Tom-in-Pittsburgh
04-28-2020, 09:00 AM
OK, so like everybody else right now, I have too much time on my hands.
I have a so-called 1855 Artillery Rifle - somewhat of a frankenrifle with a mix of original and (mostly) repro components. It's the barrel that is a mystery to me. It is - I believe - a very early Jencso barrel. The underside is marked "11-84 SMJ&M 024" - so I'm assuming manufacture in November 1984 and a serial/barrel number of 024. I believe "SMJ" stands for Steven M. Jencso", but not sure about the "&M" at the end. Maybe one of you can tell me?
Anyway, the barrel has an eight-land, eight-groove bore and is very clean and new looking. I don't think it's possible that it's the original bore. Plus, it appears to me to be oversized. I'm not set up to do an accurate measurement, but my "normal" .575" - .578" Minies slip right in and are obviously too small. As best I can tell, the land diameter is at least .583" and may be larger than that.
What size pin gauges would I need to figure out the actual bore diameter? And do any of you know of a source (maybe someone here) who could rent/loan me the needed gauges? Once (if?) we get set free out here, I would like to be ready for a range session.
Thanks in advance and be safe in these uncertain times,
Tom
I have a so-called 1855 Artillery Rifle - somewhat of a frankenrifle with a mix of original and (mostly) repro components. It's the barrel that is a mystery to me. It is - I believe - a very early Jencso barrel. The underside is marked "11-84 SMJ&M 024" - so I'm assuming manufacture in November 1984 and a serial/barrel number of 024. I believe "SMJ" stands for Steven M. Jencso", but not sure about the "&M" at the end. Maybe one of you can tell me?
Anyway, the barrel has an eight-land, eight-groove bore and is very clean and new looking. I don't think it's possible that it's the original bore. Plus, it appears to me to be oversized. I'm not set up to do an accurate measurement, but my "normal" .575" - .578" Minies slip right in and are obviously too small. As best I can tell, the land diameter is at least .583" and may be larger than that.
What size pin gauges would I need to figure out the actual bore diameter? And do any of you know of a source (maybe someone here) who could rent/loan me the needed gauges? Once (if?) we get set free out here, I would like to be ready for a range session.
Thanks in advance and be safe in these uncertain times,
Tom