Thread: Old style gunsmithing

Originally Posted by SixtyTen

I came across this many years ago and was amazed at what I was watching. I like it that the bore size is just whatever it comes out as, and the bullet mold would be made by the gunsmith to match that rifle.
The way they forge the barrel is very interesting and the rifling machine is amazing.

I liked the narrator's comment, "The muzzle end is filed even so that the hole is centered."

Useful data on barrel proof loads: FOUR times the usual black powder charge with a normal patched ball. Seems a severe test, modern proof loads are to about 1.3x or 1.5x the usual pressure. Not sure the difference in actual pressure between 1X vs 4X BP charges.

Here is a 2014 tribute to Wallace Gusler, the gunsmith featured. Makes you lust for your own long rifle. His first film certainly must have helped inspire the over 1500 long rifle makers in the USA today.



He is on youtube now, some 33 detailed videos with him talking through his work in detail, his YouTube channel is called
The Grumpy Gunsmith of Williamsburg

Here is his Grumpy Gunsmith video #31, something to do with butts.