*** Photos Added *** Spencer Muzzel Crown Repair

[KEN S]

 I've noticed a slight nick in the muzzel of my 1865 original carbine.   I cleaned it up as best I can, but I'm wondering if anyone has bought a cleanup tool to do this at home.    
    I'd like to rent one but can't fine anything on the net.  
 any ideas?     If someone has one they want to rent, I'd be happy to pay for it's use....
  thanks...Ken

   location.  Cape Cod

[Two Flints]

[KEN S]

thanks two flints....good video....
     I think I'll give the brass thingy a try...Ken

[leverman]

I've used a round head brass screw and valve grinding compound in an electric drill to repair the crown on my 270, an old gunsmith called Robert Tilney, working from a tiny shop, in a provincial town called Beccles in Norfolk, England, told me this tip 30+ years ago, he would use a hand drill and spend hours on the crowns of his SMLE 303 service rifles he used for target shooting. He would slowly regrind the crown in both directions to remove any dings or burrs on the muzzle. As he won many prices, and was considered an exceptional shot, I followed his tip and have done this with good results on several rifles. deerwarden

[KEN S]

Hey leverman,  they sell a round brass grinding thing for a few bucks with the compound.  Think I'll give it a try. 
    great idea.    thanks...Ken

[leverman]

Ken, just did my Remmy 700 .223 as there was some slight corrosion on the end of the barrel, as I use a moderator here in the U.K. I faced up the end of the barrel, and just touched up the original crown/lands as above to ensure there were no burrs. Couldn't true the bore so did it by hand. Rifle just shot sub MOA at 100yds, so no issues at all, also fitted the replacement safety kit. Leverman 

[KEN S]

hey Leverman.... I like the UK.  went there last fall and was really impressed.   I called a gunsmith here on Cape Cod MA, and he said he'd have to take the barrel off,put it in a lathe, buy a ..50 cal insert. etc.  Sounded very expensive..so..
    I spent $80 and ordered a barrel crowing thingy and the 50 insert.   I'm going to do it myself.   I figured I may as well own the crown cutter for the same amount. 
    I'll let you know how it shoots...IF IT EVER STOPS SNOWING HERE IN NEW ENGLAND .  I don't mind having to spend all this time talking to my wife, but I found I'M LISTENING TOO.....    ouch....     HA>  Ken   

[Blair]

Ken,

Just a thought...
If the crown dent is on/in the "groove" of the bore, (Not the land), you may want the muzzle crowned on a lath?
Just a suggestion. A dent in the groove may require something more than the "ball" lapping?
My best,
Blair

[KEN S]

I think you're right Blaire.    that's why I ordered the $83 muzzle crown kit for .50 cal from Brownels.  I shoot it regularly, and want it to be the best it can be, without touching the history.  A muzzle crown will do that.   
    I get 5 inch groups at 50 yd, then a two inch or less group.   probably my eyes, but what the heck. It's winter here and gun money is not real money. I find a tight hold is necessary to counteract the hammer blow....
    If my wife reads this, I'll disavow any knowledge of this conversation.   I'll   let you know how I make out.
      Ken

[Two Flints]

Hi Two Flints,
 
Would you please post these if you think they're worthwhile. I can't post pictures. 

I recut the damaged crown of my 1865 Spencer.   This constitutes a minor repair/restoration  and will not affect the antique value of the gun.  (I did antique gun restoration and appraisal for years, and would not have even mentioned this repair on an appraisal)  Anyway... here is the post and thanks...Ken

Problem.  original Spencer carbine 1865 Burnside.  near perfect bore but rough crown.  I could have used the round headed  brass screw trick in a drill,  with valve grinding  compound, but the nick went into the lands and grooves.

Solution...recrown.

My local gunsmith said a few weeks, take the barrel off, lathe cut the crown. etc.  expensive too.$$

My solution...Brownells 3/4 inch 79 degree crown cutter (100 degrees  less 11 is 79, so it's an 11 degree cut) . . .  and a 50 caliber insert for same . . . perfect fit for the Spencer bore. .501 it was listed . . .  total $89. (please don't tell my wife!)

I bought a drill head attachment to screw on the 1/4 X 20 screw in the cutter.  1/4 x 20 female on one side, 1/4 inch to go in the drill on the other.

I actually had one on a round sanding disc, but you can get them locally for a couple of bucks.

I found I could  use the T handle from a thread cutter, tighten, then turn...but.....

I found this easier and neater than hand turning. 
Put the barrel between two pieces of wood with a 1/2 in hole cut in the center then cut in half..
lock the gun in the vise...tightly.
oil it up, stick the brass 50 cal end in the barrel and push lightly.  it cuts fast....if it chatters a little, oil and clean it up and go slow. Very little or no pressure.
       
In one minute, I have a new crown....I then cut a doughnut shape round piece of 300 grit and put it over the end.  run again a few seconds.
then the same with a 400 grit piece. Only a few seconds.

Perfect 11 degree target crown....all done in 10 minutes....
range report to follow, but it has to be better no matter what...

Ken

[Two Flints]

Hi Two Flints. 

OK...this is the last one....would you please add this to my thread and post the pictures.  someday I'll learn how to do it.

The Result of the Muzzle crown cutting.

50  yards.   
1865 original Spencer Burnside Carbine  1865 mfg. VG + condition. VG to Fine bore.
soft cast 350 grain Lyman RNFP, closely inspected for flaws. 
Hand lubed, SPG
33 grains weighed and 24 " drop tubed FFg GOEX
very little compression.
1 veggie wad,
2 newspaper wads on top of veggie wad seated with slight dowel pressure
Large Pistol MAGNUM primers.

held tight to shoulder to counter hammer blow

1st target.    5 shots,  1+1/2 inch group  (one called flyer)
2nd target.   4 shots   1+3/16 inch group  almost one hole. four in one hole one 1//4 inch off. 
Both targets had the group in the same place. (overlap the two and it's a 2 inch 9 shot group at 50 yards.)

These two targets were NOT cleaned between shots, and the second group was actually smaller.
It's the journey, not the destination   , , ,

enjoy . . .Ken