Thread: Anyone in Victoria who can help out with some boring and how much do you want?

Shouldn't be difficult to do.
You might want to check with the police first about what constitutes a firearm (replica or not) to make sure you don't have to keep it in a safe or have it registered etc. I know the rules keep getting more restrictive here in SA about what you are and are not allowed to possess or make. It could be that the outside shape is fine, but it needs to be registered as soon as there is a bore present on a gun looking object.

Michael

Hi Michael, i'm glad that you thought it sounded like a reasonably straightforward little job to do to.

Unfortunately, i can't find too much info on historic non functioning imitations of black powder guns, particularly obscure ones like japanese matchlocks.

At the end of the day, its a non functioning imitation of a 16th century samurai pistol for which ammunition hasn't been around in over a century, that would be a nightmare to convert into something that would safely fire (and not blow half your hand off), to be used ONLY as a display item in my house to go with a collection of antique 16th to 19th century japanese furniture and sculpture. So i don't think there'd be too much of an issue, and in any case, i won't tell if you dont

So, is there anyone who'd like to give it a go? Name your price


Damien

I'd be inclined to bore out only the first inch or so from the muzzle. I've no idea about other states, but SAPOL would have a fit.

If you have no luck with the Melbourne crowd, I'd be happy to turn and bore your barrel. I'm near Bendigo. You could e-mail me the drawing of what you have in mind with dimensions and post the steel/metal you want to use, if you have it already. From the picture, it might be an idea to start with a piece of hexagonal bar (which I have here in some various sizes) or square for an octagonal finished end, and turn the barrel shape from there, leaving a hex /square bit at the nozzle end. Alternatively, it could be machined from round and then a hex or octagonal or whatever milled on the end on a rotary table or indexer. I'd then post the bit back to you.
We might talk by PM about a charge (if any) when I know what material and size.
Alternatively, you are welcome to come up for a visit and direct me in person on shape and finish. I'd still like to know dimenions and material inadvance though. (apart from the 180mm length and 12mm bore). To ensure no laws are broken, and to make the job of the very deep hole a little easier, we could drill it from both ends and leave a short bit of solid in the centre.... just an idea.
Sounds like an interesting little project I would like to help with.

I just had a look outside my shed, because I remembered having some drilling rod from the old gold mining days. It is already hollow all the way through (all 6 feet of it), but it turns out it is 16mm (5/8") internal diameter. The outside diameter is about 35mm. Just below that is a bit of hex bar which is 35mm across the flats.....
bars.jpg
Sorry about the crappy phone picture in the dark....

I also have a bit of 50mm square bar (for an octagonal final nozzle shape) and lots of round to do other nozzle shapes with.... in case you are stuck.

I don't know about Victoria but here in SA unless you are a licenced gunsmith keep it out of site, also the barrel will have to be pluged unless you have your H class, and then you will not be able to display it will have to be in a locked steel safe

Oh dear, did i say needed a gun barrel bored out? i meant i needed a sculptural iron or steel lamp base bored for wiring

Hi Damien,
this could be worth a read.

Phil
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/retriev...&status=active

Thanks for finding that PDF Phil - it was exactly the sort of thing that I was concerned about.

Michael

Originally Posted by Michael G

Thanks for finding that PDF Phil - it was exactly the sort of thing that I was concerned about.

Michael

Hi Michael,
I had the same concerns and the relevant authorities don't give a continental about our thoughts on intended use but it does seem doable.
Reminds me of the time I was asked to make a silencer for a gun. I refused on the grounds of that it is illegal only to find out this bloke was a cop testing me....phew!!!
Looks like a cool project Damien and I am sure Joe will see you right with the 'above board' side of things.

Phil

Its all a bit grey,
The cops in vic tell you if you have no real guns then don't bother.

If you own real ones then the copies need to be registered as well.

I had about 10 plastic models when the rules came in and took them down to the copshop and thats what they told me.
But some of them look real enough to me, pull the trigger and chambers spun.

If it looks like a duck its a duck, if it could even be reasonably mistaken for a duck its a duck.

So while it is without doubt a duck, as long as its an old duck it seems you are ok
http://www.police.vic.gov.au/retriev...&status=active

Now I think when they say manufactured before 1900, they mean the design, but I wouldnt know for sure.

Stuart

Originally Posted by Stustoys

Now I think when they say manufactured before 1900, they mean the design, but I wouldnt know for sure.

They mean actual manufacture date. Modern black powder weapons definitely need to be registered.

Great looking piece. How are you planning to do all the gold inlay?