Method and apparatus for inspecting the barrel of a firearm

An inspection device for evaluating an inside surface of a barrel of a firearm, the firearm having a chamber into which ammunition is normally loaded, the inspection device comprising:

• a casing having a first end and a second end;
• light producing means contained within the casing for directing light from the first end of the casing;
• a battery housed within the casing;
• means for establishing an electrical circuit between the light producing means and the battery when the inspection device is introduced into the chamber of the firearm;
• and
• a light diffusion assembly including an annular portion connected to the first end of the casing through which light may pass, and an opaque cap portion connected to the annular portion through which light may not pass;
• whereby when the inspection device is introduced into the chamber of the firearm, the electrical circuit between the light producing means and the battery is established, light being directed by the light producing means from the first end of the casing, the light emanating substantially through the annular portion of the light diffusion assembly to fall radially on the inside surface of the barrel, thereby facilitating visual inspection of the barrel without blinding an eye of an observer.

A method of inspecting and lubricating an inside surface of a barrel of a firearm, the firearm having a chamber into which ammunition is normally loaded, the method comprising:

• providing an illumination assembly including a casing having a first end and a second end, the illumination assembly having light producing means contained within the casing for direction light form the first end of the casing, a battery housed within the casing, and means or establishing an electrical circuit between the light producing means and the battery when the illumination assembly is introduced into the chamber of the firearm;
• providing a light diffusion assembly on the illumination assembly, the light diffusion assembly including an angular portion connected that first end of the illumination assembly through which light may pass, and a cap portion connected to the annular portion through which light may not pass;
• introducing the illumination assembly and the light diffusion assembly into the chamber of the firearm, whereby the electrical circuit between the light producing means and the battery is established, light being directed by the light producing means form the first end of the casing, the light emanating substantially through the annular portion of the light diffusion assembly to fall radially on the inside surface of the barel so that an eye of an observer is not blinked thereby;
• inspecting the inside surface of the barrel while the light falls thereon;
• and
• lubricating the inside surface of the barel while the illuminating assembly is positioned within the chamber.