Huckleberry Finn
Senior Member
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Best Gun Smith
- Thread starter CJD3
- Start date
Thanks Huck. I believe I have 3 good leads with these gentlemen. All have experience working on a falling block, breech loading gun. I have to decide the caliber since the original is no longer made ( The rifle was probably a Gibbs /Metford .461 No2, a propriety Black powder round. It would have had Metfords accelerated twist segmental rifling and would have shot either 570 grain paper patched bullets or the 360 grain patched express bullet.)
I realize this has been an unusual request for the forum and appreciate the input from each of you that posted.
If anyone else has a thought, please speak up. These guys are running between 10 and 18 months before my turn would come up so I have a little time yet.
I realize this has been an unusual request for the forum and appreciate the input from each of you that posted.
If anyone else has a thought, please speak up. These guys are running between 10 and 18 months before my turn would come up so I have a little time yet.
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Do just want a modern caliber barrel installed or bring it back to original? The reason I ask it doesn't take much skill to in stall a barrel.
The friend I use is no well known name but has always done me right. Just slow. But he knows I'm not in a hurry and as a friend he doesn't charge me near enough.
How about a picture of the gun?
Also to you want a new barrel put on or a liner installed?
Here's a picture of a Ruger #1 that was a 30-06 that I had him convert to a 22LR. We kept the original Ruger barrel and installed a match grade 22LR liner. He lowered the original firing pin to hit on the 22LR rim. It shoots one hole groups at 25 yds. for a custom squirrel rifle.
I just got my custom Winchester 52 back from him. He made me a rear scope base to fit in the receiver sight cutout so I can install a modern scope. Notice the custom double set triggers. The rifle was put into a Stoegers 1930's custom stock and the triggers were probably installed at that time. With a modern scope it'll be another of my special squirrel rifles.
The friend I use is no well known name but has always done me right. Just slow. But he knows I'm not in a hurry and as a friend he doesn't charge me near enough.
How about a picture of the gun?
Also to you want a new barrel put on or a liner installed?
Here's a picture of a Ruger #1 that was a 30-06 that I had him convert to a 22LR. We kept the original Ruger barrel and installed a match grade 22LR liner. He lowered the original firing pin to hit on the 22LR rim. It shoots one hole groups at 25 yds. for a custom squirrel rifle.
I just got my custom Winchester 52 back from him. He made me a rear scope base to fit in the receiver sight cutout so I can install a modern scope. Notice the custom double set triggers. The rifle was put into a Stoegers 1930's custom stock and the triggers were probably installed at that time. With a modern scope it'll be another of my special squirrel rifles.
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Ohiosam
*Supporting Member*
Jim, I thought of one outside Cincinnati. Jack Haugh in Milan Indiana.
http://www.manta.com/c/mm7ktyw/haugh-custom-guns
Is son, Cole worked on one of my SxS. I saw some of the stuff jack was working on, top notch work. Jack is getting old but check him out.
http://www.manta.com/c/mm7ktyw/haugh-custom-guns
Is son, Cole worked on one of my SxS. I saw some of the stuff jack was working on, top notch work. Jack is getting old but check him out.
Couple pictures of the Winchester 52 with double set triggers and 1930's Stoeger stock.
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Those are very cool MK! You should re-post em in the "Gun Porn" thread!
http://www.theohiooutdoors.com/showthread.php?114-As-my-wife-says-Gun-Porn!
Here is what I'm talking about;
http://www.theohiooutdoors.com/showthread.php?114-As-my-wife-says-Gun-Porn!
Here is what I'm talking about;
I'm all over the place.
First I wanted the orgional. - .461 No. 2
Gibbs said that was no longer an option and said the only alternative would be to rebarrel it in 450 3¼” Black powder express.
Then I started kicking around a .375 Mag. but I'm told I can (should) step it down to a .375 "flanged"
I'm not sure if that's going to limit me any as the .375 Mag can take down ANY thing that walks the earth...
I know the "straight wall/Ohio" thing is tempting TOO but I'm not sure I want to limit the gun to something like a 45/70 when It started out such a grand caliber.
Somewhere before I came along, a Browning 20 gage barrel was put on and the gun and the original has been lost to time. I have hunted bunnies and deer with that gun as a boy having no idea of its history, value or original configuration. In my 20's was the first point I became aware of its history and have spent the last 35 years looking for a Gibbs barrel or wondering what to do with her all the while feeling she deserved to be restored to some realm of original style with the possibly an old American caliber or African/big/dangerous game caliber...
