1816 Belgian Conversion

[gemmer]

How did they form the raised seat for the nipple on the breech? Always been curious about that.

[Richard Hill]

I don't know all the details, but it seems the breech plug was removed and some sort of fixture inserted into the breech end of the barrel. A big hammer and punch was used to upset a cone seat in the correct position, which was then drilled and tapped for the cone (nipple). Actually, the Belgians seldom, if ever, used this method for percussion conversions, though there may be some examples out there. They used a brazed-on lump of metal to make the cone seat, then drilled and tapped that.

[dbackfed]

Here's a tool that was used. This is from Schmidt's book.

[gemmer]

Here's a tool that was used. This is from Schmidt's book.

Thanks to you, both.

Duane