How to Letter and Number Stamp a Rifle Barrel

Larry Potterfield • January 21, 2017
Gunsmithing

If you're going to rebarrel a rifle, it's important that you mark the caliber for safety as well as legal reasons.

Hold the barrel tight in a heavy padded vise and mark the caliber. Use a straight edge and mark just above the centerline. Double-check the stamp and place it next to the guideline, then hit it sharply. One strike and one strike only with a ball pein hammer.

Ensure you make a good and even strike
Ensure you make a good and even strike

Continue stamping one number at a time. If the number isn't well-struck, reposition the stamp and strike it again. The raised edges around each number will need to be dressed down.

Example of raised edges
Example of raised edges

Start by using a fine file, and follow it up with some abrasive paper.

Final look
Final look

Well, now we're safe and legal.

-- Larry Potterfield

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Larry Potterfield

Larry Potterfield is the Founder and Chairman of the Board of MidwayUSA. He and his wife Brenda, both country kids from Missouri, turned their passion for shooting sports into a career by opening a small gun shop in 1977 that would eventually become the industry-leading internet retailer it is today. For over 45 years, MidwayUSA has maintained an unyielding focus on Customer Satisfaction and continues to offer JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING® for Shooting, Hunting and the Outdoors.

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