Question for advanced members.

[jerrywh]

In the photo below, How do you think the breach was formed? Was this a silver soldered on overlay and then sculped or was it sculpted down from the barrel forging without an overlay? I would like some feedback from Sam Alfano, Mike Dubber or Sam welch as well as others please.

 

[SamW]

I can only guess...I would think it was sculpted from the barrel steel but the smooth area on the leading edge sure looks like soldered on. Is there a breech plug?

 

[dcurrie911]

The patina looks different to me, thereby implying an overlay.

Dan

 

[mitch]

hard to say from just the one photo, especially with it in the stock...

 

[SamW]

Jerry, could that be an extension of the breech plug, not actually attached to the barrel?

 

[silvermon]

The patina looks different to me, thereby implying an overlay.

Dan

I noticed the small amount of pits along the recessed edge and thought the same thing. A silver solder with zinc in it can produce pits like that over time; depending on the amount of handling.