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Well, rebuild actually. I've had a soft spot for putting military guns back to military dress lately, and after finishing the Tanker 03a3 the other day, this one called my name.
This is actually an amalgamation of several rifles I've bought over the years. The stock, stock hardware, and rear sight came off an 1895 Chilean Short Rifle. Sadly, the gun had MASSIVE pitting issues everywhere. The receiver was sent off and welded up to be used on a lightweight sporter build. The stock was too beautiful to get rid of. I love tiger striped stocks, especially ones that show wear. The handguard was destroyed, but replacing it isn't an option, both because of color matching and scarcity. The only downside is the wood has worn to the point that the buttplate is proud on one side. I'm honestly not sure I care, but I can buzz back the plate if necessary. Overall, the stock started this build...
The action I picked up a few years ago with a barrel that someone had drilled and tapped all the way into the bore. So it was scrap. But the receiver was decent and had a matching bent bolt. The barrel I got several months ago from a friend as a rifle barrel someone had cut down. They'd cut dovetails for the front and rear sight, but there was enough length to work with and I will over the old dovetails with original sights. I had to set the breech face back .015" to clear the bolt. I had to crown the barrel and turn down the diameter for the front sight assembly. I screwed the barrel onto the action, only to realize when I stuck it into the stock that the barrel contour was heavier on the rifle barrel, so I had to pull it back off and turn the contour down for six or seven inches to fit in the stock.
For now, it's rebarrelled and mocked up. I will need to drill holes for the sights tomorrow and solder them on. The barrel, since the breech face was set back, may very well need to be punched out. The handguard is still undergoing surgery, but is getting closer. I left the pitted rear sight base for a bit of cool factor, but need to either repair or replace the sight leaf itself, as the volley slide is not functioning (slides freely).
Once that's done, a bit of rust blue on the gun or at least on the barrel and front sight, and it will be lovely again.
But here's a few pictures from the day's fun...
This is actually an amalgamation of several rifles I've bought over the years. The stock, stock hardware, and rear sight came off an 1895 Chilean Short Rifle. Sadly, the gun had MASSIVE pitting issues everywhere. The receiver was sent off and welded up to be used on a lightweight sporter build. The stock was too beautiful to get rid of. I love tiger striped stocks, especially ones that show wear. The handguard was destroyed, but replacing it isn't an option, both because of color matching and scarcity. The only downside is the wood has worn to the point that the buttplate is proud on one side. I'm honestly not sure I care, but I can buzz back the plate if necessary. Overall, the stock started this build...
The action I picked up a few years ago with a barrel that someone had drilled and tapped all the way into the bore. So it was scrap. But the receiver was decent and had a matching bent bolt. The barrel I got several months ago from a friend as a rifle barrel someone had cut down. They'd cut dovetails for the front and rear sight, but there was enough length to work with and I will over the old dovetails with original sights. I had to set the breech face back .015" to clear the bolt. I had to crown the barrel and turn down the diameter for the front sight assembly. I screwed the barrel onto the action, only to realize when I stuck it into the stock that the barrel contour was heavier on the rifle barrel, so I had to pull it back off and turn the contour down for six or seven inches to fit in the stock.
For now, it's rebarrelled and mocked up. I will need to drill holes for the sights tomorrow and solder them on. The barrel, since the breech face was set back, may very well need to be punched out. The handguard is still undergoing surgery, but is getting closer. I left the pitted rear sight base for a bit of cool factor, but need to either repair or replace the sight leaf itself, as the volley slide is not functioning (slides freely).
Once that's done, a bit of rust blue on the gun or at least on the barrel and front sight, and it will be lovely again.
But here's a few pictures from the day's fun...