Anvil 106: Whitneyville-Kennedy lever action rebarrel

Published on November 13, 2021
Duration: 83:50

This video details the complex process of rebarreling a damaged Whitneyville-Kennedy lever action rifle with a new octagon barrel. It covers extensive metal and woodwork modifications, including inletting the forend, glass bedding, and repairing internal components like the hammer and sear. The project highlights the challenges of restoring antique firearms with compromised parts and the meticulous gunsmithing required to bring them back to functional condition.

Quick Summary

Rebarreling a Whitneyville-Kennedy lever action rifle with an octagon barrel involves modifying the receiver's nose cap to fit the new profile, inletting the wooden forend, and glass bedding the assembly for structural integrity. Common repairs include fixing the firing pin and restoring the hammer/sear interface.

Chapters

  1. 00:05Introduction: The Whitneyville-Kennedy Project
  2. 02:02Project Planning and Disassembly
  3. 04:05Barrel Removal Techniques and Pitfalls
  4. 06:21Torn Down: Assessing Damage and Challenges
  5. 07:18Fitting an Octagon Barrel to a Round Receiver
  6. 08:23Project Phases: Conservation, Refurbishment, Reassembly
  7. 09:27The Replacement Octagon Barrel
  8. 10:12Barrel Timing and Fitment
  9. 11:45Modifying the Forend for the Octagon Barrel
  10. 13:16Using Lipstick for Inletting Transfer
  11. 14:39Inletting the Forend to the Barrel
  12. 16:01Justifying Forend Modifications
  13. 17:19Refining the Forend Fit
  14. 18:49Achieving a Symmetrical Octagon Profile
  15. 20:45Torquing the Barrel and Alignment Checks
  16. 23:23Match Marking for Reassembly
  17. 24:05Forend Reassembly and Reinforcement
  18. 25:58Glass Bedding the Forend and Receiver
  19. 34:49Hammer and Sear Interface Repair
  20. 39:00Stoning the Sear Nose to 90 Degrees
  21. 43:26Squaring Up the Hammer and Trigger Components
  22. 44:25Determining the Correct Hammer Notch Angle
  23. 46:29Testing the Trigger Hold Without Springs
  24. 47:41Barrel Channel Conversion to Octagon
  25. 49:15Alternative Epoxy Solutions and Acraglas
  26. 50:03Refining the Stock with a File
  27. 52:07Cleaning Up Glass Bedding Excess
  28. 53:31Repurposing a Bent Magazine Tube as a Cutter
  29. 57:03Reassembly: Bolt and Firing Pin Assembly
  30. 59:11Ejector and Bolt Head Functionality
  31. 61:40Securing the Bolt Assembly
  32. 64:08Locking Mechanism and Field Strip Screws
  33. 67:17Loading Gate and Feeding System Assembly
  34. 71:14Lifter and Carrier Assembly
  35. 73:35Hammer and Spring Installation
  36. 75:57Completing the Rear End Assembly
  37. 77:28Sights Installation
  38. 79:11Front End Assembly and Magazine Tube
  39. 80:37Final Assembly Steps
  40. 81:36Loading Mechanism and Operation
  41. 82:21Post-Assembly Issues and Further Work
  42. 83:19Conclusion: A Restored Whitneyville Kennedy

Frequently Asked Questions

How is an octagon barrel fitted to a rifle receiver originally designed for a round barrel?

Fitting an octagon barrel to a round receiver involves modifying the receiver's nose cap to match the octagon's profile. This is feasible if the bore's circular cross-section fits within the octagon's geometry, allowing the nose cap to be inletted accordingly.

What are common failure points in Whitneyville-Kennedy rifles, and how are they addressed?

Common issues include compromised firing pins, often breaking at the front edge, and damaged mainsprings. Repairs involve fabricating new firing pins with improved stress risers and repairing or replacing mainsprings.

What is the process for glass bedding a rifle forend?

Glass bedding involves applying a mixture of Acraglas and hardener to the wood forend and receiver/barrel interface after applying mold release. The parts are then clamped and allowed to cure, creating a strong, custom fit that enhances stability.

How is the sear nose and full cock notch properly repaired on a lever action rifle hammer?

Repairing the sear nose and full cock notch involves careful stoning to ensure the correct engagement angle and tangent relationship with the hammer. This process must account for the hammer's rotation to maintain proper function.

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