Hello,
Anyone out there familiar with subject single shot action?? Did they offer as complete rifles at one time, various calibers, when were they mfg., etc. Is the action of quality, durability, etc. Any info appreciated.

I can't not find any photos of this action, do you have any?

Hello,
I did at one time. I am going to visit the owner soon and will take some photos and see if I can post them. Owner is building a 45/70 on the action and I am helping him and we plan on sending to Turnbull for his magic touch. Fellow has some excellent marbled walnut for stocks and the end result should be very nice indeed. He has the resources for all manner of inspection/testing, but we are curious about the history, models, styles they originally offered the rifle.

Hello Grenadier,
Thank you very much for your information on the action. The designated round for this particular rifle is the 45-70 Gov't and based on what you say, should work OK. I spoke with the Turnbull folks and they feel there is no problem in color casehardening the action and might pass on that they advised that when sending them items to be treated the finish should not be a highly polished one, but something less than 400 grit. Reason being that a highly polished surface will indeed take the colors, but less polished items will bring about more vivid coloration??? Anyway, with the wood and classic sights being used on this rifle it should turn out nicely. Once we get the project done, will attempt to post some photos of the finished product. Again, thanks.

Good article Grenadier and will put the information to work in finishing this rifle.

Again, thanks, much appreciated.

I recall ordering literature on the FBW action back in 1978 or 1979. There were multiple action sizes, scaled from varmint calibers to very large rimmed cartridges. I can't remember how many different sizes, but it was at least 4, according to my recollection. There might have been a Gun Digest article on them from that era, or an article in American Rifleman or Guns and Ammo, which were the the only three shooting pubs I was reading at the time. I wasn't enough of a single shot rifle fanatic to spend the money for the action and then have someone build a rifle. $800/month just didn't go very far back then, especially with a wife in college.

I dug through my files and found a letter from FBW Inc. along with a price list and a brochure. If I recall I bought an action and latter traded it off before I did anything with it.

Letter is dated July 22, 1974. The price lsit shows two actions - a model H with a suggeted retail price of $99 and a dealer cost of $79; also a model J at a suggested retail price of $120 and a dealer price of $95.

The Model J looks somewhat like a High Wall without the tangs and is advertised with a bushed firing pin. The Model H is more streamlined looking and has 3 screws on the left side while the Model J has two. Barrel thread looks like a High Wall.

Information idicates the actions are investment cast of chrome moly steel and uses coil springs throughout.

FYI - it cost $.10 to mail the letter in !974!

I forgot to include that the location is shown as P.O. Box. 22, Troy, Mich. 48084 and the letter is post marked from same zip code.

Hello tvfinak,
Been busy and just picked up on your latest posting and owner of FBW action has it barreled and some outstanding wood to go with it and now has appropriate sights, so plan is to finish it early this winter. Believe it is going to turn out to be an outstanding piece in all respects and will try and post photos of it when it is done. Just took him a supply of 45/70 rounds and components last eve.