Although a black powder rifle, I assume this is a gunsmith Q.
I want to change the configuration of an old replica 58 cal musket. Shorten the barrel, then pin the barrel to the stock instead of using barrel bands. Sort of like a Hawken? I would need a "lug" attached to a round barrel, then the wedge pin, and the brass fitting where the wedge goes through the stock. This would be done to a round barrel. Should it be brazed, soldered or dovetailed? What type of cost am I looking at?

Most BP rifle barrels are fairly soft steel. You could braze the lug to the barrel without undue stress. Cutting a dovetail is another option, as long as you keep the cut from being too deep (1/2 or more of the barrel thickness).

As to cost, only your local gunsmith will be able to give you a good answer.

Don't braze it! Temps required for Brazing can often ruin a barrel, black powder or modern. You want to use the low temp silver solder. I have used common 95/5 lead free plumbing solder with good results but the silver solder does afford more working strength.

Half round lug bases are available from various muzzle loader building supply places, if you need a couple I probable have some extra's on hand, just email me. mark@fire-iron.biz

There are various things you can use for the escutcheons where the anchor pins penetrate the stock, depends if you use a round pin or rectangular wedge. Some are available pre-made, or you can make your own from sheet brass, copper, german silver, ect... all in what you want it to look like.

Cost will be directly proportional to the amount of work required for the job. If the bbl will require complete refinishing, the cost can get up there depending on the finish desired. Most gunsmiths work these as "time & materials" because you really don't know what you're going to get into until you're into it so there is no real way to give an estimate without seeing the actual gun.

Just a suggestion, while this is an entirely possible to do this conversion, likely it will not look right based on the style of gun. Just something for you to consider, shorten the gun into a cavalry carbine rather than trying to convert it into hawken style. It was not uncommon for some people to convert the muskets into shorter carbines, you'll still retain two barrel bands and depending on how much you want to shorten it and the particular way the gun is currently arranged, the bands may or may not be relocated to facilitate the shorter length. This method would retain the historically correct look and reduce the cost but it's all in what makes you happy.

I've been fairly busy lately and don't get to the forum on a regular basis, if you have any more questions, feel free to email me, mark@fire-iron.biz

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