So you see its not an easy decision...its been on my bucket list long enough.
First I wanted the orgional. - .461 No. 2
Gibbs said that was no longer an option and said the only alternative would be to rebarrel it in 450 3¼” Black powder express.
Then I started kicking around a .375 Mag. but I'm told I can (should) step it down to a .375 "flanged"
I'm not sure if that's going to limit me any as the .375 Mag can take down ANY thing that walks the earth...
I know the "straight wall/Ohio" thing is tempting TOO but I'm not sure I want to limit the gun to something like a 45/70 when It started out such a grand caliber.
Somewhere before I came along, a Browning 20 gage barrel was put on and the gun and the original has been lost to time. I have hunted bunnies and deer with that gun as a boy having no idea of its history, value or original configuration. In my 20's was the first point I became aware of its history and have spent the last 35 years looking for a Gibbs barrel or wondering what to do with her all the while feeling she deserved to be restored to some realm of original style with the possibly an old American caliber or African/big/dangerous game caliber...
So you see its not an easy decision...its been on my bucket list long enough.
Wow what a history that rifle went through. Someone treated it as a tool when they installed the shotgun barrel.
My friend can re-barrel it but he can't taper turn the barrel so it would have to be a straight diameter.
Not sure but it's possible to make a switch barrel out of it and have different calibers. If you keep the same case head there is only a need for one extractor. Something to think about.
My friend can re-barrel it but he can't taper turn the barrel so it would have to be a straight diameter.
Not sure but it's possible to make a switch barrel out of it and have different calibers. If you keep the same case head there is only a need for one extractor. Something to think about.
File this under "Unbelievable- what are the odds"
Gibbs in Bristol, England contacted me to say they may have found the original barrel and forend wood! They have asked me to get some measurements.
Its a .577 BP Express!
Good God that's a big round. 520 gr. @ 1700 FPS.
Gibbs in Bristol, England contacted me to say they may have found the original barrel and forend wood! They have asked me to get some measurements.
Its a .577 BP Express!
Good God that's a big round. 520 gr. @ 1700 FPS.
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Glad to hear CJD. I hope it works out and you can get that barrel for it. That would be so awesome to see it all back in order.
I didn't post anything helpful only because I no longer know anybody that has a good reputation for gunsmithing anymore. Last time I had work done on any guns was well over 20 years ago. Still looking for a good smithy to fix my firing pin on my single shot 20ga I haven't shot in probably close to that 20 year mark lol.
I didn't post anything helpful only because I no longer know anybody that has a good reputation for gunsmithing anymore. Last time I had work done on any guns was well over 20 years ago. Still looking for a good smithy to fix my firing pin on my single shot 20ga I haven't shot in probably close to that 20 year mark lol.
Huckleberry Finn
Senior Member
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- 135
Wow - finally got to see the Gibbs.
If you get it redone in .577, I'll pay your ticket after you kill an Ohio deer with it!
If you get it redone in .577, I'll pay your ticket after you kill an Ohio deer with it!
Just give him the money for a PA tag lol. He is there a lot anyway so might as well blast one there
What started out slow has turned into a great story on that rifle!!!! Holy smokes .577!!!! Thats a two streak gun when you shoot it. One where your feet were planted and the other in your shorts lol!!! Glad its working out for ya. Can't wait to see it when its brought back to life.
Update...
Well the barrel Gibbs had will not fit after all the measuring was done. I'm back to square 1.
I am told the 375 is probably to much pressure and am considering the 450 BPE as an alternative.
I'm disappointed the barrel was not "the one" but the odds of it being the original after all those years was really a long shot anyway.
Well the barrel Gibbs had will not fit after all the measuring was done. I'm back to square 1.
I am told the 375 is probably to much pressure and am considering the 450 BPE as an alternative.
I'm disappointed the barrel was not "the one" but the odds of it being the original after all those years was really a long shot anyway.
Bummer. I was hoping to see an update where this worked out perfectly. Good luck in your search.
Ohiosam
*Supporting Member*
Dang, that sucks.
I'm a little surprised they said that action can't handle .375h&h. I know it's an 1880's action but lots of similar aged American actions are rechambered to cartridges that run similar pressures.
I'm a little surprised they said that action can't handle .375h&h. I know it's an 1880's action but lots of similar aged American actions are rechambered to cartridges that run similar pressures.