Mystery barrel?

[carmy53]

I just picked up a barrel on the web thinking I was buying a toy but now that I have it in hand I'm wondering if this might be a fireable barrel.
The barrel feels heavy to me. A magnet sticks to it but doesn't seem to stick very strongly. Of course I'm only using a refrigerator magnet so that might be why.
There are no markings on the barrel. Some slight surface rust. No vent hole. A carriage came with it.
Can anybody identify this barrel and/or tell me if it might be fireable if I drilled a vent hole?
Stats on the barrel and some pics are below.
Barrel weight = 3.6 lbs.
Length = 10 1/8"
Bore = .50 diameter
Bore depth = 7 1/4"
Trunnion diameter = 3/8"
Trunnion tip to trunnion tip = 3 1/4"
Trunnion tip to barrel = 7/8" (or maybe 15/16")
Diameter of barrel at breech = 1 5/8"
Diameter of barrel at bore = 1"

[KABAR2]

It looks like someone's shop project, from the looks of it I would say it is shootable, though I really don't like the dia. of the trunnions also how are they attached?  threaded? brazed ? welded?  If it is a shooter you may want to build a new - better carraige for it those sheet iron straps don't look like they will take much abuse, if you are going to shoot it you may want to proof it first.....,.

[carmy53]

It looks like someone's shop project, from the looks of it I would say it is shootable, though I really don't like the dia. of the trunnions also how are they attached?  threaded? brazed ? welded?  If it is a shooter you may want to build a new - better carraige for it those sheet iron straps don't look like they will take much abuse, if you are going to shoot it you may want to proof it first.....,.

Trunnions look like they might be threaded. Definitely not welded or brazed. They feel solid.
The carriage is junk and I certainly wouldn't use it for shooting.
When looking down the barrel the bottom of the bore looks strange to me but I can't really see it that well. Any ideas on how to get a better look?
And how do you "proof" a barrel?
 

[GGaskill]

A bore depth of 7.25" puts the end just short of the fattest part of the barrel.  I would drill it out to 8" depth which would give the most metal around the chamber area.  The trunnions are definitely too small in diameter.  If they are screwed in, you could make larger trunnions and secure them with a through bolt.

[carmy53]

A bore depth of 7.25" puts the end just short of the fattest part of the barrel.  I would drill it out to 8" depth which would give the most metal around the chamber area.  The trunnions are definitely too small in diameter.  If they are screwed in, you could make larger trunnions and secure them with a through bolt.

I put a dowel down the barrel and then matched up where it lined up on the outside of the barrel and it came to exactly in the middle of the widest portion of the barrel.

[GGaskill]

Then you should be OK.

Trunnions were normally same as bore diameter but I think 1/2" would look too small.  Maybe 1" rimbases and 3/4" trunnions.

[carmy53]

Then you should be OK.

Trunnions were normally same as bore diameter but I think 1/2" would look too small.  Maybe 1" rimbases and 3/4" trunnions.

The trunnions look a little small to me too but they feel very solid.
Any thoughts on how to look down the barrel and see the bottom of the bore? I would swear I see what looks like 2 small black geared wheels down there with a gap between them. I know that is unlikely but that's what it looks like to me.

[carmy53]

Here are the best photos I could take looking down the barrel. What the heck is that down there?

[KABAR2]

The trunnions look a little small to me too but they feel very solid.
Any thoughts on how to look down the barrel and see the bottom of the bore? I would swear I see what looks like 2 small black geared wheels down there with a gap between them. I know that is unlikely but that's what it looks like to me.

Maybe someone's child decided to "load" it if so you'll have to fish them out.... just for the heck of it have you tried unscrewing sections? it's possible it's screwed together... also does it have a touch hole? And as others have said trunnions should be around 1"

[little seacoast]

Is it possible that you are seeing the threaded ends of the trunions down there protruding into the bore? Measure length to the "gears" then measure muzzle to trunnion length.

[carmy53]

The trunnions look a little small to me too but they feel very solid.
Any thoughts on how to look down the barrel and see the bottom of the bore? I would swear I see what looks like 2 small black geared wheels down there with a gap between them. I know that is unlikely but that's what it looks like to me.

Maybe someone's child decided to "load" it if so you'll have to fish them out.... just for the heck of it have you tried unscrewing sections? it's possible it's screwed together... also does it have a touch hole? And as others have said trunnions should be around 1"

LOL. I hadn't thought of something being down the barrel that wasn't supposed to be down the barrel like a kid's toy. 
So I guess my next question is - would somebody be willing to examine this barrel for me, extract any kids toys etc. lodged in the barrel and drill a fuse hole?
Of course, I would pay for shipping both ways and for your time.

[armorer77]

Send me a PM or e mailmailto:armorer77@cmsinter.net  Ed

[carmy53]

Send me a PM or e mailmailto:armorer77@cmsinter.net  Ed

PM sent

[armorer77]

The bore obstruction was a pair of barrettes , here is what it looks like now . Ed
 

[GGaskill]

I like those trunnions much better.

[KABAR2]

Looks much better! Shall you be proofing it?

[armorer77]

I am shooting this gun tomorrow . I won't be pushing this barrel , like I have others . Ed

[carmy53]

Pics please Ed. I'm jealous.
Dave

[armorer77]

Absolutly .