I’ve heard different answers as to why smoothbores sometimes have that barrel shape. Ease of forging is one I’ve heard, but I’ve also heard barrel strength or ease of placing sights. Hopefully someone can add a more informed opinion!
Easier to push a ball down a barrel with air gaps. If you have a soft metal it will deform to the hex shape on firing. Less reliable than actual rifling though and the time savings wasn’t worth keeping it. Of note that may have been the later reasoning when rifling was easier and getting more common.
That said, I’ve always kind of wanted a hexagonal shotgun.
I’m curious to know the reason for the heptagonal shape of the cannons!
I’ve heard different answers as to why smoothbores sometimes have that barrel shape. Ease of forging is one I’ve heard, but I’ve also heard barrel strength or ease of placing sights. Hopefully someone can add a more informed opinion!
Easier to push a ball down a barrel with air gaps. If you have a soft metal it will deform to the hex shape on firing. Less reliable than actual rifling though and the time savings wasn’t worth keeping it. Of note that may have been the later reasoning when rifling was easier and getting more common.
That said, I’ve always kind of wanted a hexagonal shotgun.