As many of you know, I own and hunt with a John Madole created Ruger Sidelever in .30-40. I stocked and finished the rifle about 1990 and have been hunting with it since 1995. I took it to Namibia hunting plains game and it has accounted for several Mule and Whitetail deer along with numerous pronghorn in Montana.
Recently I acquire another Madole Sidelever, this one the first of three John created and stocked by James Corpe. John died about a decade ago and I'm not sure if James is still alive? I'm getting pretty old and stove-up myself~
This one is a .22 Hornet and unadorned excepting J MADOLE engraved on the top flat and yardage and stippling on the two leaf rear sight. I'll post a few pics now and follow up later with more info and pics.Hope you enjoy this special rifle.

WOW!!!

Beautiful rifle.

Neve been much of a fan of No 1's...but this one is to lust for

My .30-40 Sidelever has been my big game hunting rifle for about 30 years. While I no longer hunt big game, I have many wonderful memories not the least of which is the day I shot this Kudu bull in Namibia after the tracker said BIG BULL!

My rifle was stocked and finished by me in the late 90's and is much more modern American style than Corpe's. It has a 28" round barrel, with Rigby style top and side flat at the breech. It weighs a touch under 10lbs. I've only ever shot handloaded ammo with Nosler partition bullets a bit hopped up from factory loads. Mine is about like a mild .308 although the action could stand more my load is supremely accurate and the rifle has maintained that over the years.


Corpe's stocking is purely late 19th century British with cheekpiece, grip and profile are veddy British. The forend tip, buttplate and grip cap he made from water buffalo horn.


The third Sidelever was in .45-70, all three rimmed cartridges because John believed a single shot should be in a rimmed cartridge. It was built for an early patron of M/C and was fully engraved and gold wire inlaid by John. Corpe stocked in in a very similar manner to this Hornet but it has a long round barrel like my rifle. One more fav pic of my 30-40~

If anyone out there has any knowledge of Jim Corpe I'd sure like to hear!

I'll be adding to this post ..

Both very beautiful rifles.

BTW Duane: John used Ruger #3 actions as they lock-up with a spring and plunger on the bottom plate. he may have used #1 for the Henry lever converted rifles he made. There is one in my Custom Rifles in Black & White book. There are also extensive photos of my barreled action, finished rifle and the .45-70 rifle stocked in the white before engraving.

As an addition to John Madole's work and creativity, I will add this article to this post for background. Sorry if off topic but thought it deserving of his legacy of fine gunmaking and craftsmanship. There was an opportunity to purchase the 3rd rifle of this series years ago I believe from Morris Hollowell but lacking funds now long gone and certainly now embedded in a collection out of view. ps://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1995-B72-Two-Kentucky-Gunmakers-Part-II-John-H-Ma.pdf

That story, bio about John Madole is very interesting and informative. I've known about it for years. Check the sources list at the end, you will see my magazine stories were a major source. I had one story titled Working Together in American Rifleman in the mid-80's. I'm trying to find it in my haphazard archives. I saw the .45-70 when Morris had it, cased, fully engraved by John it was a sight to behold. As I said I photographed it in the white for my Custom Rifles book.

Another Fav photo of my hunting rifle.

Great rifles for sure.

does anybody do the side leaver now?

Although I've heard folks wanting one, nobody to the best of my knowledge has attempted it since John Madole made the three in the 1980's. Few have the skills or experience to try it and it surely would cost a fortune if someone did.

quote:

Originally posted by SDH:
Although I've heard folks wanting one, nobody to the best of my knowledge has attempted it since John Madole made the three in the 1980's. Few have the skills or experience to try it and it surely would cost a fortune if someone did.

Or the need as N0.1 and other under levers work very well.

Those are truly beautiful rifles, and I am sure they shoot well too. .22 Hornet is a wonderful cartridge when used within it's capabilities. My dad had a converted BSA tilting-block (mini Martini action) with which he shot many Impala. But he only used one shot placement with that rifle, the high neck shot, and he only shot if he had a good stable position and the buck was standing just so. Never saw him fail with that shot.

Interesting that this little hornet has no provision for a scope. I would think that means it was only ever intended for plinking at most? The thing with the Hornet is that your shot placement has to be perfect.

I designed a side-lever version of my action but alas I can't legally make it here, so I guess it will remain nothing more than a pipe dream.

quote:

I designed a side-lever version of my action but alas I can't legally make it here, so I guess it will remain nothing more than a pipe dream.

You could always give it to someone else. To bring your dream to life.

I would be quite willing but nobody has shown any interest.

It's difficult to generate interest in something that doesn't exist, and with the way liability lawsuits go in the US I'm not sure it's worth even trying?

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Connan:
I would be quite willing but nobody has shown any interest.

It's difficult to generate interest in something that doesn't exist, and with the way liability lawsuits go in the US I'm not sure it's worth even trying?

