Stamping barrels

[Uthink Uknow]

Well, since Electric etching was mentioned I thought I’d show the way we mark our Beggs Tuners. This particular tuner is probably 10 years old. I’ve a Marks-A-Lot electric etcher. While this system is one method of marking metals, it’s a bit of a pain because in order to mark something you have to make a “stencil”. It’s great for doing numbers of items as the stencil can be used for marking time and again and can be saved to be used again another day. We still use the New Hermès etcher/engraver for marking barrels because you need to only change the fonts to change the message.
I just noticed something that can covered in another thread. Check out the crown of the barrel and tell me again that using a brush will damage the crown of a barrel. This .30BR barrel has about 2000 rounds through it.

 

[FrankG]

Maybe I'm naive, but why would you have a serial number on a barrel? After 500 rounds it wouldn't be the same condition barrel that I bought from you. Also it would mean that you've spent time and money amassing and keeping data that likely will never get used.

A good barrel maker s/n’s All of they’re barrels. We do and I know a couple of others that do as well. You should record the s/n that way if you have a problem with the barrel you can give the s/n to the maker. Our s/n I can tell you when we made it, most of the time I’ll know who rifled it, caliber, twist and most important what lot of steel the barrel came out of. Think about it....anything from a barrel failure or if your thinking your having premature wear etc....the s/n can help the barrel maker possibly to figure out what is going on. Knowing the s/n I know the heat lot of steel and in the past I’ve gone all the way back to the steel mill to work on a problem.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[FrankG]

Maybe I'm naive, but why would you have a serial number on a barrel? After 500 rounds it wouldn't be the same condition barrel that I bought from you. Also it would mean that you've spent time and money amassing and keeping data that likely will never get used.

If you need it you have it. I don’t feel it is that much more to record it and put it in your data book.

When the barrel is toast and you throw it away....get rid of the data or number. No need to track it then.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

Good advise, Frank. I’ve never recorded the serial number but what you say makes sense

 

[antelopedundee]

A good barrel maker s/n’s All of they’re barrels. We do and I know a couple of others that do as well. You should record the s/n that way if you have a problem with the barrel you can give the s/n to the maker. Our s/n I can tell you when we made it, most of the time I’ll know who rifled it, caliber, twist and most important what lot of steel the barrel came out of. Think about it....anything from a barrel failure or if your thinking your having premature wear etc....the s/n can help the barrel maker possibly to figure out what is going on. Knowing the s/n I know the heat lot of steel and in the past I’ve gone all the way back to the steel mill to work on a problem.

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

Those would be good reasons to have a S/N if you are going to put one on. The reason I posed the question is that I've not seen a barrel that had a S/N on it. Over the years I've had barrels from Shilen, Schneider, Krieger and Hart installed and don't recall seeing a S/N on any of them. I don't know if a smith would obliterate them, but I doubt he would. As far as marking them after the fact, I suppose there are a number of ways to do it.

 

[DickE]

Many barrels are serial numbered on the breech end, removed at time of chambereing. Early on, it might be a good idea for warranty, if needed.

 

[antelopedundee]

Many barrels are serial numbered on the breech end, removed at time of chambereing. Early on, it might be a good idea for warranty, if needed.

The last 2 I had done the smith returned about an inch from the muzzle end of each barrel. Mayhaps they are putting the S/N on the wrong end.

 

[FrankG]

Those would be good reasons to have a S/N if you are going to put one on. The reason I posed the question is that I've not seen a barrel that had a S/N on it. Over the years I've had barrels from Shilen, Schneider, Krieger and Hart installed and don't recall seeing a S/N on any of them. I don't know if a smith would obliterate them, but I doubt he would. As far as marking them after the fact, I suppose there are a number of ways to do it.

I know Obermeyer and Krieger s/n they’re barrels as well. Again the information is stamped on the breech end. What other makers do I don’t know off hand. At times I’ve seen numbers stamped on the barrels but usually only references bore and twist. I’ve usually seen no type of s/n.

 

[FrankG]

Those would be good reasons to have a S/N if you are going to put one on. The reason I posed the question is that I've not seen a barrel that had a S/N on it. Over the years I've had barrels from Shilen, Schneider, Krieger and Hart installed and don't recall seeing a S/N on any of them. I don't know if a smith would obliterate them, but I doubt he would. As far as marking them after the fact, I suppose there are a number of ways to do it.

When we make an ammunition test barrel sometimes it’s required and sometimes not but we always engrave along the length wise of the barrel....

Bartlein Barrels, s/n, drawing or p/n if there is one, date of manufacture, caliber, twist, type of steel.

Over the years I’ve received different requests for ....”oh do you still have a copy of the inspection report we can get again?” Or “What reamer was used?”, a copy of the material cert is requested. Those are the most common. By knowing the s/n I can look the information up easy.

 

[antelopedundee]

When we make an ammunition test barrel sometimes it’s required and sometimes not but we always engrave along the length wise of the barrel....

Bartlein Barrels, s/n, drawing or p/n if there is one, date of manufacture, caliber, twist, type of steel.

Over the years I’ve received different requests for ....”oh do you still have a copy of the inspection report we can get again?” Or “What reamer was used?”, a copy of the material cert is requested. Those are the most common. By knowing the s/n I can look the information up easy.

On test barrels it makes sense. Also appearance isn't as important. Do they normally use them until they're shot out or is there still some useful life left in them?

 

[FrankG]

On test barrels it makes sense. Also appearance isn't as important. Do they normally use them until they're shot out or is there still some useful life left in them?

They will use them till they are toast. The accuracy test barrels there is no useful life left in them.

The pressure and velocity test barrels usually from a accuracy stand point there is some life left in them but when measuring pressure and velocity the answer is no. If they have to maintain pressure and velocity spec's that as the throat starts to wear you will start to loose pressure and velocity. When that happens they have to pull the barrel from service but the accuracy is usually still doing o.k.

Remember on pressure and velocity measurements they are loading/holding to a given spec. Unlike a handloader who can bump the powder charge and seat the bullet out further they usually cannot. They have to maintain a spec. for the box ammo.

Later, Frank

 

[antelopedundee]

They will use them till they are toast. The accuracy test barrels there is no useful life left in them.

The pressure and velocity test barrels usually from a accuracy stand point there is some life left in them but when measuring pressure and velocity the answer is no. If they have to maintain pressure and velocity spec's that as the throat starts to wear you will start to loose pressure and velocity. When that happens they have to pull the barrel from service but the accuracy is usually still doing o.k.

Remember on pressure and velocity measurements they are loading/holding to a given spec. Unlike a handloader who can bump the powder charge and seat the bullet out further they usually cannot. They have to maintain a spec. for the box ammo.

Later, Frank

Thanks for the info.