Patent Publication Number: US-7895877-B1

Title: Gun barrel stamper

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS  
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/125,682, filed on Apr. 28, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND  
     This version of the invention is concerned with the field of firearms accessories. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with gun barrel stamper for impressing upon a gun barrel a series of identifying alphanumeric characters in an even sequence and straight line. 
     PRIOR ART 
     Creating identifying marks, such as alpha-numeric characters, on the surface of a gun barrel involves the use of metal punch dies and a means to exert force or pressure against each individual punch die so as to impress the individual alpha-numeric character located at one end of each punch die upon the exterior surface of gun barrel. In many cases, a series of several alpha-numeric characters must be impressed upon the exterior surface of the gun barrel in order to create a usable identifying mark, serial number, or the like. For such alpha-numeric characters to be effective as an identifying mark, they must be impressed upon or otherwise crated on the exterior surface of the gun barrel in an even sequence and straight line so as to prevent any misreading or misunderstanding of the various alpha-numeric characters that comprise the identifying mark. 
     However, it is exceedingly difficult or impossible to create an identifying mark upon the exterior surface of a gun barrel in such a manner using conventional methods and devices. For instance, a common method involves placing a gun barrel in a holding device, such as a vice, and banging individual punch dies with a hammer or mallet against one end of the punch die to impress upon the gun barrel the individual alpha-numeric character located at the opposed end of the punch die. This process is not only laborious and time consuming but frequently ineffective as the punch die may slide off the exterior surface of the gun barrel when being struck by the hammer or mallet. In addition, the alpha-numeric characters that may be eventually transferred to the exterior surface of the gun barrel are usually done so in an uneven and haphazard manner, which makes reading or understanding the identifying mark difficult or impossible. Various punch die stamping devices and mechanisms are available in prior art and design. However, such devices are limited in the ability to create a series of alpha-numeric characters upon the exterior surface of a gun barrel. 
     The subject of the instant invention introduces a gun barrel stamper that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages of previous methods and devices for stamping, impressing upon, or otherwise creating alpha-numeric characters upon the exterior surface of a gun barrel. The gun barrel stamper is comprised of a die container with interior space, a die ram inserted into the interior space of the die container, a series of punch dies located within said interior space of the die container, and fasteners for releasably attaching the gun barrel stamper to the exterior surface of a gun barrel and urging the punch dies located within the die container against the exterior surface of a gun barrel so as to impress upon the exterior surface of the gun barrel a series of alpha-numeric characters in an even sequence and straight line. 
     DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The existence of a stamping device designed to create in an even sequence and straight line a sequence of alpha-numeric characters upon the exterior surface of a gun barrel is unknown at the present time. For example, numerous designs for stamping devices and tools for use with firearms and gun jigs have been provided in the prior art. Even though these designs may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present version of the invention. These designs are exemplified by the following patents:
         U.S. Pat. No. 3,177,688, Forging Machine for the Internal Profiling of Tubular Workpieces, Particularly of Barrels for Firearms, issued to Kralowetz on 13 Apr. 1965;   U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,337, Gun Jig, issued to Best on 3 Nov. 1970;   U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,652, Marking Head for Cold Stamping Symbols on a Metallic Surface, issued to Bo on 30 Jun. 1981;   U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,942, Cold Marking Typesetting Stick Cartridge Stamping Tool, issued to Bo on 15 Jul. 1986; and   U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,896, Gun Jig, issued to Ferri on Apr. 5, 1994.       

