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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Weird Singleshot?? (Read 9704 times)
Captain_Ahab
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Weird Singleshot??
Apr 26th, 2006 at 12:17am
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Hi,

I'm new to the sinbgle shot crowd of collectors. 
I've got a neat Ballard Marlin Pacific rifle and then I found this
single shot rifle with one mark only on it. And, it was under the forestock. 
It is marked "RANDJEA" #342

Octagon barrel, nice looking lines. 
I'll post pics tomorrow.

Thanks!
  
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Green_Frog
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #1 - Apr 26th, 2006 at 2:24pm
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Are you saying that the rifle you got as a Ballard Pacific had only the RANDJEA #342 mark, or is that a second rifle?  I have seen some Ballards that had all their receiver marks buffed off and just a barrel number, but I'm a little confused by your post. ???  I will be looking forward to your pictures.

Froggie
  
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Captain_Ahab
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #2 - Apr 26th, 2006 at 7:36pm
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Quote:
Are you saying that the rifle you got as a Ballard Pacific had only the RANDJEA #342 mark, or is that a second rifle?  I have seen some Ballards that had all their receiver marks buffed off and just a barrel number, but I'm a little confused by your post. ???  I will be looking forward to your pictures.

Froggie
Grin Yea... It was kind of a rambling post...

Two different rifles. My Ballard is well marked. 
That odd ball rifle is marked "RANDJEA 1"  with an additional "342" up a little farther on the barrel. All markings are under the forestock. 
I'll post a link to some photos in about 2 hours. 
The bore is 22 and has this odd star shape to the bore. 

  
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Captain_Ahab
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #3 - Apr 30th, 2006 at 8:05pm
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Here is a link to a bunch of photos of this gun. 
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)
  
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Paul_F.
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #4 - Apr 30th, 2006 at 8:12pm
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It appears to be a form of Flobert... 
As I understand it, they were used as gallery rifles in Europe, adn imported to the U.S.
Not highly thought of for strength.. if you decide to shoot it, you might want to stick to .22 short or at the very least, use standard velocity LR rounds.

They sure are handsome rifles though!  I've reluctantly passed up a couple on online auctions. One day, I'm sure I won't be able to stand it any more and I'll buy one.

(Note, if I'm contradicted by folks that actually KNOW stuff about 'em, listen to them, not to me... )
Paul F.
  
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Green_Frog
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #5 - Apr 30th, 2006 at 8:19pm
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I'm with Paul F.  It seems to be some sort of Flobert design.  I would be pretty hesitant to fire it with ANY modern ammo, but at most would probably use CB caps or something along those lines.  At the risk of arousing the ire of some, I would categorize the Flobert rifles as the "Saturday Night Specials" of single shot rifles.  They were mass produced cheaply, mostly in Belgium I believe, and were available to the masses who couldn't afford more strongly built rifles.  I personally would find a nice place over the mantle for it, but that's my own view...as with all things, YMMV!    Wink

Froggie
  
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Paul_F.
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #6 - Apr 30th, 2006 at 8:22pm
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See.. I can't STAND having a rifle I can't shoot...
That's why I decided NEVER to buy a low numbered Springfield 1903.. .even though I love the '03 and would love to have a pre-WWI example.   

Same with the Floberts... 
I just couldn't STAND not shooting it. .22 Shorts, and SAFETY GLASSES...

(CB caps are probably a better idea...).

Paul F.
  
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gwahir
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #7 - May 7th, 2006 at 1:30am
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Well, there are floberts and there are floberts. The one above my door is a true wall hanger with a rather weak action; a 'trap door' design. This one, however, appears to be a rolling block, and pretty much a top of the line flobert! I like it!
  
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Drifter_Mike
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #8 - May 7th, 2006 at 1:57pm
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I have one that is similar, had a bad bore so I re-lined it with a 22 liner. I will ONLY shoot CB caps or the Colibre ammo thru it. These were designed for black powder loads, with all the newer 22s out there, why take a chance at destroying a antique and possibly injuring yourself?
  
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QuestionableMaynard8130
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #9 - May 8th, 2006 at 10:50pm
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I recall reading somewere in the past that while many "floberts: were little more than junk, "cloverene salve specials";  some were pretty high quality little parlor target rifles,  not as elaborate as the "zimmerschuetzens" but a sort of franco-belgian equivilent.  yours looks like one of the better sort. I'd say the CB caps or 22 shorts at the most might work if a qualified gunsmith says its OK.
  
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ken_hurst
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #10 - May 9th, 2006 at 1:27pm
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DWS is correct re. "parlor gun"  they were mostly used as an indoor BB or CB target gun however there are some found that handle 22 shorts --- never seen one chambered for bigger case.   FWIW,   ken
  
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vigillinus
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #11 - May 24th, 2006 at 3:15am
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I would think that gun was made for American sale.   A gun made to sell in Europe would not have such an extreme crescent buttplate.  It looks to be of decent quality as Floberts go, try it with BB or CB caps but WEAR GLASSES - as indeed  you should shooting any rifle.
  
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MerwinBray
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Re: Weird Singleshot??
Reply #12 - Jun 21st, 2006 at 7:49pm
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My wife bought a neat one about 15 years ago. It has the number 2 on several parts. It's block swings in from the side, I have never seen anothe like. And I have seen hundreds, if not more, at gun shows. It has double set triggers, some engraving and is a 9mm rimfire. The rifling on it looks like a muzzle loader, very slow twist. I have never measured the twist, but it turns maybe 1-1/2 times the length of the barrel. We got a hold of some 9mm round ball rimfire stuff from the Old Western Scounger, but never had the cahonas to shoot it. Like Drifter Mike said, why chance destroying it. Its neat.
I am a flobert fan and do have one I have shot with the cb longs with no problems, but I have another I wouldn't dream of shooting. And then I have a neat .32 rimfire cadet flobert with the full length militery style stock. Just neat fun guns. I have never paid more than 95.00 for one, and even was given one for free. Most of 'em ain't worth much. Enjoy the gun whatever you do, and be safe! Merwin
  
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