Silver Lining Flash Pan

[DTM72]

I have seen a few flash pans filled with silver and was curious as to what others think of this process. One of my teppo has alot of pitting to the pan, and the small hole leading to the chamber is not small anymore. I thought of having a jeweler fill it all with silver, then re-drill the small hole back to the chamber. Since silver is soft, it should be very easy to drill.

 

Thoughts?

[Bugyotsuji]

Yes, one of mine has repairs to the pan in silver. It seems to be resistant to the corrosion caused by black powder flash. More often you will see rebuilt pans in iron, or using shinchū brass though.

 

The tighter the vent hole, the better the main blast, so heavily used guns needed this operation, called ‘Buku-naoshi’.

[DTM72]

My only fear is that the application of heat to the barrel will affect the silver mon and dragons that are nearby...unless the jeweler has a fine point to their flame and uses a very low temp melting silver.

 

[Bugyotsuji]

This is a valid fear, Dan. It sounds as if you are approaching this with due caution. 

[Dave R]

For the touch hole, I suggest a silver insert screwed into a pre tapped vent, which was done with western flintlocks of the highest quality. Some even used platinum.