Wall Thickness Gauge

[Kensal Rise]

One might get away with this philosophy in regard to American built guns like the Parker, Fox, L. C. Smith, etc.

Their barrels generally run a bit "thick" to begin with. Thus a hone or two might not be dangerous.

However, do NOT count on this approach with British or European guns. Especially those from the 19th or 20th centuries. Their barrels were often turned to a thinner overall wall thickness/contour to begin with. Thus, a bore gauge might suggest "OK" after honing, but the actual wall thickness could well be below safe limits.

It is also important to know where a barrel might be thin. Anything odd within the first 18 inches is vital to know about.

To paraphrase Gen. Douglas MacArthur, "there is no substitute for wall thickness."

[Drew Hause]

Nice of the Belgians to tell us exactly the bore and muzzle constriction, weight of the barrels at time of proof, and load (only 1897-1903) for which the gun was designed.

12g Manufacture Liegeoise likely proved with Mullerite for a service load of 2.70 grams = 41.67 grains = 3 Dr. Eq. (42 grains) "E.C." No. 1 or "Schultze" with 36 grams = 1 1/4 oz. shot.
Note bore 22 cm from breech was 18.2 mm = .716". After WWI bores were generally 18.4 = .724"; honed to .729" would only be a loss of .0025" of barrel wall IF perfectly concentric.
If originally .716" and honed to .730" would be loss of .007" barrel wall.

[Bill Anderson]

[QUOTE=John Campbell;205811]One might get away with this philosophy in regard to American built guns like the Parker, Fox, L. C. Smith, etc.

Their barrels generally run a bit "thick" to begin with. Thus a hone or two might not be dangerous.

However, do NOT count on this approach with British or European guns. Especially those from the 19th or 20th centuries. Their barrels were often turned to a thinner overall wall thickness/contour to begin with. Thus, a bore gauge might suggest "OK" after honing, but the actual wall thickness could well be below safe limits.

It is also important to know where a barrel might be thin. Anything odd within the first 18 inches is vital to know about.

To paraphrase Gen. Douglas MacArthur, "there is no substitute for wall thickness."[/QUOTE

Good point to remember, but for me personally, I have never even looked at a British gun, let alone have any desire to own one.

Bill