Drilling a flash hole on an India made BP gun ?

SIGSHR · February 2, 2018, 03:37 PM

Has anyone done it ?

Scorch · February 2, 2018, 09:55 PM

If it came without a flash hole, then it was probably never meant to be fired. If it was never meant to be fired, then don't. I have seen a few rifles made in Spain, India, and various other places, that were made for display only. They were completely functional, but no knowing what steel they were made of.

Bill DeShivs · February 2, 2018, 10:03 PM

Bad idea.

**4V50 Gary** · February 4, 2018, 11:12 AM

I haven't, but I'd get it steel lined or a whole new steel barrel (and breechplug) first.

johnwilliamson062 · February 6, 2018, 11:07 AM

Quote:

If it came without a flash hole, then it was probably never meant to be fired. If it was never meant to be fired, then don't. I have seen a few rifles made in Spain, India, and various other places, that were made for display only. They were completely functional, but no knowing what steel they were made of.

I believe, without a flashhole there is very little in the way of import/export restrictions. There have, from time to time, been foreign companies that make functioning arms for other markets importing un-drilled reproduction black powder guns to the US. I looked at products from a Canadian company a while back.

OP may also be referring to re-drilling the flash hole oversize.

SIGSHR · February 7, 2018, 03:27 PM

A fellow reenactor told me if the breech plug is too long that can be a problem.
Mulling getting an India made Brown Bess to go along with my Charleville. The seller I was looking at says his guns have their vent holes drilled. Thanks for the advice.

johnwilliamson062 · February 7, 2018, 09:12 PM

If you don't mind me asking, where are you seeing the non-drilled rifles? I haven't seen mention of them for some time.

February 2, 2018, 03:37 PM	#1
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	Drilling a flash hole on an India made BP gun ? Has anyone done it ?

February 2, 2018, 09:55 PM	#2
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	If it came without a flash hole, then it was probably never meant to be fired. If it was never meant to be fired, then don't. I have seen a few rifles made in Spain, India, and various other places, that were made for display only. They were completely functional, but no knowing what steel they were made of. __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

February 2, 2018, 10:03 PM	#3
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	Bad idea. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

February 4, 2018, 11:12 AM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,840	I haven't, but I'd get it steel lined or a whole new steel barrel (and breechplug) first. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

February 7, 2018, 03:27 PM	#6
SIGSHR Senior Member Join Date: September 13, 2005 Posts: 4,700	A fellow reenactor told me if the breech plug is too long that can be a problem. Mulling getting an India made Brown Bess to go along with my Charleville. The seller I was looking at says his guns have their vent holes drilled. Thanks for the advice.

February 7, 2018, 09:12 PM	#7
johnwilliamson062 Junior member Join Date: May 16, 2008 Posts: 9,995	If you don't mind me asking, where are you seeing the non-drilled rifles? I haven't seen mention of them for some time.