A study of internal structure of two antique handguns by means of radiographic inspection

Identifying the internal components of old specimens such as antique guns is very important to restoration experts in terms of the internal design and their connections. It is also important to check the safety of the weapon in terms of whether it is full or empty or how the cartridges are positioned. In this case study, radiography testing was used to investigate the condition of two antique guns, revolver and colt. Image processing techniques based on the curvelets was used to for better evaluation of the radiographs. The results show that radiography provides good information in revealing the internal structure and the parts arrangements in the two weapons. Their processed images also provide more detailed and accrued information. Experts have confirmed the radiographic information in the two guns and their internal structure and defects and and also confirmed the efficiency of the “curvelet” wavelet method for the definition increasing of the images up to 25%.