Saw the Webley Patent for a round breech block action some time ago - Translation-bored.
Decided to try something similar, but sorta Alex Henry style.
Got some bits and started working. Can some one post a couple photos of "progress" to date for me? Many thanks
And please, only one snide remark per person.
send me the pics and I will post them for you.
The old circular breechblock has been around for a looooong, long time. The late Frank DeHaas's 'Vault lock' design is somewhat similar.
Please be aware that should you make one of these type of actions, they are a very weak design and should not be used for anything more powerful than a typical Black Powder 'Rook Rifle' cartridge. I would even be reluctant to touch off a 32/20 with a Black Powder load in one.
That's the reason why there were so few made by anyone. They simply weren't up to the job.
Using modern rounds will batter the rear of the action so hard it will soon deform or split.
Harry
I know of an H&H built .240 flanged magnum on the round block webely....apparently Holland felt they were strong enough for this round and it has modern pressures to be sure.
Sent the photos to SKB - Thanks
Yup, the design has been around a long time, at least 1902, the date of the Webley patent.
Mine (if I can, and it does) will be 22 RF.. well, maybe...17RF?
the webely is just as strong as any falling block just easyer to make the breech block.do you have larger photos. mc
Will soon have some more progress to show, will try to post them myself and larger.
Take a deep breath.....
Oh, anyone notice the unusual/odd thing I am doing on this? (besides the project itself)
Hint-very Alex Henry.
Great project! - I've been interested in these little actions since Ross Seyfried wrote about one in .455 Webley [in DGJ]; I think he shot a cow elk with it! There's no engineering reason they should be any weaker than a square breech, and good modern steel and heat treatment is available now as well. I can't see much in the pics, but is your Alex Henry "oddity" an external lock? Left or right-hand?
Well, not sure that I can agree that they are as strong - The round back has a spreading action as well as the push, so...
Many (a lot) Alex Henry rifles were external lock, as one will be,
and yup, left hand lock, also a Henry trait.
I wish I had the talent to make some "silly" things like that. You are doing a great job.
Decided to abort - My apologies.
As it turns out, that was a temporary detour.
Bear with me, Gentlemen.
I encountered some unpleasant "administrative" comments, (only in Canada, you say?) and had to sort some things out before posting more - and removed what was there as a precaution.
Nuff said.
At the last episode, this was the status.
Action sorta done.
Other side
Wood for stock
I have made some more progress and will post the pictures in next few days!
As promised - Stock rough cut, action inletted
Can you elaborate on the 'administrative comments' you received, please? Inquiring minds want to know....
Regards, Joe
JD
They were NOT on this site.
Had to do with legal issues, from a person who claimed to have important information.
Don't want elaborate further - Thanks
Cold outside, so back to the ol' wood chisel....
Cutting away non-gunstock wood - it's hiding in there, I hope!
Turned a pair of trained beavers loose, this is what I got.
Now it is whining because it is naked!
Wants it's Alkanet.
Thank you so much, I am really enjoying watching the progress
of this rifle.
All the best,
PhysDoc
Thanks for the comment, it is a fun thing.
And since you asked so nicely,here is the stock, with Alkanet, ready for the oil finish.
Crap! -40 windchill today.
While waiting for the oil to dry (plastisize actually)
Front sight ramp, will probably use a lower sight blade.
Barrel band, made it to fit a QD swivel - A gotta have for a Henry style rifle.
Rear of breech block, firing pin in place.
As Bugs Bunny says "That's all, folks" ... For a while.
Need to get the stock finish done, modify the hammer, and find a rear sight - a folding express type would be nice, but will probably go with a Williams single leaf folding type. Will be checking the two local gun shows in March.
Hopefully.......
Well, things have gone better then expected. Tried the Armorall and Watco Danish oil thing, and it seems to work well. Didn't believe in snake oil till now!
Anyhoo, time for the "last post" - essentially done except for a rear sight, and the checkering will have to wait a bit yet.
It's been fun, enjoy.
Now for a warm day to try it out....only -5F this morning!
Right side
Left side
Well, finally done, even the butt is checkered.
Anyway here is a photo of some of my rimfires.
1. The "Henry"
2. A BSA Canadian Cadet, bought in 63 as a butchered target rifle, also have a virtual twin made for my son, bought as a stripped action. My "never sell" rifle.
3. a miniature Comblain, was used as a fence post in a pigsty, redone in 70's as a 22 for my wife, sorta Jeager/Schutzen style
4. A BRNO bolt action, got as an action, Cooey barrel, nice shooter.
Congrats,
It's good to see completed projects!
Oldstarfire,
Could you please elaborate on the "armour-all danish oil thing"
Thanks,
Peter A.
Re Armorall -
I ran into a reference on another forum (SGW) about a method shown on Rimfire Central, the thread on FRC was "woodstocks amazin
stock finish" - log on to RFC, do a search for "armorall".
Author used Truoil, but I found Watco Danish Oil seems to work also.
Essentially, you spritz on a teeny amount of Armorall, and then rub on/in a finger tip or two of truoil, rubbing till it feels dry, then repeat. The author claimed 30 coats in an evening were possible. The armorall seems to solidify the oil very quickly.
I tried it, and it does seem to work. Seemed to fill the wood well.
Gave a nice glow, can be dulled if too shiney.
Your experience may differ.
Fantastic, I've really enjoyed the snapshots of the progress that you've made on this rifle.
Personally I wish more members would post their projects. Especially. The Home built guns. And with that and the members like Steve etc showing how the pros do it.Maybe all of us could learn something. JMO worth nothing. smile Whitey
Interesting. That flies in the face of everything I've learned regarding ArmorAll and it's detrimental effects on finishes of any kind on any surface. I've paid Billy-hell chasing fisheyes in varnished and painted surfaces caused by careless people spraying that stuff (and WD-40) in the vicinity. Call me a Nervous Nellie but I would need more proof before I let it anywhere near a fine woodworking project, gunstock or otherwise.
I did a little research and found that it's the driers in ArmorAll that speed up the polymerization of the oil finish, but at the risk of going hazy with time. Re-ArmorAlling at that point will rejuvenate it briefly, but without any depth to the finish. I think I'll avoid it.
I use Japan Drier, works OK but nothing REALLY dries out down here......
Regards, Joe
I tried it on a scrap piece of walnut, two straight coats of Watco
(first coat slightly thinned with turpentine) soaked in and dried over about one week each.
Then the "magic elixer" coats.
Seemed to work OK
I would NOT use it on bare dry wood.
Denatured alcohol works for Tru-oil. Still requires cure time...
