doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Who to Restore a Swinburn's Patent Martini?

After more than seven years, the gunsmith I hired in 2017 to restore a Swinburn's Patent Martini has informed me that he is returning the rifle and my deposit and not charging me for any of the work he did on the rifle. For that reason, I will not name him, seeing that despite the delay he's done all he can to make me whole. And no, I won't name him in a private message, either.

So, at age 71 I'm back to square one. I don't know what remains to be done on the rifle (I've asked for a list when it's returned), but I would like to get it back to functional order before I depart for that great range in the hereafter.

I realize these are not particularly common anywhere and even rarer here in the U.S. Can anyone recommend someone who might be familiar enough with late 19th century British sporting rifles that he (or she) might undertake to complete the work on mine and put it back into service?

Thank you.

Rem

I'd start by asking Gunter Prfommer down in Rocky Mount, Virginia.

Pfrommergunworks@hotmail.com
www.pfrommergunworks.us
540 484-5555



He has a well known reputation for work on 19th century doubles in the area of NC and Va. But when I was last down there in February 2024 he was working on a Thompson. I think he can do about everything. The Swinburn had a reputation of being more fragile than the Martini....which it copied to a certain extent.
https://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=628160&page=all

This cursory comment from the Reilly history;
. . . . . Swinburn-Henry: **5a The Swinburn was similar to the Martini-Henry but differed internally quite a bit. For instance it had a thumb manipulated side lever which could cock the hammer without operating the lever. It fired the same .577/540 Martini-Henry cartridge but was more prone to breakage. It was patented in 1872 and all production was done by by Abingdon Works Co. Ltd., Birmingham. Reilly’s first advertisement for a Swinburn rifle (which he misspelled) is from October 1875. *54a1
. . . . . . . . . .-- There is one extant Reilly Swinburn from about 1885 in the Royal Armouries. It is highly engraved with a lion surrounded by fine scrollwork on the right side of the receiver and two stags on the left. It is engraved “E.M. REILLY & Co., 277 OXFORD STREET, LONDON, AMMUNITION GOV 577.450.” *54a2
https://collections.royalarmouries.org/object/rac-object-30155.html

Here is a similar Swinburn from Holts a few years ago:


Gene Williams

There is a forum member Dennis Daigger who is an expert on Martinis, he isn’t very active on the forum these days, but maybe someone here can pass on his contact information. If you search for his old posts, you will be impressed.

You might also contact Steve Bertram (SKB here). He’s a wizard with single-shot rifles.
http://www.bertramandco.com/

Thanks. I'm going to try Mr. Pfrommer first, as he is the closest to me. I could drive the rifle to him, where any of the other suggestions require shipping.

It's a good 7 hour trip to Rocky Mount, Va from north of Philly . .maybe 8 hours (from someone who has driven it 5 times from the WDC area). It might be better to mail it or Fedex it. It's an antique; no FFL needed. Unless you just want to get out of town for awhile. It's a pretty drive in Spring or Fall. But I-81 is jammed with truck traffic. Gunter's workshop and house is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. There is an art museum in Roanoke (basically a railroad town if you like trains - as you climb out of the valley you'll see 100 car coal trains pulled by 5 diesels grinding up the mountain) which is worth seeing and you'll pass a number of the Civil War Valley battlefields.
https://doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=628160&page=2

Gene Williams

Certainly would want to piss him off if you mention his name. After having your gun for seven years why would you want to

One of my friends in Houston builds scrapers buildings in less time

John
Arrieta

Initial:DT?

Argo44 (aka Gene) gave you excellent advice.

Another gunsmith I will recommend is ACGG Glenn Fewless, Mook Machine Works in Waterford, WI. He is a member here, but he doesn't post often. He specializes in fine single shot metalsmithing.

Thank you.