I don't have the solder with paste, but I do have the low high strength stuff with paste separate. Probably will do four spoke. Going to have to figure out some sort of holding fixture.
Zulu, that's my plan. I just need a fixture to hold the first spokes, so when I solder the second pieces the first don't fall out when the solder softens.
After putting the barrel on and trying get my chubby fingers in to adjust, it definitely needs four.
So what exactly is the main fault of the Nepalese Gahendra Martini-Henry rifle? Is it is lack of standardization in the parts? Improper fit of parts? Or maybe the lack of hardening of the 'wear parts'. What's the most serious fault?
Mike and Tracy
Hardening and design of the Gahendra is fine. In fact the design is a take of the Westley Richards 1873 also know as the Improce Martini.
Standardization is pretty hard to achieve working with chisels and files. The biggest problem of the fit breech block. Most Gunsmith don't really understand how the breech block is fit in hinged block actions. Not a problem since there are seldom problems in this area and we normally work with finished actions that were manfactured by some one who understands the fit. In this case the Nepalese were the makers and they no idea the that knuckle and knuckle seat were mating locking surfaces. I don't think they knew how to machine the knuckle seat. They gouged the seat completely out with had tools and left the load bearing on the hinge pin which bend under firing.
Other parts are hand fit. A lot of guns of the era were hand fit. The little Cadet Martini is a good example. For example the back of the breech block of the Cadet has to filed to relieve interference between the back of the breech block and subframe. The English Gunsmith uniformly filed the back of the breech block. If the Nepalese had fit the breech block, one guy would do it by filing the breech block, one guy would file the subframe and one would file both parts. There are no spare parts for these things, so that means a donor action is needed and hope the parts can be fit.
Then the barrels...some are mandrel welded and some are solid drilled.
Hey this is the cannon board and not the Martini board....the moderator doesn't tolerate topic drift...the heck with him, the Gahendra is pre 1898.