Mr. Dale53:

Well, if that ain't an interesting idea...

If I were me I would build it on a Winchester low wall action.  They make up into a beautiful little rifle with a #1 weight barrel. I have one here in .22 rf with a half octagon #1 barrel and it is light and handy and handsome. You could put a short straight tube scope on it like the Lyman 438 or a Wallensak and it would look right proper.

As a matter of fact, this is just what the low wall was meant to be.

As for chambering I would go with the .25-20, no question. I would consider the .32-20.  The .32 H&R would be OK, I reckon but it just don't fit the image of a rook rifle chambering to me. It just ain't natural.

Glenn

Dale,

Of course Martini's the way to go - after all rook rifles were british in origin, so you at least need a brit action for the rifle!  I believe the .32 mag would make a nice rook cartridge but that 32-20 (or 30-20) is very versatile too... - you could even rework a used  .30 match barrel, chop off the chamber and fit to the action (yes, I'm cheap...).  The Martini actions are cheap, solid, strong - and authentic for the type of rifle.
Actually, There is someone on the Martini board who recently bought a vintage scoped Martini sporter, small action,that really looks the part - will see if I can find his pics back...

Gert, that is a beauty, for sure! That has got to be the absolutely lowest-mounted scope I've ever seen...I like it!  Guess it's high time I started shopping for a small Martini action...

Dale, I've been corresponding with a retired gentleman from Texas, who has built some stunning light sporters on small Martini's.  If you'd like, I can email you a few pictures...might be something there you'd like.

Greg

Dale53, was not going to chime in on this discussion, but cannot resist! Do like GREEN_FROG’s Caliber choice, just a day or so ago I contacted Gail at CPA with my idea for a similar rifle. Recently acquired a 044 ½ Stevens {First 044 ½ I’ve held in my hands, the action is not much bigger than a favorite} came chambered in 219 Zipper, it has some very UGLY shaped wood & the barrel to frame fit is not the best, the bluing was done in a bucket. Decided it needed to become a lightweight fun gun in 25-20SS caliber, a #1 Octagon 26”-27” barrel, straight grip stock & single screw forearm, will have action color cased and barrel rust blued. Well that’s the plan, now all I need is the $$$ to get it going. If you can locate a 044 ½ action, IMHO it would make the perfect "gentleman's" lightweight "carry-around" rifle, best part is it a take down originally and has an exposed hammer, another barrel in 32 H&R or? is not out of the question.

Best to you on this project, 
MIKE-T

Well Dale you've done it now! I've been wondering what to do with this ugly old Comblain, and was close to selling it. But now I think I'll reline it to .25-20, or .32-20, and keep it. The present caliber is a .380 Rook and it's a real turkey to make ammo for, with it's .370" bore, and case similar to .38 Long Colt.
If you went with a Martini, you might try to find one of these old Martini Rook rifles, with the exposed hammer indicator? It's a nice device, as it allows me to lower the hammer externally, and see when it's cocked. This one's a 230 Morris Long.
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Vall:

I really like that Comblain. It is the first nice one I have ever seen. Cool!

Glenn

dale53, i also love those little british single shots. however, being one of those independent minded americans, i believe it should definately be a low wall and in the best spirit of teddy roosevelt, be called "little medicine" rifles. 22 hornet  is about as vintage as they come, not to mention accurate and effective. and hopefully be finished as fine as the one martinibelgium sent pics of....that gun was great!!....this is just going to cost me money , as the wheels are beginning to crank already..........damn.....blue

Are rather rare - but I do believe the period Parker-Hale catalogues might just have a few more illustrations.  Unfortunately I don't have these...   
The rifle pictured - I quote the owner:
"This was a Special order starting from a BSA Mod 6 Receiver and done by AG Parker, best wood and engraving including on the scope mounts, polished and tuned action, only ran from aprox 1933 till 1941."  Apparently the barrel is relieved on top to mount the scope...
Parker-Hale also scoped the Dewar Target rifle, but they used either a Fecker or something similar - long tube, and long block spacing.   
For a rook, something like a straight-tubed scope at max 4x would be ideal, but eye relief could be a problem though when mounting it as shown.  I'll also check in the Francotte documentation, but I'm afraid there won't be much..

My .02c here.........

I have several low walls and Cadet Martinis in suitable rook chamberings. For best looks I'll go with a low wall every time. For best accuracy & lightest weight I'll chose the Cadet.

I have a Francotte Cadet made for the Victorian Government of Australia prior to their Federation, fitted with a light GM octagon bbl (like Froggie's) in 256 Win Mag. It has a little quarter-rib dovetailed for either the early Kimber/Warne Premier rings or the common 22RF tip-off rings, works well with either. It's currently fitted with a little short 6x Burris straight-tube 1" dia scope that has enough eye relief so that the eyepiece is just forward of the breechblock's rear hinge pin by maybe 1/2" or so. This allows unrestricted removal of the fired case under/behind the scope's eyepiece, and relatively unrestricted access for initial chambering by inserting my index finger under the eyepiece to thrust the cartridge fully into the chamber if needed.

