Dom, looks like another winner for you. I believe it is the unique "Look" of that weapon that makes it so fascinating. Your mind fairly races to imagine what sort of mayhem it could cause at the other end of a bridge, mountain pass or avenue of approach. Because we want you to be around for a long time making these and all the other cool ordnance you make, please be extra cautious about reloading this one. During cleaning, consider using an alcohol sponge after your wet and dry ones to remove the last vestige of moisture from each tube. Hang-fires could be a real "beach" in such a weapon!! Please consider pointing it into the dirt or off to one side when you go down range to check your target!
I was facing the tubes this evening and the bolt broke on my mandrel that I use to chuck the tubes in the lathe.
'an alla that damage just 'cause ya looked at it? sorry Dom, couldn't resist, now I'll go to my room.
Cannonmn, I thought the same thing as soon as I read that. Now I have been trying to figure out why. Obviously we both know the meaning of “facing the tubes” in machinist’s parlance, and that meaning is certainly in context here, so WHY would we instantly think of the other meanings of “facing”?
In my opinion it is simply more common to be facing down a snarling dog or facing up to some challenge which confronts you. Or one could be “facing the music” after a military court-martial. In thinking about this, I’ve also noticed that, while “facing your problems squarely” is considered noble by most people, the vast majority of “facing” usages could have dire consequences. Just consider the following:
The lawman found himself facing the fastest gun in the territory.
During the earthquake, the building’s brick facing came down all around him.
Facing the angry mob didn’t work out too well for Robespierre or Marie-Antoinette.
And worst of all, in “facing Medusa”, of Greek Mythology, you could reach the end of your
days in an instant as you turned to stone.
Food for thought,
Tracy
