Hi guys, just wanted to make an announcement & get feedback re. a project I've thought about.  I have bought four lowall actions recently.  I am planning on hand polishing same to a 600 grit finish. All actions will be perfect inside parts wise.  My intent is to engrave each action in a banknote scroll design and leave in the white. The coverage will be about 65% to 75%. As these actions will be in the white, the buyer can either blue, color case or plate. He can also have it stocked to suit his taste.

The big Question ;

Do y'all think there would be a market for these actions ??  If it works out I will continue to offer same service on other actions as they come available. All opinions appreciated

Thanks for the reply Brent.  In responce to your thoughts,  the actions I have all have a standard trigger and three are rimfire. None of these actions came with bbl's. or stocks. One action is a leaf spring and the other three are coil spring. Two actions are Winder actions and I will be having the four holes on right side tig welded up with low carbon wrie , hand polished down so it won't be visiable once blued/cased. I have yet to do the engraving so I won't know the total cost presently but feel they will be about $800. to $1000. This price includes the action, restoration, hand polishing and engraving. The action won't have a finish on it but I can forward it out for that work if requested.   

Okay, hope this answers some questions but am sure more might pop up and look forward to them.  Thanks again,   Ken

Ken,
  See you answered my questions while I was writing my reply.    In any event there should be some demand for those looking for them, altho I'd be looking for the pistol grip and set triggers.

PETE

Ken,
If you have pistol-grip, double set trigger, low wall actions engraved and in the white at $800 or so, that would be interesting indeed.   

I have a large-shank 'wall barrel in .25-20 waiting for a low wall action to show itself.  Fortunately, I haven't seen one.  I say "fortunate" because I don't have the clams at the moment.

Brent

Ken,
  Well, you don't want to get in to big a hurry to give up on the idea. You're giving us bits and pieces on what you have and shoot us a price, and then come back with what you are willing to do to make the actions more sellable. I don't think if you would take straight grip Low Walls and have them modified to pistol grip and DST's that anyone was thinking that we could get them for the $800 you originally threw out.

  Also, I'm not sure you wouldn't have to change the levers if you would have DST's put in, since single trigger Low Walls aren't long enuf. What about SST's? No external modification to the gun would be necessary, and the necessary parts would be a lot easier to make.

  And of course..... What would you be asking for them? No one will commit themselves to your action unless they have some reasonable idea of it. I might be able to see my way clear to the CF action in either a DST or SST.

PETE

Ken, methinks that this action project might work if a Steve Earle (or other) copy of the SST might be incorporated in the mix.  This requires, as you know, modifying the trigger shoe itself with a screw and spring and the addition of the little auxillary sear.  Also the hammer must be slit for and fitted with a fly (not a problem on the Winders as it is already there.)  Lever remains unchanged, original tang is used (or bent and used) and the finished product is the basis for a good solid shooter as well as a piece of art.  If somebody wants DSTs fitted, that would probably end up adding at least $300-$400 to the project, but if that's what they want...
BTW, I think I know where there might be a fourth low-wall wanting to get into this project.  8)
the Green Frog

For those interested in double sets - wide style - Ballard will fit them on an action for about $150 as I recall.  You can get lever from them or one from CPA.  The CPA lever will need polishing and coloring.  Been there, done that.

Brent

Pete,  I just talked to my g'smith partner and he is making a fixture to bend tangs to prigional shape.  He tells me he would charge $30. for the service.  He has made a fixture that has small studs that fit into the holes for screw heads which prevents them from closing up when bent. The shape of the fixture prevents any lateral/sideways movement of the tang so it will be truly straight laterally.  Now Mr. Pete.  The C.F. lowall was a rim fire and comes with a rim fire extracter AND a rimless extracter. The firing pin is bushed but has no pin and isn't drilled for a pin yet as there isn't any bbl. on the action.  If you want to ask more questions, why not give me a call at 252-795-6670 EST.  The ph. is at my bench so it will be no problem.   Ken

Ken, a few observations from this neck o' the woods. Low wall complete standard actions are currently selling in the $300-$450 range IF in good shape. Add $100-$200 for the single set trigger & at least another $50-$100 for the pistol grip contour. Subtract $100 for an unwelded late Winder musket frame and add $50-$100 for an early paneled flareside frame. Subtract $100 for an unconverted 32RF or 38RF. I have noticed no difference in price between the 22RF actions and the CF ones, at least in the low walls.

Of course these are generalities based upon my own recent experiences and are certainly not intended to be anything more than a SWAG, prices vary tremendously sometimes. But this would indicate that a good PG SST action could be sold for $550-$700 before any adjustment, polishing, engraving or other gunsmithing is done. So, Ken, your $1000 price sounds like a heckuva bargain to me.

Food for thought: converting a standard single trigger to SST is easily done but will cost the average person about $150-$200 by the time he obtains not only the trigger parts but also the slotted sear and hammer with fly. Parts are available but usually require fitting & timing. Between the efforts of myself & our mutual friend HST & the Winchester Wall parts guy in FL, we can probably keep your SST expenses down pretty low whereas it'd cost anyone else twice as much.

I especially like the original low wall for the 22LR cartridge, due to its kicking ejector. My big fat fingers have trouble picking out the fired cases without help.

Thanks for the info Vall BUT, I have Steve Earle starting to program his lathe & mill to start making close couple & dbl. set trigers for the Win.  Afterwards he will probably start truggers for the Rem. rollers and Ballards.  He has some serious plans for improving the Win. triggers such as having trunions for the triggers . This one factor will eliminate any lateral monement.  Ken

Ken,
  Good to hear that. I'm in no big hurry for mine, but yesterday would have been nice! 

PETE

Ken,
  Yes.... Steve must learn to get his priorities straight! I really think he ought to consider our needs over his, dn't you think! 

PETE