I thought i might post some pics of the bases and ring I had done for my latest project.
The gun is to be a 416 Taylor.

They are from Joe Smithson and they are quick detach. They operate on a ball and socket concept. The repeat to zero is said to be unparalled. However, although i did get the rings for a scope the primary sighting system will be this custom ghost ring that is also removable and engineered to fit in the Jerry Fischer trap door grip cap.

Joe does some nice work.



The gun is being built and assembled by Lon Paul. www.lonpaulcustomguns.com

The rest of the gun is comprised of an FN mauser with a Blackburn drop box. The trigger is from Germany, the name escapes me. The trigger itself does fit in the very rear of the bow which i prefer. It also matches the curve very nicely. I think Lon is shaping it to fit my right handed shooting.
No quarter rib, just the ghost ring. The front site is begining life as a NECG low site with a flip up warthog ivory beed. London Guns red pad.
I am having it engraved in a Kornbrath, of Hoffman Arms fame, pattern.
And of course a stout piece of the finest in Turkish walnut.

At any rate the point of this post is to share Joe Smithsons work.

I will be interested to see the finished rifle. I feel rifles lose a bit of the “classic†look when they don’t have a rear sight leaf. I couldn’t bring myself to go without on my last rifle, so fitted a folding leaf and a ghost ring.

Lon Paul seems to do very good work and I would think he could pull this together very well. Please post more pictures as the project develops.

Like to see how those bases and rings go together.

On Lon Pauls site are those CZ actions in his photos?

Very interesting. I too would like to see a detailed close up photo of that ball & socket system.

I've found reference to Joe Smithson on the web, but can't find where he is based.

Do you have any contact info if I'm interested in his rings and bases?

Thanks,

Garrett

Joseph P. Smithson
1194 N. 240 E.
Orem, UT 84057
(801) 224-2041
jpsmithson@hotmail.com

Joe is a huge talent; not just in making the mounts but in all metalsmithing and stockmaking.

Do keep us posted as the rifle comes together. Please tease us with a picture of the stock blank.

Guys, the Smithson ball and socket rings really need to be seen in person to appreciate. I had heard of them in the past and it sounded intriguing to say the least. A sound idea.
When i seen them at the ACGG show last year i was very happy i was in a project gun where i could get a set.

I will write Joe and see if he has any nice photos.

I sent, or i should say Lon sent the action to Joe. Joe then in turn hand fits and laps the bases to the action for a perfect fit, not near perfect, but so close they look to be integrated.
If you look closely at the front base you will see the plate that covers the inletting for the ring to slide into. The rear has the same inlet but it is fitted in the photo with the ghost ring.

As for the looks of the rifle, i know how you feel Fergus, i went through that thought process. However, in the end i went for this set up because i want the gun to be very trim and light and If i am to use a ghost ring then i probably will not use a rear island or rib site. Besides, the ghost ring is the fastest target acquisition site and very rugged compared to a scope.

GSP7,
Yes they are CZ's.

Forrest,
since you asked...

My oh my, what a stick of wood.

We could auction that one off and raise a few bucks for the Scholarship rifle.

The Smithson mounts are impressive. I saw a pair that Hill Country Rifles was installing on a rifle a year or so ago. I understand that Blackburn sells the mounts, and you can see some photos on Blackburn's webpage:

http://www.blackburnmachine.com/338975.html

i like that peep site. Tom Burgess is working on an Enfield .416 Rigby for me that will take the same approach - front sight and scope mounts with a pop-up peep, and without a rear sight

Forrest,
Shes gettin cut now. Too late.

S. Texan,
Sounds like its going to be a nice one.

Re: Smithson rings. Do you have to depress both buttons at the same time to get the scope off? If so it seems like it would be awkward to be holding the rifle with one hand, the scope with the other and then trying to get the scope off. Tell me this isn’t the way it’s supposed to work?



I think I saw a set of these mounts at Ted’s table at Reno a couple of years ago, but stupidly didn’t pay too much attention to them at the time.

Cheers,
- stu

Stu,
No they do not require two buttons. That photo may be a photo of an early prototype.
They are only one button.
They fit together about as precise as current CNC machine technology wil allow and still allow the piece to be removed. Read...Very tight.

Joe sent me some nice high res photos of the bases, rings and his standard peep site. I will upload them later.