I stumbled across this auction by accident and never had
seen a rifle like this. I like the cylindrical breech block.
I'd like to see the patent drawings, does anyone know how to find them for British patents?

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=158539345

the seller also has a Shellhammer stocked Mauser

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=157830387

PhysDoc

The .32-40 should be a Webley 1902 Patent small action which is different from the Farquharson in a number of ways. (The large action was made with a rectangular block.) Patent number is 6365.

You might want to check chapter 12 of J. Kirton's "THE BRITISH FALLING BLOCK BREECHLOADING RIFLE FROM 1865" for more information.

Bill

Seller is James Goergen, over the years may have handled more high grade SS rifles than any other dealer.

Is Goergen immortal? I seem to remember his ads for my entire life of 66 years. Bought few guns from him (remember only an SAA .38 Special) but remember some correspondance with him back when one actually put pen to paper. He was a highschool teacher back then. Hope he's retired since....

This is my first visit to this forum and you guys aren't very welcoming. I've know Jim for nearly 50 years and neither of us feel were are old.

Hi, Joel! Yeah, I know the feeling. I feel 26 right up to the point where I try to move a muscle in the morning (like get out of bed). Then reality sets in.....

If you see or contact Jim Goergen, he won't remember me, but tell him thanks for answering for free all those dumb questions back in the day! Tell him to hang in there for a while too; I've got more!

Mike Armstrong

Tried unsuccessfully to find the two patent numbers over the net - anyone give me the "how to" or possibly copies of the patents?

I'll be at the Baltimore show with Jim in a few weeks and I'll tell him.

I have a 7 volume set of British patents. If you tell me the patent number and year, I can post a copy of a patent.

The GB listing for the rifle mentions a "Webley #26365 - 1902 Patent"
Also in this thread, WJW refers to patent number 6365. Likely also 1902.
Thanks in advance if you can find something.

Joel, Do we know each other? I should know anyone who has that set, very few around. I just can't connect your log-on name. I've only known Jim for forty years so I'm a newcomer ;-).

BTW: I spoke with the publisher, George Hoyem in Las vegas and sets of "Patents For Inventions: Small Arms (all British firearms patents 1865-1930!) are still availible!
Google George Hoyem or Armoury Pub.
Fantastic books, Larry Potterfield sent me the seven volume set last year!
Surprised the Hell outa me!

Thanks for the lead....New books to add to my library as funds permit. I have been meaning to give George a call sometime as I now own a rifle that at one time belonged to him. I really like his book on British cartridges too.
Steve

Michael we once corresponded a number of years ago about a Neidner Martini that I got from Dennis Hrurosky. I first started out as a American single shot collector and living in Western Wisconsin it was only natural that I would find Jim. Over the years I collected high grade American custom rifles of all types from the golden age and Dave Crowley couldn't resist getting me into English sporting rifles. From them it was easy for him to interest me in Webley handguns, which in recent years have been my specialty. I am in the process of writing a series of books on Webley revolvers and the British patent books are of great value.

Joel, Welcome to the forum will look forward to your contributions. That must have been a few years ago, I can't remember one in resent memory. I just talk with Dennis from time to time on the phone but he not so much into computers. It would be fun to get folks like Dennis, Ron Wonzy and few others posting here.

This is the 1902 Patent. I never felt the Webley 1902 was as strong an action as the original Farquharson. The breechblock has very little support.

Thanks for posting that patent drawing, I really appreciate that.
I grew up in Wisconsin but live in Kansas now, I miss Wisconsin.

You're welcome. I grew up in NYC, but came out here to play football and never left.

At this point in my life I can hardly remember anything. It really is a shame that Dennis, Jim and Russell Gilmore are computer adverse. They have tons of valuable info.

Joel
Thank you SIR!

You're welcome. If you have any questions about any other British cartridge rifles or handguns, feel free to ask. I have a .303 Gibbs Farquharson coming. If it arrives before I have to leave for Baltimore I'll post some photos of it.

Did you get the one from Hallowell's?
I think you just beat me to the phone!