There is an outfit producing parts kit castings of a Westley Richards 1897 Farquharson and I contacted Leonard Bull regarding both the kits and his short course on finishing the kit. I was looking for an excellent student who might be willing to sell his project or to undertake another on commission. What I learned was that Bull knew of no professional gunsmiths (nor unusually talented amateurs) who had finished a kit. Bull is essentially retired and not taking jobs to do them himself (more's the pity).

Does anyone know of anyone who has finished one of these kits and done a high quality job of it?

Machined Farky actions have been made by Century Arms in Australia these have been used by Rigby and H&H and are top quality.

www.centuryarms.com.au

Steve

Thanks, Steve! It may be a real pain to import, but I'll have a look.

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Originally posted by RLI:
Machined Farky actions have been made by Century Arms in Australia these have been used by Rigby and H&H and are top quality.

http://www.centuryarms.com.au

Steve

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I did not see the actions on the web site you show. But the price on the double rifles makes me wish for a trip down under!

You might have to email Century Arms ask for John Saunders, I know he has a few actions out the back. I do not think they are cheap but he can export to USA and our dollar is .76 to US Dollar.

Steve

Thank you RLI. E-mail sent.

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Originally posted by Ulfhere (HTL):
There is an outfit producing parts kit castings of a Westley Richards 1897 Farquharson and I contacted Leonard Bull regarding both the kits and his short course on finishing the kit. I was looking for an excellent student who might be willing to sell his project or to undertake another on commission. What I learned was that Bull knew of no professional gunsmiths (nor unusually talented amateurs) who had finished a kit. Bull is essentially retired and not taking jobs to do them himself (more's the pity).

Does anyone know of anyone who has finished one of these kits and done a high quality job of it?

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Be VARY, VARY CAREFULL of this guy. My mould maker tells me he's had trouble in the past with these two gents company.

What trouble? I have bought a few items from Century Arms and no complaints.

Steve

RLI, BFD was referring to the company in the US that makes the kits.

I don't know if this is related to that expressed concern, but Leonard Bull acknowledged that he had some trouble getting quality parts manufactured in an earlier stage of their venture.

Action Castings, LLC
407 Goddard
Trinidad, CO 81082
719-846-7362
kits@actioncastings.us
www.actioncastings.us

Action Castings is the outfit I referenced in my original post, however they do not provide finished actions, only rough investment castings of the parts and some drawings.

Perhaps someone at Action Castings can refer you to a smith who has done a good job of finishing one. Probably the folks at Ballard Rifle Company could do it, they do a fantastic job on other classic single shots. Butch Searcy has also built some Farqs, don't know whose castings he uses.

I can vouch for Leonard Bull as a talented gunsmith and man of vast experience. He was trained at Holland and Holland. Gunsmith in Kenya. Instructor for Trinidad State for years.

Gordon is a talented artist, tool and die man who is also trained in investment casting, and a graduate of Trinidad State.

Ulfhere

I spoke to Gordon the other day and mentioned your inquiry. He said he would be willing to finish an action for you. He has new parts being cast as we speak, in 8620, 4130, and stainless steel. He also plans to offer semi inleted stocks in differant styles. He has finished a complete rifle except for test firing and bluing the barrel. It is chambered in 45-90. He will have pictures available shortly.

You can contact him at smoke@actioncastings.us. It is difficult to talk to him on the phone because of his hearing impairment.

Another maker of action castings is Rodney Storie, in OK. An outfit called Frontier Armory is handling the sales; contact Wes Stanley at 405-794-9171.

Some of the casting moulds Storie picked up are of an older design, and Storie is currently reworking these and developing new ones as well. Stanley should be able to let you know which are the better ones. Actions available include the Gibbs Farquharson 1877, Jeffery Farquharson 1895, Deely & Edge 1883, Farrows, Ballards, Sharps, etc.

As for gunsmiths to finish an action, you might also look over the forums at www.assra.com. A Glenn Fewless in WI has a good reputation there. Look over the postings by user ken_hurst. He's an engraver with a fetish for single shots who has had several Storie actions finished for him.

It sounds, though, as if this Gordon at Action Castings is the way to go. He designed the thing after all.

The Westley Richards 1897 is a good action, not a Farquharson internally altho it looks like one outside. I have an original that was a .303, now it is rebarreled to .30-40, has a kicking ejector which is very nice.