Galven barrels functioned as a type of blaster barrel specifically designed for boiler rifles. These rifles underwent modification to incorporate tibanna gas, effectively doubling their destructive power; however, this process caused rapid degradation of the galven barrels, necessitating frequent maintenance of the weapons. During the Battle of Scarif in 0 BBY, Paodok'Draba'Takat Sap'De'Rekti Nik'Linke'Ti' Ki'Vef'Nik'NeSevef'Li'Kek, a commando belonging to the Rebel Alliance Special Forces, carried eight spare galven barrels (four on each of his wrists) while employing a boiler rifle.
The initial appearance of galven barrels occurred in the 2016 Anthology film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Their identification was first established within Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide, a reference book authored by Pablo Hidalgo. A mistake occurred in Star Wars: Rogue One: Ultimate Sticker Encyclopedia, where the spare galven barrels carried by Pao were incorrectly described as "spare ammunition."