500grains
.416 member
Reged: 16/02/04
Posts: 4732
Loc: Salt Lake City, Utah USA
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image courtesy of Harald Wolfe
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333Jeffery
.300 member
Reged: 21/04/06
Posts: 103
Loc: Florida
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I always thought that the Newton rifles (and cartridges) deserved to be brought back. Charles Newton was decades ahead of his time. The "interupted thread" bolt was a brilliant design, long before Weatherby's Mark V action. Thanks for posting this.
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500Nitro
.450 member
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 7244
Loc: Victoria, Australia
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Is someone actually going to make these again and bring them to market ?
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pjaln
.375 member
Reged: 08/06/06
Posts: 711
Loc: massachusetts ,U.S.A.
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i looks like harold wolf is ,,did you notice it says newton/belgium harold wolf writes hatari times and is also a great gunsmith....paul
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9.3x57
.450 member
Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5561
Loc: United States
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This was posted a while back.
I agree that a modern Newton could be a truly inovative design in what is well-trodden ground.
The takedown feature, really quality manufacture. Might even have true mass production appeal. Use the modern beltless magnums or the true-blue Newton rounds.
I just got done reading the Newton book and gotta say, I like that character. Hammerhead of a cuss, and truly had a cloud following him around {way before his time} but a giant in the history of the Gun. Deserved better!
-------------------- What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
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simonsaorsa
.300 member
Reged: 11/05/06
Posts: 172
Loc: UK
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Just got an email from Harald Wolf, saying he has had very serious back problems which have laid him low and kept him from work, but he seems to be on the mend somewhat now.
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mehulkamdar
.416 member
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 3688
Loc: State of Ill-Annoy USA.
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Simonsaorsa,
He seems to have been ailing for some time as there has been very little activity on his website as well. I hope he recovers soon. A gunmaking genius and an incredibly fine writer like him shouldn't be confined to his bed.
-------------------- The Ark was made by amateurs. Experts built the Titanic.
Mehul Kamdar
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JabaliHunter
.400 member
Reged: 16/05/07
Posts: 1958
Loc: England
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9,3 - sent you an email
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Riflemanusmc
.224 member
Reged: 04/01/09
Posts: 32
Loc: Montana
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The .30 and .35 Newton's can be made from 8x68S brass. FWIW
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xausa
.400 member
Reged: 07/03/07
Posts: 2037
Loc: Tennessee, USA
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I have five Newtons kicking around,some in original configuration, others not. It is evidently unusual to find a Newton with matching numbers. None of mine are completely matching. Two had Springfield barrels when I got them. I don't know if they were replacement barrels, or barrels Newton used when the supply of German barrels dried up with the start of WW I.
On the plus side is the unique takedown system and the bolt handle cleared for low scope mounting. In that respect it resembles the Krag. Not so good is the safety. It works well with a low scope, but the operation is counterintuitive. Pull to the rear to unlock, push forward to lock. The multi-lug bolt is of dubious merit. I haven't checked, but I doubt that more than two of the multiple lugs are really engaging.
The streamlined receiver is a plus, the set trigger works well, if you like set triggers (I do). The floorplate release is like that of the Model 70 Winchester, on the cantankerous side, but generally stays latched.
The stocks tend to split behind the recoil lug, especially in the larger calibers. I don't own a .35 Newton, but my .30 Newton's stock is split. The stock is on the light side for a cartridge that powerful, although it is perfect for the .256 Newton, my favorite of all the Newton cartridges.
The flat top sections on the receiver ring and bridge are ideal for scope mounts, but are not drilled and tapped. Considering when these rifles were built and the availability of scopes, this is hardly surprising. Two of my rifles have Zeiss Zielklein scopes in Redfield Senior mounts.
In short, reverse the safety, reinforce the stock, drill and tap the receivers, assemble the actions with all matching numbers and lapped in bolt lugs, and offer an alternative to the set trigger and you have a thoroughly modern rifle.
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