Recently finished this Fraser project. Customer had the action which had been converted to rim-fire. Some case color remained but the sides were frosty and lightly pitted. Trigger guard was also lightly pitted with only traces of charcoal bluing remaining. The 28” barrel is from a .461 Gibbs Farquarson. Bluing was complete and sights are original needing virtually no work.
First job was to re-convert to center fire. Interestingly, the barrel shank threads are the same as the action breech threads. All I had to do was shorten the barrel threads about .090”, fit barrel to the action, re-cut the extractor mortise and re-chamber. Barrel work took only about 5 or 6 hours! The barrel is pleasing in its profile, having 5 different blended tapers. Butt plate is water buffalo horn.
The action was border engraved around the side edges and showed some pitting. Action sides were frosty and mildly pitted. Decided to polish surfaces until border got a little dim and leaving the remainder to be covered with a new rosette of scroll engraving (by Roger Sampson). Borders were re-cut to even them out.
Here is the barrel profle.

Jim

I assume you restocked it, Jim?

That is a beauty for sure. I haven't seen many Frasers, but I not recall them having that shape to the back of the receiver. It sure adds to their otherwise blocky appearance.

What caliber is it now?

May I ask who did the lovely engraving?

Scratch that.....Senior moment. Just read more carefully "Roger Sampson."

Brent,
Yes, I did restock the Fraser.
It is the original .461 Gibbs No. 1 now. $200 for a reamer that I used for 10 minutes! Basically only needed to re-cut the rim rebate after shortening the barrel.


Engraving was by Roger Sampson

Nicely done Jim as we have come to expect. Roger has experience with the Fraser's having engraved to one I built some years ago.
I am sure your customer is very happy

Very nice work.

Really nice project on one of my favorite actions and Roger is a friend of long standing!

Any chance of a full length picture of the barrel tapers.Would love to see them if possible.

Simply Beautiful!

Very nice work. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Lovely rifle Jim!

BTW: I recently reread 300 Years of Tradition and wanted to thank you again for your part in making that exhibit happen. It was a incredible display and it's a shame it was under publicized and under attended.
Fortunately, I was at the opening and wish there had been name tags during the day because I missed the opportunity to meet many really interesting people because of my shyness and reticence, including you? We did have name tags at the dinner reception, were you there? I don't remember meeting?
One of the finest moments of my career was seeing my Low Wall displayed in a case with Ed Weber's Sharps '77.

Was it shyness and reticence Steven, or were you simply drunk on your ass like you obviously were about a year ago when you called me from (406) 222-9377 in Livingston, Montana, screaming vulgar personal threats. You were slurring your words quite a bit, and I assume you didn't have a stroke.

If I ever get the chance to meet up with you, I won't need any name tags to give you the opportunity to see if you are willing and able to back up those physical threats. I'll just look for a paunchy little fag. I think it is more likely that you will piss yourself, coward.

Is it time for some more free advertising of your over-priced classes little worm? Or did you log in to finally pony up some money for all of the other free advertising you used this forum for?

Just my personal opinion, as always, based upon your cheap-ass and cowardly actions.

Steven,
By way of an update. Evan Maurer is now living in California. Corrine Wegener is now working at the Smithsonian. Joe Horse Capture is still at the M.I.A. I had one of the large hallway placards hanging in my shop since the exhibit closed. Last fall I sent it to Mark Silver for him to enjoy.
Jim

Thanks Jim~
No surprise about Corry, I worked with her early on and she was extraordinary! Smart, efficient, enthusiastic and accomplished. I missed not meeting her and always wondered if the exhibit would have been more successful in recognition and attendance if she hadn't had to go off to war?
I saw Mark Silver at the Antique Show in Las Vegas a few years back showing a couple of remarkable longrifles, we talked for quite a long time. It was great to see him and his work!
I checked out availability online for the 300 Years catalog/book and they are available, some even less than new price.
The exhibit certainly was a long time coming as it was a true shame that John Bivins didn't live to see it... I guess you were like a cornerstone that allowed the rest of the pieces to fit into place.
I recent resold the Bertuzzi double gun of mine that was also shown bringing all of this back to my mind and causing me to revisit that unique experience!
Thanks again!

This is mine. It was the subject of a gun Digest article I wrote many years ago. The engraving was executed by Fred Bowen. The casehardening was by Dave Noren and the receiver base and some other parts were fashioned by Bill Schultz.

Very nice, I have always thought they may be the best it their class. I liked them so much I also built one some years back.

When I was a serious collector of British single shot rifles this Farquharson was my favorite.

[img]https://joelblack.smugmug.com/Shotguns/i-BHm8C3v[/img]

Hard to beat a best quality Gibbs sporting rifle......

What caliber is Joel?

I just picked up a very nice little Gibbs action that will become a dandy little .303 British. Similar vintage to that action from the look of things.

It was also a .303 British.

Joel - What edition of Gun Digest was your article in? I probably have it around here.

Great rifle Jim.
Care to elaborate on the buttplate?
Thanks

JRA:
I made the buttplate from a piece of water buffalo horn. Not too bad a job once you have made a few and get used to bending and shaping the horn.
Jim

Looks great, gotta love the smell when sanding it