1873 Barrel Relining Project with Pictures!

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rbertalotto

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I went out to the shop and stripped the 1873 down to receiver and barrel.

Need to remove the barrel to put it into the lathe to bore it out. I was extremely concerned about removing a barrel from a 128 year old gun. But I put the barrel into the vise, attached the receiver wrench and with about 20 pounds of force the barrel simply popped right off! NICE!

I also received my Cody Museum letter. It's posted on the web site.

You can follow the whole project if you like on my web site......complete with pictures!


www.rvbprecision.com
 
You haven't mentioned it yet so I will ask . You are aware that there is a breech end to the liner ?
 
Awesome. I have a couple old 94s that likely need this type of work when I scrape up the dough and desire. That is a beautiful rifle.
 
I did my '73 as well. I get pooh-poohed from time to time about the level of alteration but what the hey, it looks the part of a beater but drills that .32 round.

The "too bad you ruined (ruined, really?) the collector value" gets old but the accuracy more than makes up for it.
 
Very nice. I'm about to embark on a restoration of a Stevens Favorite and I'm considering relining the original barrel. I like your PVC collar idea for holding the barrel.
 
I did my '73 as well. I get pooh-poohed from time to time about the level of alteration but what the hey, it looks the part of a beater but drills that .32 round.

The "too bad you ruined (ruined, really?) the collector value" gets old but the accuracy more than makes up for it.
Click to expand...

I get a bit sick of the collector's opinions on some of this stuff. I've read that it's sacrilage to even oil the wood on an antique oil finish stock. Yet proper upkeep of ANY oiled wood finish calls for an annual feeder coat to maintain the life of the item. Seems that some collectors have lost sight of the simple fact that old furniture or firearms need ongoing maintanence which calls for "ruining" what they often feel is the hallmark look of a true "antique". The only reason so many antiques look dull and lifeless is simply from neglect. It's not a pretty look either.

This pertains to relining a barrel every bit as much. Firearms are kinetic sculptures. If they can't fullfil their original task then they are oddly shaped paper weights. Relining a barrel of an old gun isn't "ruining it". It's simply providing a proper upkeep or reversing some aspects of previous neglect. Performing such a task to restore it to proper shooting ability to my mind is simply part of the life long ongoing upkeep of an original old classic.... much like these same collectors would not mind a proper hip replacement or coronary bypass if it'll keep THEM in the game a little longer. "But... you're not STOCK anymore!"... :D
 
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