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Geo
Yes that type of rectangular cut out is what I'm used to on "stock, action and forend only" sales. No point in even trying anything on something like that I'm sure, as you point out, sleeving or "howdah" only at that point.
Jeremy

Rockdoc

That's sort of my thinking at this point. I've nothing to lose in the long run provided I do the testing in a thorough manner and proof the gun. The more I ponder it the more I'm almost more interested in testing the accepted knowledge on such things from a "scientific" perspective than I am in saving damascus barrels from the grave.

Jeremy

P.S. What is the "Rockdoc" indicative of?

Steve
I'm certainly generally in that camp. To be clear though the approach, IF undertaken, would involve rigorous testing and measurement. The hypothesis tester in me might, admittedly, be getting the better of other aspects of my probably overly impaired brain.
Jeremy

Drew
That looks like brazing; that's really scaring me
Jeremy

The success story I know of was a crack and located much further forward. A snugly fit copper heat sink was placed in the bore assuring that the weld did not protrude inside the bore. It was then struck off and the inside honed. Risky and lots of work but possibly worth it under very certain circumstances.

I remember Oscar TIG welding a split damascus tube and you had to look very close befor you saw it. However it was only bout 4 inches from the muzzel.

bill

I seem to recall Miller telling us about a Twist barreled H Grade Lefever parts gun with a cracked barrel out beyond the forearm. He hammered the crack closed and fired the gun without the crack opening back up, without welding or brazing. I believe the test firing was done from the end of a string tied to the triggers. Of course, the barrel pressure drops considerably as you get closer to the muzzles.

But this particular gun, with a big hole right where your hand wraps around the barrels? No way. Either plug it and make it an unshootable wall hanger, or sleeve it. In this case, you would not be destroying or sleeving decent Damascus barrels. You would be destroying or sleeving junk Damascus barrels that are junk precisely because they have a big honking hole right where your fingers are at risk of severe injury.

Damascus barrels are rare and wonderful things, but these have seen their day. Sleeving and a total restoration of the gun would be the correct route if you want to sink a ton into an obscure old hammer gun. You could save the cut-offs for posterity. Get your pocketbook out if you do this. Be careful.
JR

Geo, it wouldn't be the Proof House that did that to your Boss but the Auction House. Lagopus.....

I'd been told the proof house did it. Whoever did it, they sure did a number on that one...Geo