doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com customized '85 Winchester

Is there any historical precedence for a bolt-on pistol grip being added to a straight-grip highwall? I am aware of the bolt on grips on 77 Sharps and 74 Sharps and trapdoors and misc Germanic rifles, but I have never seen the same added to a Winchester Singleshot. I would like to find something that would have some history to it rather than just making something up, which I can do quite well, but w/o the same satisfaction. For some reason, suddenly, I want to be a copycat. I am NOT interested in the various Schuetzen style levers, and I have a few Helm-style levers which work very well. But I want something different, if it existed.

Any suggestions would be welcome and and photos would be wonderful.

I suppose I should ask the same thing about straight-grip Ballard actions as well; just in case one should fall into my lap....

Brent

In prewar days an occasional Ballard .22 smallbore prone match rifle had a wood grip screwed to the lever, quite ugly.

I don't recall ever seeing a ad-on pistol grip on an 1885. I have one on my trapdoor (common) but that's it.

When first making my own version of an add-on 1885 PG, I searched for examples to use for inspiration. Didn't find any except the Sharps and the trapdoor, none at all for the 1885.

I start with a 1"x1"x2" block of ebony or rosewood, makes a gratifyingly full grip, slightly fuller than the Sharps while not being too bulky as with the trapdoor. Leaves just enough room for the shooter's fingers behind the issue lazy-S lever. Sorry no pics but am working on one now and can provide pics later if wanted. Good luck.
Regards, Joe

Joe,
I've made one for a Sharps using Sonoran Desert Ironwood. It works about like ebony.

I'd be interested in the pictures of yours. Mine is similar to the one that Shiloh sells for a couple Benjamins. I was thinking there might be one or two well known custom gunmakers that would have done this to highwalls as a bit of signature work. I suppose if it was in the style of most mid-20th Century varmint rifles made from the Winchester, I would not be too interested, but I'm just fishing for ideas. Eventually, I'll have to fish for an action to put it on...

I've seen a couple of high-walls with the tail of the standard lever flattened and reshaped slightly to support a lever-mounted "pistol grip" lump. I've never thought they were very attractive, but "pretty is as pretty does!" One of my shooting buds has a lever so modified, but the wooden addition, alas, was missing when he got it.

Froggie

I did a rosewood one for Ben Shelor a few years ago but didn't photo it. He posted a pic on either this forum or the Accurate Reloading one, I'll try to find it.

Meanwhile right now I'm doing one in ebony for a Schuetzen shooter's straight-grip low wall. It will attach through the original wood screw hole with a VERY long wood screw having a sling swivel stud on the end, or not, as the owner desires. Will post a pic when completely roughed out.
Regards, Joe

Joe I think Ben also poted a picture On ASSRA. Whitey

Joe,
I'm interested in seeing pictures when you have them. I'm looking for something reasonably elegant while functional. Definitely not interested in a utilitarian broomstick.

Whitey, anything on the ASSRA is dead to me. And probably Joe. We ain't considered welcome (to put it mildly) as you over there, remember?

Brent I rember. Smile and I don't think anyone could ever find it anyway anymore. Whitey