     As illustrated by the background art, efforts are continuously being made in an attempt to develop devices for stamping or otherwise inscribing marks upon gun barrels and various other components of firearms. No prior effort, however, provides the benefits attendant with the present invention. 
     As such, it may be appreciated that there is a continuing need for a new and improved gun barrel stamper that impresses or otherwise creates a series of various alpha-numeric characters upon the exterior surface of a gun barrel in an even sequence and straight line so that a readable, identifying mark is created upon the exterior surface of the gun barrel. In these respects, the present version of the invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art and, in so doing, provides an apparatus that substantially fulfills this need. Additionally, the prior patents and commercial techniques do not suggest the present inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured as disclosed herein. 
     The present invention achieves its intended purposes, objects, and advantages through a new, useful and unobvious combination of method steps and component elements, with the use of a minimum number of functioning parts, at a reasonable cost to manufacture, and by employing only readily available materials. 
     SUMMARY  
     The present version of the invention, which will be described in greater detail hereinafter, relates to the field of firearms accessories. More specifically, this version of the invention is concerned with gun barrel stamper for impressing upon a gun barrel a series of identifying alpha-numeric characters in an even sequence and straight line. My version of the invention overcomes all of the shortcomings listed previously, in addition to novel aspects that will be described in detail hereinafter. 
     Described briefly, according to a typical embodiment, the invention presents a gun barrel stamper that consists of a die container, a die ram, and a series of punch dies located within the die container against the die ram. The die container is comprised of a first longer sidewall, second, opposed longer sidewall, and shorter sidewall. An elongate aperture is located medially within each longer sidewall, and a circular aperture is located medially within the shorter sidewall. The sidewalls of the die container enclose an interior space. 
     A first bar is attached to the first longer sidewall between the elongate aperture located within the first longer sidewall and shorter sidewall and extends therefrom for some distance. A second bar is attached to the second longer sidewall between the elongate aperture located within the second longer sidewall and shorter sidewall and extends therefrom for some distance. Cylindrical bores extend completely through the first and second bars. 
     The die ram is comprised of a first shorter sidewall, second, opposed shorter sidewall, first longer sidewall, and second, opposed longer sidewall. An elongate aperture is located medially within the die ram. A first rectangular bar is located on the first longer sidewall between the elongate aperture and second shorter sidewall and extends therefrom for some distance. A second rectangular bar is located on the second longer sidewall between the elongate aperture and the second shorter sidewall and extends therefrom for some distance. A cylindrical bore extends completely through each bar. 
     Two threaded fasteners are inserted within the elongate apertures of the die container and die ram. A threaded fastener is inserted within the circular aperture of the shorter sidewall of said die container. A first U-shaped fastener with opposed threaded ends is releasably attached to the first and second bars of the die container. The threaded ends of the first U-shaped fastener occupy the cylindrical bores of said first and second bars. Cooperating threaded fasteners are attached to the threaded ends of the first U-shaped fastener. 
     A second U-shaped fastener with opposed threaded ends is releasably attached to the first and second bars of the die ram. The threaded ends of the second U-shaped fastener occupy the cylindrical bores of said first and second bars. Cooperating threaded fasteners are attached to the threaded ends of the second U-shaped fastener. 
     Punch dies are located within the interior space of the die container and are locked in place when the die ram is inserted into the die container. The first shorter sidewall of the die ram makes contact with and urges against the punch die located adjacent to the first shorter sidewall of the die ram. The threaded fastener located with the circular aperture of the shorter sidewall of the die container is rotated until it makes frictional contact with and urges against the punch die located at the second, opposed end of the series of punch dies. Threaded fasteners are inserted into the aligned, elongate apertures of the die container and die ram to attach the die container and die ram to each other and to lock the punch dies in position within the interior space of the die container. 
     To impress a series of alpha-numeric characters upon the exterior surface of a gun barrel, a portion of the gun barrel is located within the U-shaped fasteners, and the U-shaped fasteners are then releasably attached to the die container and die ram as previously described. A series of punch dies the desired alpha-numeric characters is disposed within the interior space of the die container as referenced previously. The ends of the punch dies with the alpha-numeric characters extend slightly beyond adjacent sidewalls of the die container. 
     The cooperating threaded fasteners located upon the threaded ends of the U-shaped fasteners are rotated to attach the die container and die ram and threaded fasteners to the gun barrel. The cooperating threaded fasteners are further rotated to urge the ends of the punch dies with the alpha-numeric characters against the exterior surface of the gun barrel with force or pressure sufficient to impress upon or otherwise create the same numeric-numeric characters upon the exterior surface of the gun barrel in an even sequence or straight line. 
     As needed, the number of punch dies located within the interior space of the die container can be increased or reduced as necessary and locked in place within the die container by relocating the die ram within the die container so as to impress upon the exterior surface of the gun barrel the desired sequence of alpha-numeric characters. 
     An elongate spacer can be fitted over the threaded ends of one of the U-shaped fasteners when the gun barrel stamper is being used with a gun barrel that tapers or slopes. The spacer maintains the die container and die ram with punch dies locked in place therein in approximate parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the gun barrel. As such, the punch dies impart or otherwise create a clean, even impression of alpha-numeric characters when the die container and die ram with punch dies locked in place therein are urged against the gun barrel as described previously. The stamper may also include a die spacer adjustment mechanism that adjusts the die space to accommodate punch dies having non-standard widths. 
     My invention, therefore, resides not in any one of these features per se, but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed. It is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the functions specified. 
     In order that the detailed description of the invention may be better understood and that the present contribution to the art can be more fully appreciated, additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and the disclosed specific methods and structures may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent methods and structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     Accordingly, it is an object of my version of the invention to provide a low-cost, easy-to-manufacture, and easy-to-market gun barrel stamper. 
     A further object of my version of the invention is to provide an easy-to-use and versatile gun barrel stamper. 
     A significant object of the invention is to provide a gun barrel stamper that is comprised of a die container with interior space, a die ram inserted into the interior space of the die container, a series of punch dies located within said interior space, threaded fasteners for attaching the die container and die ram to each other and locking the punch dies in position within the interior space of the die container, and threaded fasteners for releasably attaching the die container and die ram to the exterior surface of a gun barrel so as to exert the punch dies locked in glace within the die container with force or pressure sufficient against the exterior surface of the gun barrel to impress alpha-numeric characters upon the exterior surface of said gun barrel. 
    
