Shirley Falling Block action Info sort

22 March 2012, 00:01

Can anyone assit me?

I'm looking for information on the Shirely Falling Block Action and the Whittome action which I believe is a modified version of the Shirely. They are reputed to be some of the best falling block actions ever designed.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a great deal of information about either action on the internet.

Its been a life long ambition of mine to own a custom made falling block rifle, and I'm only going to get one chance at getting the choice right.

Many thanks

Jools

22 March 2012, 10:41

Idaho Sharpshooter

what country and time frame?

22 March 2012, 13:34

Jools

Country:United Kingdom
What little info I have says the Shirely Rifle Company ceased trading in 2004.

22 March 2012, 14:04

Grenadier

The book The British Falling Block Breechloading Rifle from 1865 has some information in chapter 18. It has a schematic of the action and some photos. There is also a page with photos and a description of a .700 built by Giles Whittome, serial number 7001. The actions were made in four different sizes base on intended bore diameters: .400" (the Lion), .500" (the Buffalo), .600" (the Elephant), and .700" (the Mammoth).

The book discusses how they were made and gives a little history. John Shirley made them from 1981 till 1988 when "At this stage Giles Whittome of Giles Whittome Sporting Guns Limited, Maker of Best Guns & Rifles, 39 Doughty Street, London WC1N 21F (Tel: 0171-831-4170, Fax: 0171-831-4099) acquired the rights to use the action and the .600" action size was introduced."

The bottom of the last page in the chapter lists three references under "Notes:". The final reference listed is an article by Michael Yardley in the publication The British Rifleman , Vol 1, No. 1, Autumn 1995, p. 22.

22 March 2012, 18:22

Grenadier

Found one for sale:

quote:
http://www.traderkeith.com/guns.html

This "Elephant Rifle" made by Giles Whittome of London is part of his "Mammoth Series". Built on the famous Shirley falling block action rated as the worlds finest. The rifle is cased in the most exquisite oak and leather with all the proper accessories, Snap Caps, cleaning rod, brush, jag, extraordinary rifle strap and a Giles Whittome engraved oil bottle. The .600 NE barrel is 24" with a very large standing rear sight marked 50 yds. and banded front sight with large ivory bead. The rib marked Giles Whittome London Elephant Rifle and action bridge Nitro 600 Express. The non-automatic safety is well-checkered and massive. A very finely fitted elephant hide recoil pad accents the beautiful wood of the stock, which measures 14 1/2" LOP. Checkering is flat-topped as one would expect. The weight is 13 lbs., 4 oz.

$25,000

Included in this sale is a CERTIFICATE OF PROOF and a new five round box of Westley Richards .600 NE 900 gr. ammunition.

22 March 2012, 19:58

Jools

I had managed to borrow the said book a while ago but it contained no mention of the Shirely action or Giles Whittome. I have since discovered following your post that I had a 1st edition and additional chapter was added in the 2nd edition which had the Shirely action and Whittome rifles included.

I'm now wondering if the action is a little to large for my intended project.

I have been told that John Shirely is now back trading as O'farrel and Shirely after a spell at David Lloyds and Giles whittome is still around mostly working as an expert firearms witness for the legal profession. Hopefully my informant will be able to provide some contact details.

If anyone has a copy of the Mike Yardley article I would dearly love to be able to read it.

Many thanks

Jools

22 March 2012, 20:19

Art S.

Jools

What is your intent? Your question reads like you are wanting to build a custom from an action, in which case finding an action like this would likely be impossible, and buying a historic rifle to strip would seem to be both expensive and unfair to the historical market. Why not start with something like one of the Ralf Martini actions. He sells actions or entire rifles. His actions look very much like the one in the picture, with the exception of the top of the breechblock. The pictured action also looks amazingly similar, in my mind, to the Dakota.

If you are looking for a Shirley and are in the UK, I would pester one of the big auction houses. One should eventually come up. According to the writeup, this is the largest size action. One of the smallest size may fit the bill.

22 March 2012, 23:21

Grenadier

Jools, I sent you a PM.

23 March 2012, 00:47

Jools

quote:
Originally posted by Grenadier:
Jools, I sent you a PM.

Many thanks. I have replied.

23 March 2012, 01:41

Jools

quote:
Originally posted by Art S.:
Jools

What is your intent? Your question reads like you are wanting to build a custom from an action, in which case finding an action like this would likely be impossible, and buying a historic rifle to strip would seem to be both expensive and unfair to the historical market. Why not start with something like one of the Ralf Martini actions. He sells actions or entire rifles. His actions look very much like the one in the picture, with the exception of the top of the breechblock. The pictured action also looks amazingly similar, in my mind, to the Dakota.

If you are looking for a Shirley and are in the UK, I would pester one of the big auction houses. One should eventually come up. According to the writeup, this is the largest size action. One of the smallest size may fit the bill.

Art

At present I am in something of a quandary. As I would ideally lke the rifle to be of the take down variety. Do I go the full custom route with a modified action built from scratch especially for the rifle. As would be required with the Shirely/Whittome action. Or do I go the semi custom route using an already produced action in the white by using a Hagn action produced by Ralf Martini or a Dakaota#10 as a donor, that again would need some modification.

I am slowly crossing off my solution options.

Thanks to your post I am now aware that Martini&Hagn have developed a mid sized take down falling block action, which at first glance would appear to fit my proposed spec precisely. Deciding who to commision to build the rifle is the next piece of the puzzle I'll need to spend some time on.

25 March 2012, 06:41

Grenadier

Jools,

I would rate the Hagn action far superior to the alternative you considered. By the way, Hagn has come up with a very small version of his action that would be great for a small bore. I saw and handled a rifle he built on it and the only word I can think of to describe it is 'sweet'.

01 April 2012, 23:07

Jools

Thanks. I had read that they had developed a smaller sized version of their regular action. As my intended calibre choice is out of
the 7mm family. I'm intending on using a standard size action.

02 April 2012, 02:28

Grenadier

The new Hagn action I was referring to is an extra-small. Hagn already made small, medium, and large actions.

I have a 300H&H rifle built on the medium action and it is properly proportioned for that cartridge. The medium action is just the right size for medium magnums but, I think, a bit large for a .30 caliber or smaller non-magnum cartridge. If you are going to be building something like a .280, 7x57, or 7mm-08 then I would suggest the small action. The small action is big enough for the 7mm Mags but, if you will be building something like a 7mm RemMag, 7mm STW, or 7mm Weatherby, I suggest the medium action.

Hagn medium action top and small action bottom:

Here are a couple of .300s built on the medium action:

Below, from top to bottom, a .270, a 6.5x55, and a 7mm Magnum - all built on small actions: