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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Barrel rests (Read 835 times)
marlinguy
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #15 - Feb 2nd, 2026 at 1:55pm
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westerner wrote on Feb 2nd, 2026 at 11:44am:
Sure shot wrote on Feb 2nd, 2026 at 11:23am:
Could the dovetail in the barrel have been for a sling swivel?


Here's a picture of the dovetailed sling swivel on my # 9 Ballard. Dovetail looks to be about .300.


I thought about it possibly being for a sling swivel, and considered maybe D&T the filler block to just mount a sling swivel there, but nothing on the buttstock. Just so it wasn't just a blank there. 
Since I got the barrel along with a bunch of Ballard parts I bought I only know it was threaded for a Ballard, butt not much else.
Appreciate the ideas guys! Thanks a bunch!
  
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Andover Arms
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #16 - Feb 2nd, 2026 at 3:13pm
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I have seen a few altered Single Shots that had a dovetail cut under the barrel's forearms and a block added for the forearm screw (think similar to a Win 1885 mainspring block). My thought was always that it was done to better support the wood because of larger heavy barrels and palm rests. The forearms had to be inletted for the "block". But from the sounds of yours, the dovetail is too far forward for that to be the case (unless it originally had a really long forearm). Regards, Chris
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #17 - Feb 2nd, 2026 at 7:51pm
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Andover Arms wrote on Feb 2nd, 2026 at 3:13pm:
I have seen a few altered Single Shots that had a dovetail cut under the barrel's forearms and a block added for the forearm screw (think similar to a Win 1885 mainspring block). My thought was always that it was done to better support the wood because of larger heavy barrels and palm rests. The forearms had to be inletted for the "block". But from the sounds of yours, the dovetail is too far forward for that to be the case (unless it originally had a really long forearm). Regards, Chris


This barrel also has another dovetail under the forearm for a forearm screw. But oddly that also has a filler fitted to the shape of the barrel like the one ahead of the forearm has. It may have had something else previously, and someone might have been planning to try to make both dovetails blend in.
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #18 - Feb 2nd, 2026 at 7:57pm
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Sure shot wrote on Feb 2nd, 2026 at 11:23am:
Could the dovetail in the barrel have been for a sling swivel?


I liked your guess the best for now, so dug through my supply of old sling swivels and found a matching pair. The front one I found had a 3/16" round stud to somehow mount it, so I drilled a hole in the filler and then beveled the back side. Cut the pin slightly long and peened it on the back after beveling the hole so the metal had somewhere to go. Mounted the 2nd on the buttstock, and just need to find an old timey sling for it now.

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Sure shot
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #19 - Feb 3rd, 2026 at 4:18am
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Looks good!
  
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Dellet
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #20 - Feb 3rd, 2026 at 5:56am
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marlinguy wrote on Feb 2nd, 2026 at 7:51pm:
Andover Arms wrote on Feb 2nd, 2026 at 3:13pm:
I have seen a few altered Single Shots that had a dovetail cut under the barrel's forearms and a block added for the forearm screw (think similar to a Win 1885 mainspring block). My thought was always that it was done to better support the wood because of larger heavy barrels and palm rests. The forearms had to be inletted for the "block". But from the sounds of yours, the dovetail is too far forward for that to be the case (unless it originally had a really long forearm). Regards, Chris


This barrel also has another dovetail under the forearm for a forearm screw. But oddly that also has a filler fitted to the shape of the barrel like the one ahead of the forearm has. It may have had something else previously, and someone might have been planning to try to make both dovetails blend in.

What is the distance between the dovetails?

Is it possible that they were scope mounts and the barrel set back turned upside down?
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #21 - Feb 3rd, 2026 at 2:54pm
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Dellet wrote on Feb 3rd, 2026 at 5:56am:
marlinguy wrote on Feb 2nd, 2026 at 7:51pm:


This barrel also has another dovetail under the forearm for a forearm screw. But oddly that also has a filler fitted to the shape of the barrel like the one ahead of the forearm has. It may have had something else previously, and someone might have been planning to try to make both dovetails blend in.

What is the distance between the dovetails?

Is it possible that they were scope mounts and the barrel set back turned upside down?


No, not possible. Schoyen barrels had his typical rollstamp on the top between scope mounting holes, so if it was turned over the rollstamp would be under the forearm. As would the front sight dovetail. Both are still on the top. And I can't imagine any scope that would have .539" wide dovetail mounts either.
I'm sure the rear dovetail was for a block the forearm screw screwed into. The front who knows for sure, but the sling swivel works for me for now.
  
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gnoahhh
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #22 - Feb 4th, 2026 at 5:44pm
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WWJD? (What would Jack do?) 

"Here, just loop this hunk of binder twine between those swivels and call it good." "It'll get you from the trunk of your car to the firing line."
  
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marlinguy
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Re: Barrel rests
Reply #23 - Feb 5th, 2026 at 10:50am
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gnoahhh wrote on Feb 4th, 2026 at 5:44pm:
WWJD? (What would Jack do?) 

"Here, just loop this hunk of binder twine between those swivels and call it good." "It'll get you from the trunk of your car to the firing line."


With the 15 lb. weight of this Ballard I'd be afraid to have that twine cutting into my shoulder, even for a short walk!
  
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