doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Best Gunsmiths for Sleeving Barrels

OC,
Then you know what you have to do. I think Kirk Merrington's work will fit your budget and he's just a couple states away in TX. He was very helpful with tips when I was doing one myself. http://www.kirkmerrington.net/

Since your ribs would likely be completely replaced, be sure to ask, which ever gunsmith you chose, about his capabilities regarding the rib height, width, matting etc.. Most gunsmiths will only have the ability to do a hand chased, file cut, pattern on the matting. Galazan has matting equipment, but I don't know if he does sleeving. Doug Turnbull seems to be very resourceful and may be able to get some other type of matting done. He may also take on the sleeving. Worth a call.

I've heard the Parker guys say very good things about Brad Bachelder 616-459-3636 http://www.bacheldermastergunmakers.com/Bachelder_Master_Gunmakers/Welcome.html

This guy now owns the Winchester matting machine that Andy W use to own. I have not used him, but it is of interest.

http://www.cnygunworks.com/page/page/6999971.htm

Colonel, is it possible that the engraver of your gun is "SCHOFFENIELS" ??
Marc.

Changing a rib will depend on what ribs are available from the manufactures of barrel components.To have a rib made to an exact specification is vey costly.Buy worry not. A new bottom rib is no problem ,and I have succsesfuly extended top ribs on many occasions. There is the age old problem if the original has been engine turned as even if the same machine still existed the chances of getting a good match are very slim . But there are ways round this .

With a highly engraved gun it would not be unusual to have some engraving at the muzzle. In that case, I have seen some guns with engraving on the rib the last few inches to the muzzle in lieu of the rib pattern on other parts of the rib. I think this could work here and be quite nice.

OC: I think your most recent post on this thread indicates the way you should go.

Yes it is a "SCHOFFENIELS" engraved Louis Christophe (Jules Bury made) gun as is my matching 16. I dearly love the 16 and was happy as hell to get the 12 despited the barrel and stock issues

The 16 does not have muzzle engraving and I doubt the 12 did before it was cut off.

I am basically down to determing who will sleeve it and have to put some thought into the replacement of the rib in terms of what style of rib and matting. (my initial gut is to go with a straightforward game rib similar to what it has now)

Is Sleeving really ever undetectable,as in seamless?
I have a sleeved Greener hammer gun, its damn good ,done across the pond, but you can see the joint,.if you know where to look, but you have to look hard.
I just wondered how good the best of the best were.
I always notice the action shots of sleeved guns never quite show enough barrel @ the breech ...or perhaps they were seamless !
I just wondered if some sleeve jobs were like, totally invisable, Dude??

cheers
Franc

I have some really good sleeving job done by Nick Makinson

The external seams can be welded...there's still other ways to tell. To the untrained eye the seams can be made invisible.

Remember the Purdey that Steve Barnett had listed a few years back...a poster on here was looking to buy it. Had it inspected by someone and they caught it.