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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Highwall (Read 12379 times)
smokerider
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Highwall
Feb 10th, 2007 at 9:54pm
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Hi, my first post, and new member to this site. I need help with a rifle I have aquired. It is a highwall varmit rifle built by M.S. Risley and chambered for 22 lightning. This rifle is awesome and built in the 1940,s and to the highest of standards: Shortened, lightened action, single set trigger, heavy barrel, 30X unertle,black walnut...on and on.. More importantly I have every letter form Risley to the customer discussing every aspect of building this rifle- he explains due to the rationing of gas and powder (WWII) it has hampered his testing of this rifle. Harvey Donaldson lived in the same town as Risley and was involved in the testing and load development of this paticular rifle. I have test targets shot by Donaldson signed and dated on them with the loads- he writes in a letter to the customer what load to use and he said he is sending 50 fireformed cases he made up for the rifle( I have that box of unloaded cases just as they came, also I have all the custom made loading tools Risley made for the gun- he states he cut the chamber with the same reamer he made the sizing die) Donaldson goes on to state this is the most accurate rifle I have ever fired. I have 20 pages of letters and documentation of this rifle. As you all know M.S. Risley did all the metal gunsmithing on Bob Owens guns. I know this sounds like a tall tale but I assure you this all is the truth. Now what I need help with is what to do with it. I am not into historic single shot rifles ( sorry guys Embarrassed) But I recoginize the historical value of this firearm and want it to end up with someone who is interested in preserving this museum piece( I think) I would appreciate any advise you all may have. Thanks dave in ohio
  
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hst
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Re: Highwall
Reply #1 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 12:02am
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Dave:

A most interesting rifle. Sounds like MP's cup of tea...

Do you have any pictures?

Glenn
  
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MP
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Re: Highwall
Reply #2 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 12:18am
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Dave,
I would love to learn more about the rifle, such as the customers’ name. Do you know if Risley also did the stocking on the rifle?  Many varmint rifles have been converted back to more traditional calibers when the supply of original single-shot rifles dried up.  I’m glad you’re working to preserve it, the day is not far off when folks will be looking for original varmint rifles. If you would like to discuss this in more detail either here or off line, I’ll listen.
Michael Petrov / Alaska   mjpetrov@acsalaska.net
  
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smokerider
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Re: Highwall
Reply #3 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 7:32am
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I Have pics, not sure how to post them though. I found out about the gun from a friend who heard the guy wanted to take the gun apart and sell it for its pieces-he figured he could make more for it this way- like I said this isnt my cup of tea but I could not buy it- and try to find it a fitting home. Told the wife it was kind of  a rescue mission. From my understanding after tracking down a previous owner. The guns was built for a guy named RR Sherman, a banker in Mclean Va- wealthy and liked nice rifles- I doubt he ever shot the gun from what it sounds like. He sold it to a Mr AL Lancaster in Atchison Kansas. it was sold from a ad in the American Rifleman in June 1943 between these two men. (yes I have a copy to verify this) sale price 140.00 Lancaster writes to Sherman that the gun wont shot well- Sherman writes back that it sounds like a lose scope mount and I have that 3 page letter. that describes how to load it ect..)There is so much info: letters with envolpes 3 cent stamps, its hard to figure all this out- all of it is interesting as heck to read though. I am no expert, and have only a basic understanding of firearms but I just know this gun is special. I want to start the adoption process- but I will only sell it to someone who will appreciate it. I think this would be a great weapon from which to write a article because there is so much documentation- I can document every owner from the construction to me- and I'm the only one left standing. The good part is I paid very little for it- I dont need the money and have turned down several offers to buy it because they wanted to rechamber it to something modern. My only motive is to get this into the hands of someone who will preserve and cherise it. ( my turn is over Smiley I want someone else to enjoy it) thanks for the comments- if someone can help me post pics I will email them some if anyone is interested. Sorry to be so long winded, dave
  