    
     
       A final but very significant object of the invention is to provide a gun barrel stamper that can impress upon the exterior surface of a gun barrel a series of alpha-numeric characters in an even sequence and straight line and can accommodate punch dies that are not of standard width. 
       For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects of the invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the present invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or by modifying the invention within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the summary of the invention and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment in addition to the scope of the invention illustrated by the accompanying drawings. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more fully understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, perspective view of the die container of a gun barrel stamper. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view of the die ram of a gun barrel stamper. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the gun barrel stamper attached to a gun barrel. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the gun barrel stamper that includes a die space adjustment mechanism. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the gun barrel stamper with the adjustment mechanism. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a top view of the gun barrel stamper illustrated in  FIG. 5  illustrating the die space in a closed and expanded state, respectively. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are a view of the gun barrel stamper taken along section line  7 - 7  of  FIGS. 6A and 6B , respectively. 
     
    
    
     DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
       
         
           
               
               
             
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 10 
                 Gun Barrel Stamper 
               
               
                 12 
                 Die Container 
               
               
                 14 
                 First Longer Sidewall 
               
               
                 16 
                 Second Longer Sidewall 
               
               
                 18 
                 Shorter Sidewall 
               
               
                 20 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                 22 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                 24 
                 Interior Space 
               
               
                 26 
                 Bar 
               
               
                 28 
                 Bar 
               
               
                 30 
                 Bore 
               
               
                 32 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 34 
                 Spacer 
               
               
                 36 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 38 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 40 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 42 
                 End 
               
               
                 44 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 46 
                 Die 
               
               
                 48 
                 Die 
               
               
                 50 
                 Die 
               
               
                 52 
                 Die 
               
               
                 54 
                 Die 
               
               
                 56 
                 Die 
               
               
                 58 
                 Die Ram 
               
               
                 60 
                 First Shorter Sidewall 
               
               
                 62 
                 Second Shorter Sidewall 
               
               
                 64 
                 First Longer Sidewall 
               
               
                 66 
                 Second Longer Sidewall 
               
               
                 68 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                 70 
                 Bar 
               
               
                 72 
                 Bar 
               
               
                 74 
                 Bore 
               
               
                 76 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 78 
                 End 
               
               
                 80 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 82 
                 Gun Barrel 
               
