An SJ's Barrel, Button and Tassie

[Paddler]

I am fixing up a black SJ. The previous owner chewed the end of the barrel and gnawed the button down to a four-sided stump that sticks out of the center of the tassie. I am considering removing the rest of the button and replacing it with a small hematite cabochon or perhaps a black faceted piece of obsidian. Does the button hold the tassie onto the barrel? There appears to be a swaged collar between the button and the tassie. Is that what holds the tassie in place?

 

Paddler

 

[FarmBoy]

I am fixing up a black SJ. The previous owner chewed the end of the barrel and gnawed the button down to a four-sided stump that sticks out of the center of the tassie. I am considering removing the rest of the button and replacing it with a small hematite cabochon or perhaps a black faceted piece of obsidian. Does the button hold the tassie onto the barrel? There appears to be a swaged collar between the button and the tassie. Is that what holds the tassie in place?

 

Paddler

Paddler,

 

The barrel button (or jewel) is almost always press fit into the rivet you see the edge of. The rivet holds the metal trim ring to the end of the barrel. Since your jewel is broken, I would drill out the remnants. Start with a small bit and work to a larger one being careful not to hit the rivet. Once you have the remnants mostly removed, you should be able to pick out the rest.

 

The other option requires you remove the section and the j-bar and then drive out the button using a long punch. If you go this route be sure to properly support the end of the barrel as you gently tap out the jewel. Also make sure your punch is tapping on the jewel stem and not the bottom of the pen or you will break off the barrel end.

 

Todd

 

[Paddler]

Thanks, Todd,

 

I will probably just grind the old jewel down far enough to epoxy the new one in place.

 

Paddler

 

[Firefyter-Emt]

Todd, why do I get a feeling you know exactly why they can break like that? I dunno, maybe a little green birdy told me so. :hmm1:

[FarmBoy]

Todd, why do I get a feeling you know exactly why they can break like that? I dunno, maybe a little green birdy told me so. :hmm1:

Lee,

 

It wasn't me but I do know who winged the green bird and I'm sworn to secrecy. For me it was a really nice red J barrel and a blue cap that taught me all about the threaded jewels. I keep them in my "Hall of Shame". I was suppose to weld that barrel and got lazy and sent a replacement instead. But I do know that feeling all to well. I call it the equivalent of twisting off a 51 jewel but much harder to fix.

 

Todd