Lug on 1851 R/M Conversion Barrel

[MikeM.]

Can anybody tell me if every lug on 1851 R/M conversions had the lever hole in them? Lever hole probably isn't the correct word but maybe ya'll know what I am talking about.  I don't think I have ever seen one that didn't. I see them in the solid form but they still have the hole. Has anybody ever seen one that didn't ? Does anybody have a picture of one that don't have the hole??

[Abilene]

Not sure what you are asking.  '51 R-M's do not have a rammer hole or slot, which would be visible from the front of the gun.  If you are talking about the rectangular "hole" or gap between the lower part of the cylinder and the barrel that can be seen from the side view, they all have that.  That is the space between the front of the cylinder and the front of the frame.

[MikeM.]

Yes the rammer hole , I have seen many with it . I actually can’t find a picture of one without it. I am talking about originals , not the modern version .

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[Abilene]

In that case, I looked in the McDowell book and it says all '51 RM's had the rammer hole.  Percussion barrels had the lever slot filled but retained the hole and when new barrels were made a hole was drilled.  It says the purpose of the hole was for removing the barrel with a mallet and dowel since there was no loading lever.

[MikeM.]

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it

[MikeM.]

Now my Uberti has said hole too!!! Having a machinist friend has its quirks.....

[Abilene]

Haha, way to go!

But you know, I've been thinking about Colt's reason for leaving the hole.  Really don't need that hole, since there is another hole in the barrel that goes through to the cylinder and frame, and that one is called the bore!  I have certainly used a dowel down the bore to separate barrel from frame on numerous occasions and it works fine (Uberti OT's and conversions.  Also on MWNN conversions, as the two piece rammer will bend if you try to use it to force off a barrel).  Well, I guess using the rammer hole for that means you can use a shorter dowel  

[MikeM.]

I totally agree but wanted to add that touch of authenticity