Rook rifles were once very popular here in Britain but few were made after about the end of the First World War; most being made in the 1880's. The vast majority were made for the trade by a handful of Birmingham makers. They were falling from popularity long before the Firearms Act of 1937 brought rifles onto certificate requirements. Ammunition continued to be made but it was cheaper to go out and buy a .22rf. and use that. A lot were converted to .410 mainly because of the cost of ammunition and the need to show a requirement for owning it to conform with the legislation. The ones converted to .410 often had the octagonal barrel turned down to the round for the last 2/3rds. of the length making them a bit more handy as a shotgun. A friend in the trade will reline the barrels; if they are still octagonal, and chamber them for .32 S&W or a similar round which is very like the original in performance. I have one rook rifle with the name Ebrall Bros. on which was converted to .410 and the barrel turned down to round for 2/3rds. its length. It shoots well. Looking at the Proof Marks the work was carried out in 1939/40. I have two in original form; one in .300 and one in .360. Ironically, they are now classed as antiques and can be bought and sold without restriction if they are not intended for use. If used they just need to go on a firearms Certificate. Original ones are now quite sought after. I shoot a competition that has an annual meet for just these type of rifles and some real gems come out. Anyone interested in further information on these guns might be interested in getting hold of a copy of The Classic British Rook & Rabbit Rifle by Colin Greenwood. Lagopus.....
