Tonight I started on removing the rivets from the barrel trunnion. I removed as much rivet material as possible, what's left between the barrel and trunnion can be slid to one side leaving the rivet hole clear.

Question is, is there enough room between the trunnion and barrel to insert a tap far enough to cut the correct depth threads before hitting the barrel?

The way it looks to me is there is not enough room. It is possible to cut the threads with out removing the barrel?

QUIB, There are taps made for just that purpose. We used to call them "bottoming taps" which I'm sure isn't the right term. They will cut threads all the way to the bottom of a hole. When I did my rifle I took a standard tap and started each of the four trunnion holes. Once I had them started I ground off end of the tap until it was down the cutting threads. (I was too anxious to order the right tap and wait for it to come in.) Then I lubed the holes and carefully cut the threads all the way to the bottom. It worked fine.

Railhead, thanks! I was telling my wife the same thing about maybe grinding the tap down. Sounds like a good idea! By the way, what size taps and screws did you end up using?

Thanks again! With the help of you guys here I should end up with a nice looking rifle!

Quib

Thanks guys! I did manage to get the remains of the rivets out from between the barrel and trunnion. I took my 3/32 pin punch, ground the tip down to a chisel point, and cut up the rivet head into sections. Then magnetized my scribe to pick out the pieces.

I'm taking pics at each phase of the project. This is going to be fun! With your help should turn out great!