Sharing firearm history and preserving it for future generations. Welcome to my site where among other things, I'll be sharing my interest and passion for firearms including collecting and antique firearm restoration. It'll be a developing record of topics...
45-70 Government: The Curious Case of Random Recoil
Let me guess; you’ve heard the following quotes before. Probably even in the same conversation: “45-70’s? Nah, doesn’t kick hard at all! No worse than my shotty!” “45-70’s? Ohhh wow… yeah those things will just about rattle my teeth...
Model 1871/84 Mauser Bolt Disassembly
After restoring my Model 1871/84 Mauser which had mold ingress issues, I've decided to also completely strip-down and clean the bolt too. While the bolt is relatively clean with only a little dried oil, it's important that I don't...
Model 1886 Steyr Kropatschek Bolt Disassembly
Today I needed to pull down a bolt for complete cleaning after picking up a Model 1886 Steyr Kropatschek Short Rifle a few months ago. The rest of the rifle needs the same treatment but this was the starting...
Preserving an excellent condition Model 1871/84 Mauser – but why?
A recent addition to the collection is an excellent condition, ‘all-matching numbers’, Model 1871/84 Mauser. The reason it's in such great condition is because it appears to be unissued as it’s missing the tell-tale regimental markings that the old...
Stock Escutcheon Nut Test
I have the new die to clean up the old stock bolt threads but I don’t think it’ll be quite suitable. I’ll need to get another die that’s adjustable and work the steel in more gradual amounts. I did...
New Weatherby Vanguard S2 Stainless
I’ve recently decided to change-out my current 300 Win Mag for a Weatherby Vanguard S2 Stainless. There was nothing inherently wrong with the beautifully timbered CZ 550 Lux that I had but it had become a bit of a...
One down; two to go! The Brazilian Comblain Carbine fixes!
Today was quite productive with one of the Brazilian Comblain Carbine fixes complete. The small retention locking screw for the action was finished off and blued. It's now in-place and is a perfect fit. The new replacement screw now...
32 Ballard Extra Long
For those wondering what a 32 Ballard Extra Long (32 Wesson Extra Long) looks like as mentioned in the previous post; the above picture shows the 32 Long Rifle (black bullet) next to the full length 32 Extra Long.
Making the action retention screw for the Brazilian Comblain Carbine
Well it was back to the lathe today for an attempt at recreating the tiny locking screw that retains one of the main action screws in place. This is a very difficult screw to make as the specific thread...
The 32 Long Rifle Cartridge
The big brother of the world's most popular cartridge; 22LR. If you've found this page, you may already know how difficult it can be making a 32 Long Rifle (32LR) cartridge or even the centerfire version of it. There's...
11x50R Belgian Albini
Today was an attempt at recreating a dummy cartridge in the 150 year old 11x50R Belgian Albini. This antique and long obsolete cartidge is actually very similar to the 11x52R Beaumont cartridge. This shouldn't be too surprising given how...
Brazilian Comblain Carbine Stock Escutcheon Nut Underway
A two week Easter break is so far proving fruitful with the stock escutcheon nut recreation underway. I was going to start with some 5mm brass sheet but decided on using 20mm round bar stock after the sheet was...