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on barrel making.
Early barrels were either folded over a mandrel along the length of the barrel and then rounded OR several pieces of equal length iron were wrapped in helical fashion over the mandrel until the length was made. The barrel was then bored and then grounded. Turning it concentric on a lathe made grinding the flats easier later.
Forging dies allowed for forging of flats and depends how well it is executed by the craftsmen involved. This would simplify the barrel making process.
Making a barrel from a solid, octagon (or round) bar stock is possible but boring it concentric isn't. The bore can be off but this can be easily fixed when the barrel is turned round on a lathe. We see this even when modern barrels are made. Of couse, once the barrel is shortened and then turned on a lathe, it is concentric. It then has to be milled for flats. I did this with the half-round barrel, flintlock style 10/22 I made.
Returning to the cylinder. It's round when see from the top (chamber end).
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