I recently got to hold a Holland farquharson 30 Super flanged single shot rifle in my own two hands, and I may have contracted a very expensive disease. Steve Bertram certainly knows more about this subject than anyone I know, and probably as much as just about anyone. He told me that no one is currently making a farquharson action, at the moment. He also believes Ralph Martini is gearing up to produce Hagn falling block actions (not much relation to Farquharsons, I know), and Ralph’s website does not mention anything about future availability. I reckon I can just shoot him an e-mail.


The Fraser actions that Steve Earle is producing are nice, and I may go down that route, but the before mentioned actions hold the most interest for me at the moment. The small Hagn action (not mini) is what I am after, for a 257 Roberts build, and a Farquharson would likely be used for 9.3x74R. I recall Roger Greene was importing Hagn’s before Martin Hagn passed, but I see Roger’s website is shut down now.

Does anyone have any advice, ideas, or information to share? Thanks

Matt,

It’s a bad disease. Not many were made and as Steve said no one is making the actions. I don’t know who Rigby is using to make their new line of Farquharsons. You may want to try and find out.

Can you post a picture of your 30 super?

Ken

.30 Super

BTW, Steve is a very gracious man, and a great guy to do business with. Picked up a nice bolt gun from him recently, and it is just as he described it.

As for the Hagn actions, Ralph helped finish up a number that were in the works when Martin passed, but he's not continuing the business. He's actually moving to Germany to work with Hartmann and Weiss.

Check out: http://knutlie.com
It appears this gentleman is continuing the manufacture of Hagn actions.

I have an old catalo from H&W, shows vauous guns of course, but Hagn and Hareen actions were both featured...I'd bet H&W will. most likely offer Hagn

quote:

Originally posted by MNR:
As for the Hagn actions, Ralph helped finish up a number that were in the works when Martin passed, but he's not continuing the business. He's actually moving to Germany to work with Hartmann and Weiss.

Check out: http://knutlie.com
It appears this gentleman is continuing the manufacture of Hagn actions.

Wow, that guy could make anything he set his mind to! Maybe he could be convicted to produce a Farquharson variant. Sounds like Steve needs to have a long talk with that gentleman!

All we are missing to get this project up and going is a patron of the arts

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Bertram:
All we are missing to get this project up and going is a patron of the arts

I wrote Knutie an email. Waiting to here back.

quote:

I recently got to hold a Holland farquharson 30 Super flanged single shot rifle in my own two hands, and I may have contracted a very expensive disease

Just use a Ruger Number 1 and have a stock built in the style you like.

Sorta like comparing Bud Light to Heineken

Those are both terrible beers so I’m not sure about that analogy!

quote:

Originally posted by Left hunter:
Those are both terrible beers so I’m not sure about that analogy!

How true! Hilarious!!!

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Just use a Ruger Number 1 and have a stock built in the style you like.

like a Timex with a new band vs. a Rolex

Which would you rather have????

I've built a Custom #1 and you couldn't describe it as a Ruger #1 with a custom stock.

YES! Super describes this rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Bertram:
.30 Super

quote:

I've built a Custom #1 and you couldn't describe it as a Ruger #1 with a custom stock

That is very easy to say about any high end custom 98.

Far more work is needed on a mil spec 98.

what does a #1 have to do with a 98???

I don't understand why you post constantly on the "Custom Built Rifles" forum trying to convince anyone that reads your posts to buy a Ruger. There's a specific reason for this forum and it's one of the best of it's kind on the internet.

quote:

Originally posted by MNR:
As for the Hagn actions,.....

Check out: http://knutlie.com
It appears this gentleman is continuing the manufacture of Hagn actions.

I've heard the same from a client in direct contact with Knut. Apparently He's looking to find someone in the states as a stocking dealer so it's not such a pain in the ass to buy out of country.

I was working with Martin Hagn on a barreled action before he passed. I was able to get one of his falling block actions from Martin. Martin was a class act and is surely missed. I was able to get Ralf Martini to finish and barrel the action right before Christmas You may have better luck than me with Knut Lie. He is over a year past when he said he would have a couple of actions ready for me with lots of excuses. Then he said the only way to get a action was purchasing a completed rifle and another year or so wait. Communication with Knut wasn’t what I was looking for so I ended up with just the one barreled action from Martin/Ralf. Mr. Anderson is correct that Ralf is leaving shortly for Germany to head up Hartman & Weiss.

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:
what does a #1 have to do with a 98???

I don't understand why you post constantly on the "Custom Built Rifles" forum trying to convince anyone that reads your posts to buy a Ruger. There's a specific reason for this forum and it's one of the best of it's kind on the internet.

Custom is all about options.

Just giving people options. That might be faster easier on the pocket box.

Saying a modified No.1 isn't a No.1 is no different then saying a modified 98 isn't a 98.

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:
what does a #1 have to do with a 98???

I don't understand why you post constantly on the "Custom Built Rifles" forum trying to convince anyone that reads your posts to buy a Ruger. There's a specific reason for this forum and it's one of the best of it's kind on the internet.

