doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Newton Rifle Information Please

I have ended up with maybe a possible couple Newton rifle projects. One I had problems finding a original stock for a Pattern. I finally found one. Whew !!.The second is a Possible
Newton 03 project in 22 Var. Information of this is limited. I "think" at one time I seen a picture some where of one which included DST's etc. does anyone have one or information on one. Thanks in advance any help appreciated. Whitey

You might try this website altho you are probable aware of it.
http://www.newtonrifles.com/

I believe he has written the original book as well as an update.

Thanks cpa. I just ordered it after talking to Mr. Wales the author.(Nice Guy)However limited info on the subject in the book.?? So was hunting for additional info on particular the 03 models built by Newton. Whitey

Are you talking about a Springfield 1903 which was rebarrelled by the Newton Arms Company? According to Larry Wales book, "The Newton Rifle", the only calibers available for barrels to be installed in a Springfield action were .256 Newton and .30 Newton.

Although all the Newton made rifles I have seen or seen pictures of have double set triggers, I never heard of such triggers being installed in a Springfield, although it would not be too difficult. If I remember correctly, Flaig's of Millvale, PA used to sell set trigger units which could be installed in Springfields.

I never heard of a Newton made .22 Varminter. Newton had his own version of high powered centerfire .22's, including the .22 Savage High Power (5.6X52R) and the .22 Newton, which was a 7X57 case necked down to .22. Both used a .228" bullet, rather than the otherwise universally accepted .224".

Hi Bill as I had sent you a PM and a e-mail on finding a pattern stock with no answer. I figured you was out of country again or.??
Bill I am waiting for me Wales book. But I did talk to him and there don't seem to be a lot of for sure information on the 03 Newtons.?? And as I don't know anything. I am hunting for more.and you could be right as I got 2 barrels with the project a 256 and a newton marked one with 22VAR.?? And as I know a lot of people did diffrent things at diffrent times back then. IF a customer paid for it.?? who knows for sure.And as I am not a collector it's not a problem just wanted a fun project that was diffrent.Smile
And just to add confusion the Newton collectors Ass. Says Apx
2% o f Newton made rifles was made in cal other than the 256,30 cal and the 35 and 40. They say 2% was made in cal "Like"22 Newton,27 Newton,25-06 and 33Newton. and I noticed the key word was like. But not limited to those cal.?? Who Knows Whitey

Didn't Gerry Gebby have the name ".22 Varminter" trademarked for a while back in the heyday of .22 wildcatting? Are there any other markings on that barrel Whitey? Perhaps it was one that Gebby installed on a Newton action in the late 30's?

Hi Gary sorry do to health problems and Dr's orders for now no machines. I sent the action and barrel to be head spaced etc. This chemo gets the memory sometimes the first day or so after. BUT am pretty sure it's marked 22VAR and Newton and with the same deal a set of reloading dies marked 22VAR.?? and really it don't make a bunch of different as that's what it will end up being.Smile and maybe my book from Wales wil answer all my questions. But from what I have heard from diffrent sources.
They did a lot of things that was not in the Catalog. Whitey

When I was collection Newtons, I had what I believe to be the only verifiable original Newton/Springfield built on the Newton- sold barrel/stock kit. Lot of what passes for Newton/Springfields are guns with Newton barrels (there were a lot of them around for years after Newton folded) screwed into Springfield receivers. Newton's and Springfield's threads are the same. The stock style varied somewhat from what later would be the Model 1916 Newton stock, and had the S curve on the underside of the pistol grip. Newton double set triggers were not worked out for the Springfield. My gun had what I am convinced was a prototypical bolt peep sight that was very similar to what Newton wound up using on his First Model rifles. The Newton/Springfields were "reportedly" sold with only 256 Newton barrels available, and they had square cut rifling. Marlin made them. A 30 Newton specimen has been reported, but it may be a rebarrel. Also a 30-06 has been brought to light that seemed like it might be kosher, but I didn't get to look at it. Could have had a later Newton made segmentally rifled barrel or a Springfield.
Jerry Gebby converted a number or Newton rifles for the 22 Varminter besides his own rebarreled .22 Newton. I have heard of at least three. Gebby got the idea from Chas. Newton, actually. When Gebby was broken down in Buffalo in 1919, he visited Newton at his office, and Newton pulled from a cigar box of cartridges a shell that he once played with; a 250-3,000 case with a .228" 22 High Power bullet. I had a loooong telephone conversation with Jerry Gebby in 1983. At the time he was "pushin' 90" but could still recall Newton's office address. Mr. Gebby allowed that his trademarked case was Newton's idea, but, he added "what did he do with it?"

Krag thanks that is very interesting information. The kind I like.As I said I am not a collector. I just enjoy neat rifles and if they have some history it's super.And after getting my first Newton project the 256. These other parts came up. and the fact Newton was involved in it.I just thought it might be a diffrent look and a neat project to play with.And as you said the stock was similar to the regular Newton. That was to be one of my questions as I now have a couple stocks to be used for patterns. I can have one done duplicating the 03 in-letting. Thanks whitey

Got my Wales book today and it's super. And helps to answer most of my questions.But thanks for the members help also.Whitey