Barrel for muzzle loading firearm

• US 5,639,981 A
• Filed: 12/19/1995
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corporation (Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thompson Intellectual Properties, Ltd.
• Inventors: French, Kendrick L.
• Primary Examiner(s): ELDRED, JOHN W
• Application Number:
  US08/575,207
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 89/1.3, 89/14.05, 42/51, 42/76.01, 42/78, 42/74
• US Class Current: 89/1.3
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 21/18 Grooves-Rifling
• CPC Class Codes: F41C 9/08 Muzzle-loading smallarms; Smallarms with flintlock mechanisms; Accessories therefor

Abstract

A barrel for a muzzle loading firearm. The inner cylindrical surface which defines the bore of the barrel has a main portion which is provided with rifling and a muzzle portion which is integral with the main portion which extends from the main portion to the muzzle opening. The muzzle potion of the inner cylindrical surface has a diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the main portion of the inner cylindrical surface. The barrel of the present invention is made by drilling a cylindrical bore along a longitudinal axis of a solid barrel stock and forming rifling along the inner cylindrical surface which defines the bore with the use of a traditional rifling tool. A counterboring tool is then inserted to the muzzle opening to enlarge the muzzle end of the bore to form the muzzle portion of the inner cylindrical surface.

Claims

1. A muzzle loading firearm comprising a stock, a firing mechanism, and a barrel, said barrel having an inner cylindrical surface which defines a longitudinal bore and a muzzle opening to the bore at one end of the barrel, said inner cylindrical surface comprising:

(a) a main portion which has rifling; and

(b) a smooth muzzle portion which is integral with said main portion and which extends from said main portion to said muzzle opening, the muzzle portion of said inner cylindrical surface having a larger inner diameter than the inner diameter of said main portion and having a length which is from 3/8" to 1".

2. A muzzle loading firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein said rifling comprises a plurality of spaced grooves which extend helically along the length of the main portion of said inner cylindrical surface and wherein the inner diameter of the muzzle portion of said inner cylindrical surface is substantially greater than the inner diameter of said inner cylindrical surface at the grooves.

3. A muzzle loading firearm as recited in claim 1, wherein said inner cylindrical surface further comprises a transition portion between said main portion and said muzzle portion, said transition portion having an inner diameter which is equal to the inner diameter of said muzzle portion at the point where said transition portion joins said muzzle portion, the inner diameter of said transition portion gradually increasing from said muzzle portion to said main portion to an inner diameter which is equal to the inner diameter of the main portion at said grooves at the point where said transition portion joins said main portion.