VICKERS 8" HOWITZER NEW THREAD

Kewl rifling. Can you tell us how you did it?

I'm afraid i do not know and the modeller is keeping it close to his chest.. sorry

Given all the indubitable skills and talent on this forum; any ideas on how one would achieve that rifling??>>

Homemade broach very similar to a spline broach would be a possibility. I think taking it out with a single cutter for each groove would see the cut wandering off over such a length.

J

Bob Gould

Is the rifling straight or has he imparted a slight twist in it?

i'm pretty sure it has a twist

A spline broach used on a rifling bench would be the likely method. The rifling bench is a long table with workholding features at one end and a helical cam (helix geometry matching the rifling twist) to mount and guide the broach at the other.

There will be a twist in the rifling - the purpose of the rifling is to get the projectile to spin during flight, which stabilises it.

I'm not any sort of gun expert - the above is the sum of my expertise on rifling.

JD

hi Bob,

GIYF

There are several methods, listed on this page.

Neil

"GIYF" i had to google that! thank you for info. Question: What do frogs do?Answer: RIVET, RIVET, RIVET!!

It looks like it's going to be a super model.

One slight worry: in the Firearms Act 1968 (as amended) "...the expression “firearm” means a lethal barrelled weapon of any description from which any shot, bullet or other missile can be discharged..."

That's very wide; taking it to the point of absurdity, it might cover a tube which happened to have one end closed off and a small hole through the side, because if you were so minded, you could stuff powder and ball down it and detonate the powder via the hole. The Act doesn't say "commercially available shot, bullet or other missile".

If the model is realistic to the extent that it is not de-activated in any way, maybe you should have a firearms certificate for it. I appreciate that you will have no live ammunition, and no ammo will be commercially available, but the Act says you commit an offence if you manufacture or possess a firearm, whether or not you have ammo to go with it. Indeed, it would not be too difficult to make up miniature shells from items readily available like the contents of fireworks, starting pistol blanks, lead and brass (though doing so would constitute a separate offence).

Andy.

Don't worry, he's already taken care of all of that stuff.

Focus on the lovely workmanship

Can't help feeling a little uncomfortable about this and the original thread.Howitzer wind up perpetuated? Well, like this possibly. Or am I just being an old cynic?

Rik

No need for the brown trousers, Jason. As I said, I was taking things to the point of absurdity, and perhaps I shouldn't have done.

Making something for a purpose which is entirely unconnected with firearms, but which could by some nefarious person be used as an improvised gun, wouldn't count. There would have to be an intent to make a firearm. I only mentioned the Firearms Act because Bob's model has an obvious connection with firearms, and thus (though a miniature of something much larger) might itself count as a firearm. Ady1 says Bob has that covered, so that's OK.

I speak not as someone opposed to firearms (in the right hands, of course). I own a couple of legal ones myself, though the populace may rest assured that my single shot .22 target rifles weighing 15lbs each are not the weapons of choice for a bank robber or mass murderer.

Andy

Andy ..that was all understood.. but the absurdity of uk( or EU law should not be underestimated...the dangerous weapons act (why the checkout sounds an alarm when you buy razor blades )..says "weapon" or something that can be made into a weapon....

....ask me about the use of kitchen roll tubes and cling film one day.......

.And what are the authorities going to make of the hand gun printed on a 3d printer...... Strange times indeed

We are not going there, period.

Thank you for your comments. I am very well rehearsed in the UK firearms laws and can assure you this model has is being made in complience with them.

I think we only have to look at Bob's photos and the commentaries on them to see this is a non-issue.

It WOULD be useful if a senior police officer were to produce a short article clarifying the law and giving guidance to modellers on what needs a licence and what should be done to make a potential firearm non-viable. I doubt that will happen.

In the meantime I suggest anyone modelling a gun has either a hole hidden in the underside of the barrel near the breech or plugs the barrel with a driven in hardened plug with the ends turned as two offset cones to stop it being drilled out.

Joey