Looks kinda funny with the little short scope but is eminently practical and lightweight. I currently have a 5x Winchester 677 scope at Parsons for refurbishment, will try it on the little Martini when I get it back. I believe the 677 clamp-on type mounts will work on the little quarter-rib just fine even though they're the external-adjustment type.

Am shooting (VBG) for a 5-lb ultimate weight limit. How's that for light? BTW that's not obtainable with a wall, too much steel.
Sounds like a great project, good luck, Joe

Here's a suggestion for an original rook rifle cartridge that is both fun, and accurate. The little 230 Morris, which is actually the world's first .22 centerfire. It's base case is the same as the .22 Hornet, but a whole lot shorter. I make mine from Hornet cases, and even with a full load of Unique, it's still extremely mild, and the Low Wall or Martini more than handles it easily.
Here's the little Morris next to a .25-20 WCF for comparison.
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I have been a little slow to respond as I am on a trip down south. 

Lots of nice replies and excellent ideas.

I have lots of experience with both calibers (.32 H&R Magnum AND the 25/20 WCF). I have a Marlin 1894 (new Model) in 25/20 and it is quite a performer. It'll shoot in the 10 ring of the Official NRA 50 yard target all day long with a squirrel load, an intermediate load and a high speed load (nearly 2200 fps. I consider that excellent for a cast bullet lever action. I have shot a number of squirrels with the 25/20 and it is just a better caliber for the purpose than my all time favorite caliber, the .22 rimfire.

However, the Froggie got me intriqued in the possibility of using the .32 Mag in a light rifle. 

I just realized that I have a TC Contender Action and wood for a light rifle. That would work just fine with either caliber and I only have the cost of the barrel. H-m-m-m! That has definite possibilites....

Dale53

Dale53, Since you already have the Marlin in 25-20, you NEED a rifle in 32 H&R. You spoke of the Contender route, DON'T waste your time on a TC brand (Fox Ridge) barrel in 32 H&R. Been there and done that without much success in both 10" and 24". Bore is .308 and chambers were very sloppy. I'd find someone who could make it in the correct bore if you go that route. 

Ed

Ed and Froggy;
Thank you both for your insight. I will give both suggestions serious consideration. I was thinking of a Bulberry barrel but his web site shows .308 for the bore size. I prefer the "proper" bore size. In fact, when I was shooting hunter pistol, I used a .32 H&R Mag from TC with only fair results. I then bought a JD Jones custom barrel with the correct specs. It shot really well up thru 75 yards but failed at 100 ( I believe because I didn't have the right bullet). I really needed a longer, heavier bullet. I ended up with a .30 Carbine with a 165 gr bullet for GREAT results.

Back to this discussion: my experience with TC barrels paralleled Ed's and Froggy's suggestion just might be the way to go. Anyone got a "throw-away" Contender barrel?

Dale53

MI-shooter;
    I would appreciate info on the .297/230 article if you find the time. Actually I need it like another hole in my head but it is just enough different to get my attention. Just ask Asst!

Thanks
Don 

Dale,

Neck down?  Normally the heel should be a rather tight fit in the unsized case - I seat mine (admittedly in an original .310) just friction tight in fired brass.  Could be you need to play with case length, though in order to get the heeled bullet to chamber.  Enjoy - the original .310 is a real pleasure to shoot, and so is a 32-20, so a hybrid of both should also perform nicely...

Dale53;
           My  BSA Cadet is chambered for the 32/20 but will not shoot the 32/20 bullet with any accuracy. I understand that these Cadets can have different bore sizes because of different makers, mine needs a .318 bullet. I'm considering boring out the base band on a Lyman 31141 [ .314 ] bullet mould.    leadball

Dale,
It just is a question of trimming back the case to the point where the (possibly shortened) case with the heeled bullet will chamber - a chamber cast will of course help you a lot there...
I am convinced that the heeled .310 bulllet is the way to go in the 32-20 rechambered rifles - you need a bullet that will be a reasonable fit in that bore, and that will set up into the rifling.  FWIW, I once tried a WW+tin bullet in my cadet with just a primer (small rifle), and the bullet (inclusing the heel) set up alomost prefectly with just the primer impulse....  These little rifles can be quite accurate indeed, it just takes a bit of work.

Dale,
Check your mail...

Good people;
If you have written me (to my e-mail address) please be patient. I'll be out of town (down here in North Carolina in the sunny south) until November 8, 2005. So, I can't reply until then.

However, if you need my P.O. address:
R. Dale McGee
103 Fairborn Drive
Hamilton, Ohio 45013

I am getting a bit excited about working with the Cadet. It will be a fun project.

I will probably be using Unique for a light load. My choice for a full pressure load (.32/20) will be with RL-7. I have had really good luck with these powders in the .25/20 and would expect the same with the .32/20 x Cadet.

Dale53

DonH-Article mailed yesterday, sorry, I just kept getting sidetracked!