Purpose of Leather Barrel cover?

SCOUT5

April 23, 2012 14:04

Seen this on the auction side and am curious as to the purpose of the leather barrel cover. This was a sailors weapon so I am guessing something to do with moisture, but how and why, or is there another reason like sound control maybe?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=282761363

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  charliemeyer007

  April 23, 2012 14:12

  Oiled leather doesn't rust, greased leather can be sticky instead of slick wet metal.

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  Spider7115

  April 23, 2012 14:17

  Protection against rust from salty sea air.

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  EVILDR235

  April 23, 2012 19:43

  I have a friend in Napa California that has a 56 Spencer rimfire rifle that has a barrel wrapped in leather.He got it from his grandfather was the town blacksmith.
  
  EvilDr235

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  David Nunn

  April 24, 2012 05:48

  The idea was corrosion protection, but in practice, it did not work as well as it was intended. The leather got moist and then kept that moisture next to the barrel, where it made the corrosion problem worse, not better.

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  SCOUT5

  April 24, 2012 10:45

  quote:Originally posted by nunn
  The idea was corrosion protection, but in practice, it did not work as well as it was intended. The leather got moist and then kept that moisture next to the barrel, where it made the corrosion problem worse, not better.
  
  
  That's what I figured. Keep the leather oiled keeps the barrel oiled but in reality it just holds moister.
  
  I could also see that it would provide some noise control with carbines resting against boat gunnels etc. but that didn't seem to be worth the trouble to me.
  
  Thanks folks

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