Custom is all about options.

Just giving people options. That might be faster easier on the pocket box.

Saying a modified No.1 isn't a No.1 is no different then saying a modified 98 isn't a 98.

I agree, and I appreciate your suggestion. I like number ones. However, I am looking at “better” options at this time, and a number one is not in the same league as what I am desiring.

The way most customs have been built recently is by re-building old actions. Here are a couple I have done for a board member.

Gibbs I re-barreled and made a new fore arm, front sight and sling base for.






Webely 02 action, I rebarreled it in .500 NE, made the sights and sling swivel base, restocked it and my engraver re-cut the action. Essentially a new rifle.

I'm not sure if there is a current, reliable source for new ones, but the Soroka 07 rifles designed by New Zealander, Glenn Soroka, are superb.

They are modern inside (in-line firing pin and coil mainspring) but look just like Gibbs-Farquharsons on the outside.

quote:

Glenn Soroka

Thought I had heard he was no longer in business?

quote:

Originally posted by bghntr416:

quote:

Glenn Soroka

Thought I had heard he was no longer in business?

I don’t believe he is, or if he is, he’s been way under the radar.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Bertram:
The way most customs have been built recently is by re-building old actions. Here are a couple I have done for a board member.

Gibbs I re-barreled and made a new fore arm, front sight and sling base for.






Webely 02 action, I rebarreled it in .500 NE, made the sights and sling swivel base, restocked it and my engraver re-cut the action. Essentially a new rifle.

Those are beautiful, Steve!

I believe Mark Mitchell in Scotland owns the Farqharson name and makes actions.

quote:

Originally posted by Tommyhawk:
I believe Mark Mitchell in Scotland owns the Farqharson name and makes actions.

Website is no longer up, and can’t find contact info. Anyone have contact info?

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:

quote:

Originally posted by Tommyhawk:
I believe Mark Mitchell in Scotland owns the Farqharson name and makes actions.

Website is no longer up, and can’t find contact info. Anyone have contact info?

I dropped him a note but have not heard back from him.

quote:

Originally posted by Steve Bertram:

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:

quote:

Originally posted by Tommyhawk:
I believe Mark Mitchell in Scotland owns the Farqharson name and makes actions.

Website is no longer up, and can’t find contact info. Anyone have contact info?

I dropped him a note but have not heard back from him.

Thank you Steve!

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:

quote:

Originally posted by bghntr416:

quote:

Glenn Soroka

Thought I had heard he was no longer in business?

I don’t believe he is, or if he is, he’s been way under the radar.

Soroka rifles and even actions are hard to come by but are not unobtainable.

Just like any other masterpiece!

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:

quote:

Originally posted by ColoradoMatt:

quote:

Originally posted by bghntr416:

quote:

Glenn Soroka

Thought I had heard he was no longer in business?

I don’t believe he is, or if he is, he’s been way under the radar.

Soroka rifles and even actions are hard to come by but are not unobtainable.

Just like any other masterpiece!

I’ve seen a few rifles, but actions? If you know how/where to get an action, please let me know! Thanks!

Glen called me 5 or 6 years ago. He was in Arizona going nuts over the 1950's vintage rust free cars he could buy. IIRC he said he had bought 5 or 6. At least at that time he was not making any actions or rifles. He and his wife were looking to relocate from New Zealand. I do not know his current status.

If you want a Soroka, contact Ben Piper of Piper Rifles in Arizona: Piper Rifles

I believe he still has a couple of actions.

Thank you!

My pleasure.

I prefer the Soroka to any other single shot action out there.

IMHO, they are the most beautiful and functional by a long shot.

The Hagn is a great action, but it requires too much drop in the stock for my tastes.

Stocks with too much drop increase felt recoil.

In a standard small or medium bore caliber, the increase in recoil shouldn't cause any pain.

But I wouldn't want one chambered in a magnum.

Just as importantly, a low stock profile makes it impossible to see through the scope with a proper cheek-weld on the stock - unless one has a face like Frankenstein's monster.

With the Hagn, these things are the result of the unnecessarily downward angle and position of the tangs.

Then we have the pure aesthetics of it.

IMHO, the excessive drop in the stock on the Hagn accentuates the right angle at the back of the action and makes it look rather blocky or "square-backed."

In any Hagn made for me, I would want to have the tangs cut off and welded back on so as to be more "flattened."

But that is a lot of work.

Anyway, my $0.02.

I will let you know as I am having Matt build two customs on Hagn actions right now.
I prefer Hagn actions but will see.

Mileages vary!

What calibers did you choose?

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
My pleasure.

I prefer the Soroka to any other single shot action out there.

IMHO, they are the most beautiful and functional by a long shot.

Do you have one? and Have you spent a lot of time hunting and shooting with it?

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
My pleasure.

I prefer the Soroka to any other single shot action out there.

IMHO, they are the most beautiful and functional by a long shot.

Do you have one? and Have you spent a lot of time hunting and shooting with it?

The answer to your question is yes I have one.

But I don’t own a Ferrari, and yet would still like to have one.