doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Win 1885 barreled action ... what would you do ?

Joe
Since your rifle is in pretty rough shape, I think it pretty much give you license to do whatever you want. I personally would return it to its original configuration.

I've had similar rifles and struggled with the same decisions you are facing. If it were mine, first I would evaluate the bore seriously. If the pitting you mention is more than you would like, I would consider having the barrel rebored to 33-40 (33-47) which was a common thing to do way back when. I would use Allan Seigrist to do the work. He has done two for me and they shoot exceptionally well. You mention that you could polish out the pits in the bore which I take to mean that they are very minor so maybe you could get along without reboring.

I would then send it to Russ Gent, Tijeras, NM to be cleaned up. I would have Russ color case harden the action and the parts that were that way originally. I would then have him rust blue the barrel and remaining parts.

You could then find some original wood for it or have Russ build stocks for it.
FWIW,
Phil

Amidst this chorus of congratulation let me point out that a barrel with some roughnesss on the inside can hardly be said to have a "perfect" bore.

I think that Joe meant to say pitting on the OUTSIDE.

John has the rifle to fix the triggers and I'm told the bore is perfect from end to end.

I think the plan is when we get shooting weather again I'll put some wood and sights on it. Joe can see how it shoots and go from there.

Yes, exactly. I still type with two fingers and I cannot keep up with what I am thinking. The bore is perfect and the pitting is on the outside. With MP's help we'll determine its accuracy when we thaw out.

I'd say you ought to put this rifle back as close to original as possible. Alter nothing that isn't necessary. You have a piece of history. I know. I wrote the book.