The barrels are brazed and jointed to the frame and the knuckle radius is cut. Everything you've ever heard about the rising bite action being the most challenging to build and fit is absolutely true. As far as the hose clamps not being traditional, I agree but they provide a hell of a lot more clamping force than wrapped black iron wire at the temperature at which the breeches are brazed. The blocks on the sides of the barrels are temporarily soft-soldered in place and machined parallel to the lumps and barrel flats. They are to facilitate clamping in the milling machine and bench vise.