Aaron_Little
.300 member
Reged: 25/09/13
Posts: 109
Loc: Newark, TX
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I wanted to run some possibilities by the group. On another forum a member came up with an idea to use the Sarco/Demoulin actions for a "rifle special". Not a bad idea...
My past experience was gained from learning a good basic foundation at gunsmithing school, then further expansion and refining of my work was done working alongside Bailey Bradshaw for three years doing double gun work.
My initial ideas were to do a rifle styled after the highly desired pre-war Rigby. To make it a "Special" at a lower cost we need to standardize some things. We could do one smaller caliber then one larger. Something like .275 Ribgy, then .375 H&H or .404? I would be making two different sized stocks to use as patterns, the barrel contours would all need to be the same. Barrel contours would also be styled after Rigby.
Rifle specs:
-Sarco action w/bolt handle mod
-Rigby pattern barrels cut to customer spec
-Rigby pattern stock cut to customer LOP(Drop measurements would need to be standard, neutral cast, no cheekpiece)
-oil finished stock
-$400 budget for Turkish or English walnut(quarter-sawn only)
-Subdued point pattern checkering 24lpi
-English style barrel mounted iron sights
-QR scope rings
-Barrel mounted sling base w/butt stock sling base
-Wiebe or NECG trap door grip cap
-Wiebe checkered butt plate or recoil pad?
-slow rust blued metal
-caliber engraving only
-Rifles would be warrantied for 5yrs and come with a program where the owner can send it back for a free refinishing once in the rifles life.
-$5,500 if we can get 6 or more orders. The large caliber would be slightly more expensive.
Theres things we can do to lower the cost if committed parties agree; drop the expensive grip cap and butt plate, hot caustic blue instead of rust blue, etc...
-We could also add some subdued hand engraving on the rifle for additional cost.
-Customers can also add money for a higher wood budget.
-We can also come up with a scope to include in the package. Rings could then be made so scopes are mounted low as possible.
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A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC.
Michael08TDK@yahoo.com
682-554-0044
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Aaron_Little
.300 member
Reged: 25/09/13
Posts: 109
Loc: Newark, TX
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Here's some picture of my past work by request.
Here is a 9.3x74R I did 100% of the stock work on and built/regulated the barrels on:
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A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC.
Michael08TDK@yahoo.com
682-554-0044
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Aaron_Little
.300 member
Reged: 25/09/13
Posts: 109
Loc: Newark, TX
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.303 double I also did all the stock work on:
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A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC.
Michael08TDK@yahoo.com
682-554-0044
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Aaron_Little
.300 member
Reged: 25/09/13
Posts: 109
Loc: Newark, TX
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A .45-70 I did most of the work on excluding the initial rough machining of the action, the Damascus parts were a combination of labor between Bailey and I:
(cell phone pics)
Heres that .45-70 match rifle all finished up.
The customer requested a damascus grip cap, butt plate, and forend inlay for his single shot .45-70.
We didnt have any billets, so away we go...
I didnt get enough pictures of the process.
First step is to layer your dissimular steels. In this case we used 1018, 1084, and L6; 19 layers to be exact.
You must stack the steel first, then weld the seams. After welding the seams the billet goes into the forge to be forge welded and pressed. Bars are drawn out in our hydrolic press to a length of 22" or so.
Once cooled down we cut the billet into 5ths, about 4" in length each. For proper forge welding and end result you also must remove all slag from the previous time spent in the forge. Since we started with 19 layers and cut it into 5ths, we then stack the billets which will result in 95ish layers. before going into the forge we weld the seams agian
The forge welding, drawing into a bar, cutting, removing slag, and stacking happens agin. This result in a billet with 475 layers. At the end we press the bar in the hydrolic press using a special die that looks like gear teeth. this draws the steel grain structure into a ladder style pattern. You'll see below on a butt plate what im talking about.
billet being cut into 5ths after the first forging process:
billets cut and starting to remove slag
billet on the welding bench for arc welding. seams on the sides and ends are welded
Way on down the road turned into grip cap and forend inlay. Just after etching:
Grip cap heat colored and lacquered(bad picture):
Butt plate made, heat colored, and lacquered. the damascus shows up great!:
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A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC.
Michael08TDK@yahoo.com
682-554-0044
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DarylS
.700 member
Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 27691
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
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So beautiful - thank you for posting these pictures - stunning!
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Daryl
"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V
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93x64mm
.416 member
Reged: 07/12/11
Posts: 4410
Loc: Nth QLD Australia
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Wow, never seen a double falling block!
More than just a conversation piece that's for sure; would love to spend a few $ on one - but you'd see my obituary in the paper the next day!
Speaking of such, I will be sneaking in an old M1892 in .32-20 into my gun cupboard in a few months, nothing fancy but a not a bad shooter from a mate who know's the rifle.
Not sure if it has the old ladder rear sight off hand, but if anyone out there knows where they can be picked up from (reproduction also) it will be more than appreciated.
If only I could win that damn lotto!
Cheers
93x64mm
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Jorge_in_Oz
.224 member
Reged: 05/03/09
Posts: 22
Loc: Victoria, Australia
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Awesome work.
Thanks for sharing.
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“The Germans brought the best hunting rifle to the war. The Americans brought the best target rifle. The British brought the best battle rifle!”
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Waidmannsheil
.416 member
Reged: 19/04/13
Posts: 2517
Loc: Melbourne Australia
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Beautiful work, fantastic rifles.
Waidmannsheil.
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There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.
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gryphon
.450 member
Reged: 01/01/03
Posts: 5487
Loc: Sambar ground/Victoria/Austral...
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Exquisito!
Truly stunning,please Santa send me one of the first!
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Get off the chair away from the desk and get out in the bush and enjoy life.
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dracb
.300 member
Reged: 28/02/13
Posts: 134
Loc: British Columbia
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What is the rear sight on the 303 rifle and where can they be acquired?
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"The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are now outnumbered by those who vote for a living."
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Aaron_Little
.300 member
Reged: 25/09/13
Posts: 109
Loc: Newark, TX
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That ghost ring was a one-off sight made by Bailey Bradshaw. Since that one wasn't adjustable it was made for that specific gun. He might make one that is adjustable for elevation and windage in the future. It attaches via Talley dimension dovetails. Bailey's contact info can be seen on his website:
www.bradshawgunandrifle.com
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A.M. Little Bespoke Gunmakers LLC.
Michael08TDK@yahoo.com
682-554-0044
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Nailcreek
.300 member
Reged: 13/08/08
Posts: 150
Loc: Saukville, WI, USA
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Wow .... beautiful work!!!
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Veni, Vedici, Veggie ... I came, I saw, I had a salad.
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