"U" on Barrel Bands

[Lt. Higley]

Can anyone provide information regarding the meaning, background, purpose, etc. the "U" on the right side of barrel bands?

Of course, I've seen them on CW period rifles, but I have also seen them on post-CW rifles and carbines (including a Whitney-Kennedy 44-40 in my collection). This got me wondering . . .

Many thanks in advance . . .

[ScottCross]

Re: "U" on Barrel Bands

It means "up" and always appears on the right/face side of the weapon.

[Archie R. Lib]

Re: "U" on Barrel Bands

Ken:

Think of it this way: during a time when sergeants sometimes had to use "hayfoot" and "strawfoot" when teaching proper marching because some recruits didn't know left from right, this was considered a simple and effective way to ensure the proper reassembly of a musket. Kind of like a Civil War version of "This Side Towards Enemy". As Mr. Cross said, the "U" was always on the right side of the weapon, and it ensured that the recruits or anyone reassembling the weapon would put the barrel bands in the correct place.

Cheers.
R

[fatocat]

Re: "U" on Barrel Bands

Very interesting. I've been wondering about the U for a while now. Thank you for the question and answers.

[Dan Wambaugh]

Re: "U" on Barrel Bands

Ken,

One last little tidbit: Remember that until the Model 1855 Springfield came into use only one of the barrel bands on muskets could possibly be reversed: the middle band with the swivel. The lower band was large and had a protrusion that extended an inch or so over the ramrod channel, and the upper band was a large double band which included the front sight. It was only with the model 1855 and subsequent designs that the direction of all three bands could be confused, hence a simple method was required for ensuring a proper placement. Hopefully that sheds a bit more light on things.

[Curt Schmidt]

Re: "U" on Barrel Bands

Hallo!

Just a quick extra...

The forestock on a RM or R was tapered down toward the front. The bands (on originals) are tapered as well to match the forestock. The "u" for up aligns the taper of the band so as not to scrape the more narrower end and damage the wood.

The bands on repro's are NUG straight, with the widest being the widest of the taper on the forestock. The Italians 'hope" that the band springs will keep the band "snug." This occassionalyl works, but at times the Springfield type solid barrel bands on reproductions rattle loosely (due to their being straight sided on a tapered forestock).
(Or sometimes, they are so snug one needs a mallet or hamemr and wood block to move them.)

Curt