Originally Posted by edgarspencer
We have seen recent examples, and recent discussion on barrels touching at the muzzle. I remember several owners stating that their barrels were not touching and were known to be original length.
Conversely, barrels which touch is not definitive proof that barrels were NOT cut. This I know first hand as I handled a set of Titanic Barrels, known to have left the factory at 30", cut to 28", still touching, and keels still plainly visible. There is no termination line. Lack of a definite termination is occasionally seen on Uncut Vulcan barrels, but I have never seen it missing on Titanic barrels of original length. As one would expect, a 30" gun, often full choked in one, if not both barrels, and then cut to 28" will still have a measurable choke constriction. Believe this or don't: I have a set of barrels, NOW 24", which WERE 30", and they touch at the muzzle!
I don't think anyone can emphatically state that the keels were of a specific length. They could be an inch long, they could be 2-3" long. One thing about barrel construction I'm pretty sure of, is that the keels extended beyond the muzzle, at any random length, and were trimmed flush is the finishing operation. If they are NOT visible, it's an almost sure bet the barrels have been cut.
Lead and steel oxidize entirely differently, so I wouldn't place much in the idea they don't show because they've been sitting around.
It is my opinion (and yours may differ) that the keels serve no useful purpose AFTER the barrels have been completed. The solder bond to barrel, to the other barrel, to the keel, and to the rib isn't very likely to be any stronger because the random piece of steel used to fill the void and keep everything in place when it's wire bound and soldered.
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