Not a Gibbs pattern action, more of a Jeffery PD style action - well, Gibbs did use a similar action on a couple rifles. Would be a lot of work, skilled work at that, to complete but I’d think that a good complete original action would run 4-5 times that cost.
This set of investment castings appear to be the kit that Leonard Bull of Trinidad, Colorado produced. Leonard and Gordon Roberts taught a class at Trinidad to build a rifle from this kit a number of years ago. Leonard took an original action and built/machined a full set of injection molds. He had trouble finding a foundry who would produce the wax and castings on a small scale. I introduced Leonard to the owners of Wichita Manufacturing here in Wichita Falls, TX. Later I acted as liaison between the two and assisted in shipping to Colorado. Leonard was a fine man and a brother Mason. He was a gunsmith trained in England, worked a number of years in Africa then came to USA and was an instructor at Trinidad. It would be interesting to know what happened to those molds. The actions were cast in 8620 and 4130.
Craftsman
Posts: 1556 | Location: North Texas | Registered: 11 February 2001
Originally posted by Craftsman: This set of investment castings appear to be the kit that Leonard Bull of Trinidad, Colorado produced. Leonard and Gordon Roberts taught a class at Trinidad to build a rifle from this kit a number of years ago. Leonard took an original action and built/machined a full set of injection molds. He had trouble finding a foundry who would produce the wax and castings on a small scale. I introduced Leonard to the owners of Wichita Manufacturing here in Wichita Falls, TX. Later I acted as liaison between the two and assisted in shipping to Colorado. Leonard was a fine man and a brother Mason. He was a gunsmith trained in England, worked a number of years in Africa then came to USA and was an instructor at Trinidad. It would be interesting to know what happened to those molds. The actions were cast in 8620 and 4130.
Yes, and no. Everything you stated about Len and the action kits that he and Gordon put together is correct, but the above kit was not one of them. The kits Len put together were based off of the Westley 1897 action, the above kit is a Jeffery pattern farquharson. All the parts on Len's kits were intentionally over-sized to account for shrinkage and quite a bit of work was required to get the parts fit up and shaped, the above kit looks to be one produced by Rodney Story.
Yes, and no. Everything you stated about Len and the action kits that he and Gordon put together is correct, but the above kit was not one of them. The kits Len put together were based off of the Westley 1897 action, the above kit is a Jeffery pattern farquharson. All the parts on Len's kits were intentionally over-sized to account for shrinkage and quite a bit of work was required to get the parts fit up and shaped, the above kit looks to be one produced by Rodney Story.
Thanks Steve, Very informative.
Craftsman
Posts: 1556 | Location: North Texas | Registered: 11 February 2001
Originally posted by Michael Robinson: Steve, isn’t the Jeffery pattern entirely derivative of the Gibbs military action? I believe Winfer thought so, but could be wrong.
Yes, but they are commonly known as the Jeffery action, why I do not know. More correctly they are called the PD Farquharson, Public Domain, after the Gibbs patent expired. Pretty much a simplified Gibbs action, no removable trigger group, less parts, easier to make. I have a Holland in .30 Super on this action, it is a very nice rifle.
