aldivalloch Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Can anyone advise on the following? I have a hammerless boxlock ejector built in the 1890's by Webley and retailed by Army & Navy. Originally .300 Rook, it was converted to .410 before coming into my ownership. Still has its octagonal barrel - apparently quite a lot were rounded down to reduce weight - and is a very high quality gun in excellent condition. It really deserves to be a rifle again. I believe that at one time there were gunsmiths around who could retube to a suitable calibre (in this case .22 Hornet would be ideal). Can anyone tell me if it's still possible to have this done, and, if so, who might do it for me? Yes, I know it's daft and potentially horribly expensive, but I like vintage guns and this one has sentimental value and brings back a lot of memories of old times with people who have departed this life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeker Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 From memory this has been raised before .... there is/was a process to sleeve .22 rifles and Brownells.(com) catalogue lists "liners". If you want a starter for 10, try a call to Nigel Teague, i suspect he could rebore a gnat, let alone a hornet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daveo26 Posted January 4, 2011 Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Would'nt any decent gun smith/custom rifle builder be able to re-barrel it? Or do you actually want the existing tube boring out and a liner fitting like a sleeved shotgun barrel? Iv never heard of that on a rifle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aldivalloch Posted January 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2011 Thanks for your suggestions, both. I remember having a discussion about tubing some years ago with a gunmaker. He explained the process - cylinder-bore the existing barrel, then turn down a new rifled barrel to fit precisely inside, solder it in, and modify the ejector/extractor. I got the impression that he didn't consider it a particularly hard a job for a skilled person with the right tools; unfortunately he was far too busy to take on the job himself as he was up to his eyes with work. Just for the record, I've been able to research this gun, as Glasgow University has Army & Navy's sales ledgers in its archives. It was sold on 13th April 1898 for £10.7s.6d and a few days later the purchaser came back for an identical model, this time in .250 cal., at the same price! Must have had plenty money, as if you go by wage rates, the current equivalent of £10.7s.6d is somewhere between £4,500 and £5,000. Holland & Holland sold the same gun with better wood and slightly more engraving as their "Royal" model (beatifully illustrated in Colin Greenwood's excellent book, "The Classic British Rook & Rabbit Rifle".) I'll try getting in touch with Nigel Teague, but if anyone has any other suggestions I'd be glad to have them. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave 101 Posted January 6, 2011 Report Share Posted January 6, 2011 Hi I have heard of a guy in Essex who converts .303 Enfields to .22 , I believe by sleeving , his name is Terry Abrahams , in the Dunmow area , a bit elusive to get hold of at times though . Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodit Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 (edited) You have PM, look at www.greenwoodgunsmiths.co.uk top bloke who does good work regards sodit Edited January 7, 2011 by sodit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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