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smokerider
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Re: Highwall
Reply #4 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 7:44am
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I appoligized for being long winded and here I am posting again- I got out all the documentation and was going through it thought you would like to hear the load H Donaldson worked up. This is written on a 100 yard target "5 shot group with RRSherman rifle 8X Flecker scope,no forearmand old stock attached shot by H A Donaldson may4 1937 witnessed by M S Risley and HP Smith" "Load used 9.5 primer, 36 grn 4064(I think 35 grn would be even better)55 grn Sisk Ex Magnum Bullets .224" My own graphite wad bullet loaded out to touch lands- signed HA Donaldson" then a note on the bottom #4320 is also ok in the .224" Krag. all 5 shots touching- I'll take a pic of this also if anyone is interested. ( I think this is all interesting though I dont know what the heck they are talking about Smiley
  
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whitey hanson
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Re: Highwall
Reply #5 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 12:30pm
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Hi I would be very interested in talkin to you and seeing a picture of this gun if possible.
If you could email me with a phone # I would be glad to call you.Whitey    email    whanson@plainstel.com
  
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MP
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Re: Highwall
Reply #6 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 12:43pm
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Pictures please at mjpetrov@acsalaska.net , I'll post them here.

MP
« Last Edit: Feb 11th, 2007 at 12:57pm by »  
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smokerider
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Re: Highwall
Reply #7 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 1:11pm
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I'll try to get them today, my neice is having her 18 bd party so it might be latter tonight. dave
  
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Bert_H.
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Re: Highwall
Reply #8 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 2:06pm
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Hello Dave,

It sounds like a real interesting old high-wall, and I ma looking forward to seeing pictures of it. The fact that it is tied to Harvey Donaldson is really neat. 

From a historical standpoint, have you researched it with the Cody Firearms Museum to determine what its original factory configuration and date of manufacture was? If not, and you would like to do so, please post the serial number (or send it to me at Win1885@msn.com), and I will have it researched for you.

Regards,
Bert
  
Real Men own and shoot a WINCHESTER Single Shot!
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smokerider
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Re: Highwall
Reply #9 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 3:14pm
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Just took some pics and will send them on, have been going through some of the letters Donaldson writes the rifle Risley is using to build this gun is well known to Donaldson as it belonged to a friend of his uncles and he watched it win many Creedmorelong range matches- t6his is written by Donaldson on his letterehead I will sen a pic. the serial number is  111208
  
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Green_Frog
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Re: Highwall
Reply #10 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 3:43pm
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That's a little strange...there weren't all that many Creedmoor matches held in the twentieth century, but SN 111208 makes that a coil spring action produced about 1910 or so IIRC.  Undecided

Froggie
  
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MP
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Re: Highwall
Reply #11 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 3:59pm
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MP
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Re: Highwall
Reply #12 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 4:14pm
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The letter is hard to read, but he is talking about two different rifles, the one he (Donaldson) sold and the one Risley is making for him. 
  
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smokerider
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Re: Highwall
Reply #13 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 9:33pm
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I wanted to thank all who have emailed /pm'ed me about this rifle-I really appreciate your input and comments. Also thanks to MP for posting these pics. If anyone would like to see more pics or some of the corespondence I would be happy to provide it. Thanks again and good night -I'm going to bed dave
  
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Bert_H.
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Re: Highwall
Reply #14 - Feb 11th, 2007 at 11:01pm
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Hmmm... that serial number was made in late 1911 or early 1912, and unfortunately, there is no way to determine exactly what it was when it left the factory. It is a coil-spring action (the closeup picture of the close-coupled set trigger and the lever tell me that), and it should have a sideways "A" stamped on the bitter end end of the lower tang.

It doeds not look like a Creedmoor rifle to me, but it definitely is a very nice example of a period varmint rifle.

Bert
  
Real Men own and shoot a WINCHESTER Single Shot!
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