Do you have proper blue prints or machine drawings

quote:

Originally posted by domit:
does anybody do the side leaver now?

Luxus Arms made the Model 11 Single Shot Takedown a few years back (it has the side lever on the right side to open the action). There are two listed on GunBroker right now. A 7-08 and a two bbl set 30/06 & 243. They note in the write up that there were only 300 rifles made.

I am not a fan of side lever rifles but these are definitely exceptions! Superb rifles.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Do you have proper blue prints or machine drawings

My business is consulting engineering. As such I have a fair amount of experience communicating with manufacturers.
I typically tailor drawings to the manufacturing methods and processes the manufacturer has.

For any single component there are a number of different ways it could be made, and the process determines to a large extent the best way in which that information would need to be transferred. The quantity to be manufactured also plays a large role in this.

For example, if a curved surface is to be machined on a CNC mill, no amount of drawings will suffice, you need a 3-dimensional file that can be used by a CAM program (the exact file format would depend on which CAM software is used) and the drawing will only be useful in basic inspection with hand measuring tools where that is even possible, but if it is to be machined on a manual mill, that would probably require both a set of very detailed dimensional drawings and a jig of some type.

So the answer is both yes and no, and I guess the real answer would be that a consultation process would be required to determine the abilities, methods and intentions (with regard to volume) of the manufacturer, followed by preparation of a specific set of documents.

Thank for the complements. These Madole made sidelevers are in a class all by themselves. They are modern action highly modifed to look like an archaic action for the sake of firearms art.
My 30-40 shows them to be perfectly functional, accurate as well as artistic.
The Luxus rifle is something of a contraption with little or no artistic merit. The company failed because they just didn't prove popular enough to sustain continuing manufacture.
Madole rifles are few and far between. No where near sustainable at the time of manufacturer the lack of success drove John to drink and eventually to kill him.
Corpe kept making stocks but as a singular entity because he and John couldn't get along. A few patrons at the time kept the two making singular artistic rifles and there were some dozen(?) or so individual creation that have since found small following of dedicated collectors.
There have also been several fellow saying they could built a sidelever but nothing to show for it. Lots of talk but no product.Just like the fellow above. It is no wonder because it is a daunting task at best.
Take a close look at the checkering in this pic..
As for comparing them with factory Ruger rifle, you can't. While a nice and functional single shot and the apple of many folks' eye, the #1 is still a factory rifle and anyone with a couple thousand dollars can own one, or several in a multitude of calibers.
These sidelevers are never seen for sale and can only owned by a select few.

The Luxus Arms rifles had a side hammer but not a side lever.
The Steve Earle made Fraser actions may still be available.

Beautiful rifles!
I have an old rifle with the Field's Patent sidelever. I believe the falling block is operated by pushing forward, while yours look like they are pushed down? It's been a year or two since I've had it out of the safe, so I might be mistaken.

Great rifle Steven! Glad to see you have it.

I am proud to own, but wish I didn’t because it came from the estate of a great friend and mentor, a Madole / Corpe Ruger single shot in 375 Flanged Magnum. Those two guys together were capable of anything. I can’t imagine the level of effort to convert these actions. I do think Madole made up batches of specialty projects like this to help capture the learning curve. Three of these sidelevers and also a small group of 1877 Sharps he made completely from scratch out of bar stock. I believe you stocked at least one of his 1877’s?

Some of the greatest gunmakers I’ve known have had the highest respect for Madole and Corpe.

I see a small hole on the top of the breech block. Is it a vent for a blown primer?

Bryndon,
Madole did make guns in groups if not in batches. The Sharps 77 Project he just completed two Barreled actions to the best of my knowledge. Corpe stocked, John engraved and someone else did the metal finishing to complete the rifle. As I remember it was cased in a full length Huey case.
I ordered and John built the second 1877 barreled action. I stocked and finished the rifle for a great friend/client in L.A, CA. When the.Client died I believe his local gunsmith snapped it up before the west coast auction that liquidated several other custom single shots I had built for Ian. That rifle is presented in my Custom Rifles book.
For the 3 sidelevers, I believe John made some of the parts such as the levers in a group but the rifles were completed individually. My .30-40 brld action was purchased complete from John. He told me he had planned to build it into a rifle for himself but got short of funds and offered it to me. I immediately agreed to purchase it.

John also improved things as he went. The hole in the top of the breech block mentioned above is an example. That was the first of the group. Mine doesn't have it but does have a projecting stud on the hammer that protrude from the bottom plate serving as a cocking indicator that John saw as an improvement. (Look closely at the action bottom in the warthog photo)
I always refer to John Madole as a metal working genius and if you read the bio information mentioned in the link below you will find the portrait of how that genius came to be.Check out the source material~
https://americansocietyofarmsc...art-II-John-H-Ma.pdf

My Story about Madole/Corpe from 1989 American Rifleman:

I sure would like to read that manuscript on British single shot stock design.

