Suppose a fellow managed to acquire a best quality Gibbs as stated in the title. Here is what we know so far. The engraving on the action is in good condition but the action has gone grey, has that old patina look to it. The barrel has the original sights and loop for the sling but the outside is not great and the inside of the barrel has almost no rifling and is also damaged so we will call it "no good." Barrel is marked as a 400 EX, so rather a rare chambering. Fore end is original but the butt has been replaced. The replacement is well done but the wood is rather plain. So.... Would you bring it back to its original configuration (likely a 450-400 3 1/4 inch black powder express) by having a new barrel made and putting the old sights on the new barrel, match the original engraving and so on or.... Do you use the action and do an incredible modern build, maybe a 7x57R, really nice exhibition walnut stock, quarter rib, sights, scope in detachable rings, maybe re-color case the action and so on?
Putting it back to the original config is cool, though I realize it is no longer original. It would be fun to shoot once in awhile but would not get a lot of use. Doing a nice custom in a more usable caliber would mean more potential use and much more practical. I would like to hear some opinions and some thoughts from you guys that love these old rifles and appreciate them.
Posts: 445 | Location: USA | Registered: 26 March 2016
Surely a sporter action as opposed to a match action, that is a very good thing. I have done quite a few of these builds, you can go several ways. I build them as close to original whenever possible. Consider the .303 British, many Gibbs were rebarreled by the factory to this caliber, I own one such rifle. If you go for the full monty it will be costly for sure, nothing wrong with that to get the rifle you want. I tend to avoid recolor hardening whenever I can. Scoping a falling block can be problematic in getting proper eye relief. Great actions, what is the APUN#? The later guns are more suited to higher pressure rounds, smaller firing pin tips and a rebounding firing pin as opposed to the earlier design with the bump on the link to retract the pin.
If you decide to move on from this project, let me know, I'm a buyer as well as a builder.
I’d say that if you can, keep it as original as possible. The rifle has Metford rifling, which looks worn out when new, so depending on the further damage to the bore you could perhaps rebore and rechamber to 450 3-1/4” BPE which would be period and not need the extractor to be modified. I’d probably go that route if it were mine. I’d like it to be mine
Hello Huvius. Damage to the bore is some pitting as you can imagine. The worst is about two inches from the muzzle there are grooves/deep scratches perpendicular to the bore. My only guess is maybe a bullet got stuck and someone tried to dig it out with a tool of some kind. The rifling is shallow but it is Metford so maybe it's not as bad as I think. The rifle is very light weight. I think the replacement buttstock is not very dense. I also think it is 450-400 3 1/4 black powder currently as it is marked 400 EX. I am pretty sure it's just over 3.25 inches to the rifling. So makes sense.
Posts: 445 | Location: USA | Registered: 26 March 2016
The worst is about two inches from the muzzle there are grooves/deep scratches perpendicular to the bore. My only guess is maybe a bullet got stuck and someone tried to dig it out with a tool of some kind.
Rifle barrels are very convenient places for wasps to set up shop. I’ve seen a couple rifles with corrosion as you describe from mud daubers packing mud in there. Could be that but a lot can happen to a barrel in 140yrs!
