How to Rejoin and Bring the gun "Back on Face" | British Side-by-Side Shotguns | MidwayUSA

Published on April 2, 2014
Duration: 37:05

This video details the 'rejoining' process for loose British side-by-side shotguns, specifically addressing the 'off the face' condition. It demonstrates how to diagnose looseness using smoke and then meticulously refit the barrels to the receiver by replacing the hinge pin with an oversized one. The process involves reaming the receiver, fitting a new pin, and carefully filing the barrel hook and breech face for a tight, precise fit.

Quick Summary

The 'off the face' condition in side-by-side shotguns means the barrels and receiver are loose. Rejoining fixes this by refitting parts, often involving replacing the hinge pin with a slightly larger one. This process requires careful diagnosis using smoke tests and precise filing to ensure a tight, reliable lockup.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: 'Off the Face' Condition Explained
  2. 00:25Assessing a Birmingham Hammer Gun & Smoke Test
  3. 02:46The Rejoining Strategy: Hinge Pin Replacement
  4. 05:56Removing & Measuring the Old Hinge Pin
  5. 09:52Reaming Receiver & Installing New Pin
  6. 12:41Fitting the Barrel Hook to the New Pin
  7. 18:14Fitting the Breech Face for Tight Lockup
  8. 21:06Final Finishing & Polishing

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'off the face' mean for a side-by-side shotgun?

The 'off the face' condition means the barrels and receiver of a side-by-side shotgun are no longer tightly fitted together. This results in looseness, affecting the gun's lockup and potentially its safety and reliability. It's a common issue with older firearms.

How can I check if my shotgun is 'off the face'?

A common diagnostic technique involves 'smoking' the barrel flats and breech face with a kerosene lamp. The soot transfer reveals areas of contact or wear. If there's significant gap or uneven contact, the gun is likely 'off the face' and requires attention.

What is the 'rejoining' process for shotguns?

Rejoining is a gunsmithing procedure to fix the 'off the face' condition. It aims to bring the barrels back into tight contact with the receiver. This is often achieved by replacing the hinge pin with a slightly larger, custom-fitted pin to tighten the action.

What tools are needed for shotgun rejoining?

Key tools for rejoining include a kerosene lamp for diagnosis, calipers for measurement, a reamer for the receiver hole, drill rod to make a new hinge pin, files (like small Swiss files) for fitting, and emery cloth for finishing.

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