               
                 84 
                 Spacer 
               
               
                 86 
                 Aperture 
               
               
                 90 
                 Die Space Adjustment Mechanism 
               
               
                 92 
                 Side Block 
               
               
                 94 
                 Access Hole 
               
               
                 96 
                 Set Screw 
               
               
                 98 
                 Fastener 
               
               
                 100 
                 End Block 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT DESCRIPTION  
     Referring now to the drawings and, in particular, to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3  wherein there are illustrated a typical embodiment of the gun barrel stamper  10 . In  FIG. 1 , the present version of the invention  10  consists in part of a die container  12  having a first longer sidewall  14 , a second, opposed longer sidewall  16 , and a shorter sidewall  18 . An elongate aperture  20  is located medially within each longer sidewall  14 ,  16 , and a circular aperture  22  is located medially within the shorter sidewall  18 . The sidewalls  14 ,  16 ,  18  enclose an interior space  24 . 
     A first rectangular bar  26  is located on the first longer sidewall  14  between the elongate aperture  20  and the shorter sidewall  18  and extends therefrom for some distance. A second rectangular bar  28  is located on the second longer sidewall  16  between the elongate aperture  20  and the shorter sidewall  18  and extends therefrom for some distance. A cylindrical bore  30  extends completely through each bar  26 ,  28 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , first and second threaded fasteners  32  are aligned for insertion through cooperating spacers  34  and through the elongate apertures  20  of the first  14  and second  16  longer sidewalls. The first and second threaded fasteners  32  are mated with cooperating threaded fasteners  36  to secure said fasteners  32  to the longer sidewalls  14 ,  16  within the apertures  20  thereof. A threaded fastener  38  is aligned for insertion into the aperture  22  of the second shorter sidewall  18 . 
     A U-shaped fastener  40  having two threaded ends  42  is aligned for insertion of said threaded ends  42  through the cylindrical bores  30  of the first  26  and second  28  rectangular bars. The threaded ends  42  of the first U-shaped fastener  40  are mated with cooperating threaded fasteners  44  to secure said U-shaped fastener  40  to the rectangular bars  26 ,  28 . 
     A series of punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  is aligned for insertion into the interior space  24  of the die container  12 . The punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  are of the type well known in prior art and design having at one end thereof a raised impression or protuberance in the shape of an alpha-numeric character. The shape of the alpha-numeric character is transferred to a second, impressionable surface, such as a metallic surface, by pressing with considerable force or otherwise urging the end of one of the dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  containing the shape of the alpha-numeric character against the second surface. In this manner, various sequences of alpha-numeric characters can be transferred to the second surface for identification, inventory control, security, and the like. 
     A die ram  58  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The die ram is flat and rectangular in shape comprised in part of a first shorter sidewall  60 , second opposed shorter sidewall  62 , first longer sidewall  64 , and second opposed longer sidewall  66 . An elongate aperture  68  is located medially within the die ram  58 . A first rectangular bar  70  is located on the first longer sidewall  64  between the elongate aperture  68  and second shorter sidewall  62  and extends therefrom for some distance. A second rectangular bar  72  is located on the second longer sidewall  66  between the elongate aperture  68  and the second shorter sidewall  62  and extends therefrom for some distance. A cylindrical bore  74  extends completely through each bar  70 ,  72 . 
     A U-shaped fastener  76  having two threaded ends  78  is aligned for insertion of said threaded ends  78  through the cylindrical bores  74  of the rectangular bars  70 ,  72 . The threaded ends  78  of the U-shaped fastener  76  are mated with cooperating threaded fasteners  80  to secure said U-shaped fastener  76  to the rectangular bars  70 ,  72 . 
     The die container  12 , die ram  58 , and fasteners  32 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 ,  44 ,  76 ,  80  are comprised of material that is rigid and durable, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, various composite materials, and the like. 
     During use, the die ram  58  is inserted into the interior space  24  of the die container  12 . An appropriate number of punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  is then inserted into the interior space  24  of the die container  12  between the end of the threaded fastener  38  inserted through the aperture  22  of the shorter sidewall  18  of the die container  12  and the first shorter sidewall  60  of the die ram  58 . The ends of the punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  with the raised impression or protuberance in the shape of an alpha-numeric character are positioned to extend slightly beyond the bottom side edges of the sidewalls  14 ,  16 ,  18  of the die container  12  and bottom side edges of the sidewalls  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  of the die ram  58 . 