Thanks for the post Steve, I enjoyed seeing your new rifle and reading the history on these two gentlemen.

Beautiful rifles.

James Corpe on British Single Shot Stock Design from GUNMAKER Magazine, #37 July/Aug 1989 You will notice how closely the Sidelever follows this design. (The orginal layout had the first two page drawing as a center fold) As GUNMAKER editor, I shot all the pics and worked with James on refining the story for publication.
LAST PAGE NOW INCLUDED!

Thanks for that, good info.

I'm lucky enough to have a large collection of take -off stocks from British singles as well as a fair number of original rifles to reference. I would agree with Corpe's assessment, ideal stocks for a hunting rifle.

You are welcome. I am posting all this stuff in hopes that it allows Madole and Corpe some perpetuity in this eras custom gunmaking. I remember how difficult it was for my friend Micheal Petrov to find information about the American gunmakers in the first half of the 20th century.
I have accumulated much info and many photographs of the gunmakers and their creations of the second half of the century and my hope is that researchers will have access to much more info via my attempt at preserving it.
These two fellows had a relativly short spell of creating some exquisite rifles blending the most modern American invention with design from my favorite era of fine gunmaking. I personally think the era of the 1880's to 1920 saw the very finest blending of mechanical development and artistic design of firearms.
These guy did a fine job of blending modern functionality with historic elegance, Don't you agree? Throughout my career I've tried to do a similar blending with my own work.
Much modified Dakota #10 from my workbench. The rifle from about 2000.

quote:

Originally posted by SDH:

SDH-
Nice lines and dimensions on the pistol grip. Any idea what the pistol grip dimensions are approximately or how do you determine the diameter of the grip?

The pistol grip dimensions are determined by the grip cap dimensions as you shape the stock to conform to the shape of the cap. The diameter of the grip is very similar to that of the cap.
Rather than shaping a stock to a set of given dimensions the stocker shapes to the persons dimensions and the stock furniture that is installed on the blank before contour shaping really begins.
In other words, the LOP and Drop at comb and heel tell you where the buttplate goes. The location of the comb nose tells where the grip cap goes. The the lines are connected to achieve the profile. The thickness is determined by the action, grip cap and buttplate.
The stockmaker can read the above discussion by James Corpe to help achieve the style of a British Single Shot Rifle.
I hope this answers your question 4WD?

quote:

Rather than shaping a stock to a set of given dimensions the stocker shapes to the persons dimensions

I must be tired. I read this about three times, and all I could picture was the gunsmith taking a meat saw to the customers arms to shape his dimensions to the stock, rather than shaping the stock to the shooters specified dimensions. I guess I missed the work "to".

Based on what Michael wrote, that sounds like something Gus Pachmayr might have done.

I'll go sign up for that remedial English comprehension class now.

John

John,
For the past 25 years I've spent plenty of time trying to figure out how to Clearly Explain how I make stocks and other gunmaking procedure. I still have to be very careful with wording and especially with typos. If I'm writing for print I edit everything at least a dozen times before I'm satisfied.

When I write something off the top of my head as I did above, and see someone having trouble reading or understanding it I just imagine that I've shot myself in the foot once again...

quote:

Originally posted by Peter Connan:

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Do you have proper blue prints or machine drawings

My business is consulting engineering. As such I have a fair amount of experience communicating with manufacturers.
I typically tailor drawings to the manufacturing methods and processes the manufacturer has.

For any single component there are a number of different ways it could be made, and the process determines to a large extent the best way in which that information would need to be transferred. The quantity to be manufactured also plays a large role in this.

For example, if a curved surface is to be machined on a CNC mill, no amount of drawings will suffice, you need a 3-dimensional file that can be used by a CAM program (the exact file format would depend on which CAM software is used) and the drawing will only be useful in basic inspection with hand measuring tools where that is even possible, but if it is to be machined on a manual mill, that would probably require both a set of very detailed dimensional drawings and a jig of some type.

So the answer is both yes and no, and I guess the real answer would be that a consultation process would be required to determine the abilities, methods and intentions (with regard to volume) of the manufacturer, followed by preparation of a specific set of documents.

Send me an email if your willing to discuss sharing the design. I'd be interested in at least taking a look at what you have. If you have step files so I can at least look at the models, I'd be interested in discussing the feasibility.

(email is down below in my signature)

Mr. Hughes, thank you for posting all the beautiful pictures of the rifles. I am no fan of Ruger No.1's either, but the CCH and octagon combined with the side lever are fantastic.

I would have had to do something about the tang safety, but it is none the less beautiful.

Also thank you for sharing the write up on Madole, I will read that shortly.

I say this generally, but you guys that are "stoved up" need to work as hard at disseminating information now as you did building rifles. I hope I speak for everyone when I say that I greatly appreciate it.