: Makes sense for the re-blue. I wonder why the smith would not reseal afterwards, as all I can see is trouble to the future from that little hole.

Jack

ive been told that in some cases this hole was done at the factory.. but i have no proof to back it up....charlie

I don't believe it was ever done in Meridan, but I have seen it on Remingtons from the same era. When I see a weep hole drilled in the underrib of a SxS it generally means the barrels have been hot blued, which can result in rib seperation. Be careful or you'll wind up with a clunker. Is the blueing recent?

PM
 

Ed, Please check your PM. Cheers, Tom

Thanks all. Bluing is old (maybe to "disguise" damascus back in the day). Barrels chime when suspended from hook, so "assume" ribs were not compromised. Some pitting. Good BWT.

Jack

Had a look in the safes. Same hole in a Sterlingworth. If re-blued, it was a long time ago. Another completely blued VH has what appears to be evidence of the hole barely visible. So that one was sealed after being drilled. I cannot see any "latent" impression of a hole on other original blue barrels. Maybe Brad or other barrel guys may know for sure what that hole is all about.