doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Field's patent rifle

I have recently bought a Gibbs rifle built on a Fields falling block action. It is chambered for 16g shotgun shells but was definitely a rifle. The sights have been removed but the rest of the rifle appears to be in good condition. Despite this the rifle obviously has no collectors value. I would therefore like to rebarrel it and build some sort of a custom rifle with the action. I do have concerns regarding the caliber- can the action withstand modern pressures and as the action is quite bulky, I feel it needs to be quite a substancial case. I am leaning towards a 45-70 but will appreciate some thoughts and advice from all of you. I do have some pics available but don't know how to post. If I can send them to someone who would be so kind as to post them, I will appreciate it.

Charls,

Gibbs made a few 'Field Patent' rifles in 0.461" No.2 Gibbs calibre, and possibly in other calibers, most of which are likely to be obsolete today. It may be possible to trace the original calibre if you have the Serial No. In fact the calibre may be stamped in the action somewhere, if you look hard enough. If you can ascertain the serial no., it may be possible to trace the original calibre your action was chambered for. If you cannot or are unwilling to have it re-barrelled it to the original calibre, then select a cartridge of approximately the same calibre that is available from ammunition manufacturers today. 45/70 does seem a likely calibre for todays usage although it is highly unlikely the Gibbs Action was ever chambered for it.
{I have little doubt that my Internet friend Gert Claes (MartiniBelgium) will chime in here}.

If you think it has no value, think again. British Single Shot Rifle Actions are much sort after. I'd love to make you an offer for the action alone, but I don't think I could afford it. lol.

Restoring this action to it's original condition with the correct barrel contour and the right sights and stock shape would increase it's value considerably. If you cannot be bothered to go along this route, I am willing to take it off you for a reasonable sum, heck I'll even pay the postage. PMSL.

Harry.

Charls & Harry, there was one example of what appears to be a British adaptation of a US cartridge. I don't have my COTW handy for the details but I recall that it was a duplicate of the 45-90 WCF AKA the 45 2 4/10" Sharps. Some sort of target cartridge IIRC.
Regards, Joe

There is a Field actioned Thomas Bland & Sons rifle listed in the for sale section of the Martini & Hagn Gunmakers web site in .303 British. The rifle has a full ribbed barrel.

Kirton notes Field actioned rifles in .303 British, .450/400-2 3/8" Express, .450-3 1/4" Express. .461 Gibbs and .500 No. 2 Express.

The .303 British would be the cartridge to use if you wish to re-barrel the action to a period cartridge with the least amount of agrivation.

Bill

If you can find someone to RELINE that Gibbs to .303, that would be the simplest way to restore it to an appropriate chambering. PacNor barrels (in WA, OR????) used to make .303 barrels. If they still do, a skilled gunsmith could use one of their blanks to make a liner, assuming there is enough "meat" on the remaining Gibbs barrel to allow a thick enough liner to be fitted. That would have the merit of allowing you to use the original forearm, and simply find appropriate sights to replace the ones originally on the rifle (probably not a simple thing to do, but not impossible, either).

This job would require a gunsmith with sufficient cojones and confidence to do a liner for a relatively high pressure ctg. (some won't) and who will take the trouble to find or rent a .303 reamer (no common but available). Possibly someone on this forum knows such a hero. I would like to know who would do the work, since I have a beat Ruger 1A 7x57 with a 16 1/2" barrel (Thanks, Bubba!) that is aching for a 28" .303 barrel (probably not a reline, tho).

The next easiest thing to do would be a reline to .32-40--seveal guys can/will do that. And the chambering is not unknown in British rifles, although I don't know about Gibbs.

Good luck and let us know how the project proceeds; I envy you the opportunity to restore your Field!

MIke talk to J.D. Steele on the the site. He has done a lot of great work for me. He is retired now but still likes interesting projects.Smile He has just completed a Fildes Paten for me with perfect workman ship.Whitey

Thanks, Whitey. I'll contact him, pull the "7x57 stub," and see what I can part with to finance the .303.

Charls, I apologize for my earlier post; didn't notice that you are in SA. Recommendation on reline still holds, but can't help you on source for .303 blank or gunsmiths in SA. Still, wish you well on the project!

The Field is a pretty strong action - amply strong for most rounds, actually. It also is pretty simple, consisting of few parts. I would call it the Brit Hiwall, being at the very least conceptually as good.
As to cartridges, .303 is period correct, but most were chambered either as a hunting rifle in some (BP or nitro) express cartridges (take your pick), or as match rifle in rounds like #2 Musket, and I presume even 577-450. Of course, such an action deserves to be chambered for a period-correct Brit round. I for one would have no qualms as to its solidity, it would be one of the few actions with external hammer I would like to have.
To put things in perspective, the Field action was used by quite a few famous names in the Trade to build rifles (Holland & Holland, Greener,...) so it was quite well thought of.

Joe, I believe it was Rigby who used the .45 2.4" and gave it a Brit name - shame on him!

I have now had the opportunity to examine the rifle (no 1292)properly- The original caliber was 461 Gibbs, the barrel 33" Metford no 1325. At some stage someone must have bored it out to 16g and modified the extractor to suit. Unfortunately the original sights are missing. It has provision for a venier type sight on the tang which seems to indicate that it was a target rifle. I reckon lining the barrel and then possibly going for the 577/450, which is very popular here in S.A. The exterior condition of the barrel is good and has a very attractive profile/look.
Regards,
Charl

Charls,

Contact Mike Neumann in Jo'burg, he can help you with a replica sight. As to calibre, beware of 577-450, a reamer to the original specs might be a bit "iffy" if you are trying to get match accuracy. #2 Musket, aside from being period-correct, would be a wiser choice.