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Modern CNC allows for really wacky shapes to be punched out rapidly, but the basic S&W DA revolver design is 120 years old, and each milling or lathe operation was thoughtfully considered because you couldn't jump back and forth between operations.

So this got me thinking about the classic tapered 'pencil' style barrel found on the non-heavy Model 10 or a 1917. For the most part, the shape looks like you would get it done on the lathe, then mill a flat spot for the ejector rod. EXCEPT, the ejector rod latch is hanging off the bottom of the barrel in the way? And of course the front sight seems to be machined on as well.

Were these barrels simply turned then the latch and front sight brazed on? Are they one piece, but there is a reasonably simple mill set-up that rotates the barrel to produce lathe-like results without lopping off the ejector latch?

Thanks!
 
Modern CNC allows for really wacky shapes to be punched out rapidly, but the basic S&W DA revolver design is 120 years old, and each milling or lathe operation was thoughtfully considered because you couldn't jump back and forth between operations.

So this got me thinking about the classic tapered 'pencil' style barrel found on the non-heavy Model 10 or a 1917. For the most part, the shape looks like you would get it done on the lathe, then mill a flat spot for the ejector rod. EXCEPT, the ejector rod latch is hanging off the bottom of the barrel in the way? And of course the front sight seems to be machined on as well.

Were these barrels simply turned then the latch and front sight brazed on? Are they one piece, but there is a reasonably simple mill set-up that rotates the barrel to produce lathe-like results without lopping off the ejector latch?

Thanks!
Forged to shape?
 
Forged to shape?
That would require something like net forging, which they didn't have a century ago.

None of those explain how you end up with something that is sticking out of the side of what you turned.

See how the extractor latch is sticking down in the way of what otherwise appears to be a turned barrel?


3-2-12-021.jpg_thumbnail0.jpg

wesson-model-barrel-close-up-acp-revolver-48011703.jpg
 

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