Springfield 1871 crack

[Wartburg 1.3 lover]

Hello, I recently bought this Springfield Model 1871 Rolling block. The condition is very nice. The barrel is 100% mint - no damage, no rust it's like a mirror.
While looking at it and enjoying it's condition I found this line that I can't tell if it's a crack or not. I disassembled and cleaned the rifle replacing the old dried out factory lube with new. Given my many years of firearms collecting experience I can firmly state that this rifle has never produced a shot. There are no signs of wear anywhere on the mechanism and springs, and therefore this crack-like line cannot have been the result of a shot.

Is it possible that this crack-line was caused by the aging of the metal?

I'm sure there's no way to guarantee from pictures if the rifle will explode when fired, but at least does anyone have experience with such figures on old rifles?

Тhere is no indentation in that line and when I go through it with a needle the sharp part doesn't stick there but it still bothers me.

 

[hawg]

Odd place for a crack to start. Probably just a casting flaw.

 

[Coyote3855]

I consider myself relatively well informed on historic firearms, but this is new to me. Thank you for your post. Given your description of the rifle, I assume it would be safe to fire. I agree that the "crack" is not a concern for the stability of the firearm.

 

[jdsingleshot]

Would not worry me.

But, unrelated, I'm curious what that goobery gob on the screw in the first picture is?

 

[Wartburg 1.3 lover]

Would not worry me.

But, unrelated, I'm curious what that goobery gob on the screw in the first picture is?

It's gun lube that I put in the thread of the screw to make it easier for me the next time I unscrew it. it looks like i put a little more than needed and it pushed to the surface.

 

[GRIZ22]

If you're really concerned you can get the receiver magnafluxed. There are chemicals available so you can do it yourself but they're expensive just to do it one time.

I don't think what you show is a crack as others have said.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

If it really concerns you have a dye penetrate test done to verify it's really a crack. Shouldn't be expensive to have it done and it will remove the doubt. Did some conehead weld that screw to the receiver? I see the post above...it's lube.

 

[PRD1]

It may be that the 'crack' is only a flaw in the surface of the original receiver forging, and not a safety issue - such flaws are often visible on the receivers of 1873 Winchesters and some others of the same vintage.. I suggest removing the foreend and checking to see whether the 'crack' extends across and through the receiver ring. If the receiver ring is cracked-through, the rifle should not be fired.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

 

[Patocazador]

Looks like a gouge to me .. like someone dragged it along a pointed object.
Doesn't look like a crack.

 

[Wartburg 1.3 lover]

I examined it with magnifying glasses and removed the wood under the barrel so that I could judge whether it went down deep. and it really looks like an extremely tiny crack that reaches almost the barrel in depth. it is so tiny that it cannot be seen with the naked eye

 

[Wartburg 1.3 lover]

It may be that the 'crack' is only a flaw in the surface of the original receiver forging, and not a safety issue - such flaws are often visible on the receivers of 1873 Winchesters and some others of the same vintage.. I suggest removing the foreend and checking to see whether the 'crack' extends across and through the receiver ring. If the receiver ring is cracked-through, the rifle should not be fired.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

Does not continue to the front bolt (the one on the block). there are no traces of welds, I just sprayed it with ballistol on the outside to preserve it and that's how it looks in the picture. Тhe surface is absolutely smooth and appears to be undamaged.

 

[silicosys4]

Note that older guns of that era are infamous for showing forging lines, sometimes very deep. I have a few older rifles from that era when mass forgings were a relatively new technology, and they show similar marks. Not saying your gun isn't cracked, but striated marks from the forging process are a thing with older rifles.

Google "Winchester forge marks" to see some examples. Winchesters are the most notorious, but I personally have seen them on rifles by other manufacturers. Some of them become quite deep through natural weathering, becoming noticeable to the touch and even deep enough to catch a fingernail.

Forum -

winchestercollector.org

 

[Dave T]

If you determine it is not a crack but a forging flaw as some have suggested, I would still recommend you shoot nothing but black powder in your 50-70 hand loads. The pressure peaks are measurably lower than even with what some call light smokeless loads.

Dave

 

[AlexanderA]

Looks like a surface blemish to me. But to be sure, put some light oil on it and then clean the surface thoroughly so that no oil can be seen. Then heat the area very gently. (A candle flame would suffice.) If it's a crack, more oil will come to the surface.

 

[Coyote3855]

Note that older guns of that era are infamous for showing forging lines, sometimes very deep. I have a few older rifles from that era when mass forgings were a relatively new technology, and they show similar marks. Not saying your gun isn't cracked, but striated marks from the forging process are a thing with older rifles.

Google "Winchester forge marks" to see some examples. Winchesters are the most notorious, but I personally have seen them on rifles by other manufacturers. Some of them become quite deep through natural weathering, becoming noticeable to the touch and even deep enough to catch a fingernail.

Forum -

winchestercollector.org

In 1981, the museum were I volunteer received a dozen Winchester 1894 carbines that were used by guards at the state penitentiary. Dates ranging from early 20th century to the 1950s. All of the earlier ones had those striations. I spent an inordinate amount of time trying to figure the source before someone smarter than me gave the forging answer. Wish you had been around then. You would have saved me frustration. We also have a medium frame Colt Lightning rifle with similar marks.

 

[Wartburg 1.3 lover]

Тhank you for your replies everyone! When I try the rifle I will write you about the results and if I survived.

 

[Wartburg 1.3 lover]

After unscrewing the barrel, it was found that it is a big crack and had to be welded. A piece of steel was taken to see the percentage of chemical elements in it to make a weld with the same kind of steel. Now all that was left was to recover the color case hardening which will be restored in the original way.

When buying historic firearms always look for such cracks before reloading cartridges and firing them! Just because a weapon looks unused and unfired is not enough to guarantee you that it will not explode when fired!

If someone tells you that if you shoot only with black powder it will not explode, then this is not true! Black powder produces higher pressures than certain smokeless powders!

This crack would not withstand a shot with any gunpowder if it wasn't welded.

These pictures show what it looks like after the weld and after the excess material has been removed from it. It is indistinguishable!

Тhere will be more pictures when it is ready with color case hardening.

 

[hawg]

The crack might have worsened but it would not have exploded.

 

[Wartburg 1.3 lover]

The crack might have worsened but it would not have exploded.

You're right, we can't guess what would have happened, but it's 100% sure she'll be safe now.

The crack was fingered on both the outside and the side of the barrel. If I had shot it and it had broken or enlarged it would have been irreparable and I would have lost the money I paid for this rifle. At least now I'm sure nothing will happen to her.

This repair was carried out by exceptional professionals and now it does not show that it has been welded. It turned out great.

 

[AlexanderA]

After unscrewing the barrel, it was found that it is a big crack and had to be welded. A piece of steel was taken to see the percentage of chemical elements in it to make a weld with the same kind of steel. Now all that was left was to recover the color case hardening which will be restored in the original way.

I'm impressed that you would go to such lengths to make the rifle shootable. If it was me, I would just relegate it to non-shooting status. It's a great display piece either way.

The amount spent to make the rifle shootable probably wouldn't be recovered on resale.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Sometimes it's about the journey rather than the destination.

 

[Acorn Mush]

Sometimes it's about the journey rather than the destination.

True, that.