     Once the punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  are positioned within the interior space  24  of the die container  12  as desired, the punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  are locked in place by inserting the threaded fasteners  32  through the aligned apertures  20  of the die container  12  and aperture  68  of the die ram  58  so that the first shorter sidewall  60  of the die ram  58  makes contact with and urges against the punch die  46  closest to the first shorter sidewall  60  of the die ram  58 . At this point, the cooperating threaded fastener  44  can be rotated upon the shaft of the threaded fastener  34  to lock the die container  12  and die ram  58  together in place. The threaded fastener  38  inserted within the aperture  22  of the shorter sidewall  18  of the die container  12  is then rotated until the end of the threaded fastener  38  makes contact with and impinges against the closest punch die  56 . In this manner, the punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  are locked in place within the interior space  24  of the die container  12  between the first shorter sidewall  60  of the die ram  58  and end of threaded fastener  38  located within the aperture  22  of the shorter sidewall  18  of the die container  12 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , therein illustrated is the gun barrel stamper  10  releasably attached to the exterior surface of a portion of a gun barrel  82 . The die container  12  and die ram  58  are affixed to each other with dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  contained therein as described previously. The gun barrel  82  is located between the die container  12 , die ram  58 , and the U-shaped fasteners  40 ,  76 . The U-shaped fasteners  40 ,  76  are secured to respective bars  26 ,  28 ,  70 ,  72  with cooperating threaded fasteners  44 ,  80 , respectively, as described previously. The punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  are located within the interior space  24  of the die container  12  and locked in place as referenced previously. With the punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  positioned with the die container  12  as such, the threaded fasteners  44 ,  80  located on respective ends  42 ,  78  of the U-shaped fasteners  40 ,  76  are rotated until the ends of the punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  extending beyond the bottom side edges of the sidewalls  14 ,  16 ,  18  of the die container  12  and bottom side edges of the sidewalls  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  of the die ram  58  impinge against the exterior surface of the gun barrel  82  with force or pressure sufficient to impress the alpha-numeric characters located on the ends of the punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  upon the exterior surface of the gun barrel  82 . In this manner, a series of identifying alpha-numeric characters is impressed or otherwise created upon the surface of the gun barrel  82  in an even sequence and straight line. 
     As needed, the number of punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54 ,  56  located within the interior space  24  of the die container  12  can be increased or reduced as necessary and locked in place within the die container  12  by relocating the first shorter sidewall  60  of the die ram  58  within the interior space  24  of the die container  12  so as to impress upon the exterior surface of the gun barrel  82  the desired sequence of alpha-numeric characters. 
     An elongate spacer  84  with apertures  86  at opposed ends thereof is provided for stamping alpha-numeric characters upon the exterior surface of a tapering gun barrel. Depending upon the slope or angle of the tapering gun barrel, the spacer  84  is secured to one of the U-shaped fasteners  40 .  76  between the gun barrel and the bottom side edges of the sidewalls  14 ,  16 ,  18 , of the die container  12  and bottom side edges of the sidewalls  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66  of the die ram  58 . 
     The gun barrel is first located within the U-shaped fasteners  40 ,  76  and then the spacer  84  is placed over one of the U-shaped fasteners  40 ,  76 , depending upon the slope of the gun barrel, by inserting the threaded ends  42 ,  78  of one of the U-shaped fasteners  40 ,  76 , respectively, through the apertures  86  of the spacer  84 . The U-shaped fasteners  40 ,  76  are then attached to the die container  12  and die ram  58  as described previously. In this manner, the spacer  84  maintains the die container  12  and die ram  58  with punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  locked in place therein in approximate parallel relation to the longitudinal axis of the gun barrel so as to ensure that the punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  create a clean, even impression of alpha-numeric characters when the die container  12 , die ram  58 , and punch dies  46 ,  48 ,  50 ,  52 ,  54  locked in place therein are pressed against the gun barrel as described previously. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 to 7B , gun barrel stamper  10  may include a die space adjustment mechanism  90 . In some cases, punch dies  46  to  54  are held to tight manufacturing tolerances and are, therefore, difficult if not impossible to insert into a fixed interior space  24 . Adjustment mechanism  90  provides for an adjustable interior space  24  of die container  12 . Adjustment mechanism  90  includes two L-shaped side blocks  92  that receive fastener  40  and an end block  100  that receives fastener  38 . End block  100  replaces shorter sidewall  18  (see e.g.  FIG. 1 ). Each side block  92  is connected to one of the first and second longer sidewalls  14 ,  16  of die container  12  by way of two fasteners  98 . Fasteners  98  also secure end block  100  in proper alignment with side blocks  92  and the ends of longer sidewalls  14  and  16 . Each side block  92  includes an access hole  94  that provides access to a set screw  96 . Loosening fasteners  32  and  98 , and then tightening set screws  96 , forces sidewalls  14  and  16  to move opposite one another, thereby widening interior space  24 . Once the appropriate spacing has been provided, punch dies  46 ,  48  and  50 , fasteners  32  and  98  are tightened. 
     While this version of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the version of the invention are desired to be protected. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     CONCLUSION AND SCOPE OF INVENTION  
     From the foregoing, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that an improved gun barrel stamper has been provided. The invention is relatively simple and easy to manufacture, yet affords a variety of uses. While my description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the version of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the preferred embodiment thereof. The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and numerous changes in the details of construction and combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.