Today completed a deal where I got the Matching Number action for a Sharps Borchardt Barrel I have owned for 35 years. When I got the barrel it was on a Military Action and was in caliber 22-3000 R2. The work had been done by CC Johnson. After looking the barrel over closely I found that the Liner had been soldered into the original 45x21/10 (45-70) bore. So I disassembled the rifle and heated up the barrel and drove out what turned out to be TWO liners in the original bore. The original Bore was clean and bright so I restored it to 45-70 and shot it for many years, it shoots very good. A few years ago while looking over Rifles at a freinds I discovered he owned the matching number action to the barrel. Well! This brought about a long series of negotiations. But I finally got it and today have finished my 35 year restoration. 
 The question I have for JC Johnson is the work done. It appears the Rifle was in CC Johnsons shop at least twice. Here are the stampings.
Just behind the forend tip underneath, 45271-R2-16 with CC Johnson stamped under the number. Then Behind the Forend screw another set of numbers 5  6 with 16 stamped underneath. Then back near the action another set. 38210   250J with 22-3000  16 and the number 2 stamped under the caliber and then CC Johnson stamped under the number 2. If it would be possible for you Mr. Johnson to find the shop work orders on this barrel I truly would appreciate it. Thanks in advance for any information you may be able to provide. Regards, FITZ.

j_c, Thanks for the fast reply. Kind of nice to learn some of the history of these Rifles that have been around a 125 years or so. That rifle is now back in the Sharps configuration as a short range model in
45X2 1/10". I had all the correct original wood. The deal also made it possoble to (Restore?) a Long Range Action and Buttstock that I had. The CC Johnson action came with a Long Range barrel that had been assembled to it. I had a Long Range action and stock that had been made into a .219 Mashburn Zipper by William Brophy. No makers name on the barrel> I have been working at shooting out that barrel but it has held up well. So now I have (Restored?) two Sharps to as close as you can get to original. Still have a Long range barrel that soomeone shortened to 26", have the forend and an action that has the same numbers as the barrel but I am suspicious as the number stamping is in the wrong place and is not of the correct number style. Still thinking about what to do with it. Well, thanks again j_c.
Regards, FITZ.

FITZ wrote on Jul 8^th, 2007 at 6:52pm:


FITZ, I'm sure you know this already but others may not. Borchardts used two different-sized numeral fonts and marked their serial numbers in two different places over the course of the rifle's production. The smaller font size was used to mark the numbers on the bottom of the action (early rifles mostly, max 4 characters) and the larger one was used primarily for the numbers marked on the left side (later rifles all with 5 characters). I have seen one later action marked with the large font on the bottom but have so far seen no later rifles with the small font in either location, all the later rifles I've seen (5 characters) have used the large font size and all early rifles I've seen (3 or 4 characters) have used the small size. I have noticed some small differences in the smaller-size characters on different rifles, indicating that probably the stamps were replaced over the years with the same size characters but perhaps not made by the same workman.

I've examined only about 15-20 Borchardts closely, but this is my story and I'm sticking to it. This info is worth every penny of what it cost you (VBG).
Regards, Joe

FITZ,

Solution A:  Have Jim whip up a Nuclear Fore End Duplicator in his lab @ YOUVEEAYE.  It works for Captain Kirk! 
Solution B:  Put the one fore end on whichever rifle you are showing off at the time.  Kinda like putting the two hubcaps you have on the side of the car you're showing off in the picture when you sell it.   
Solution C:  Give one to me without a fore end and I'll suffer along with a repro fore end that I'll have made. 

Don't try to thank me, I just love to help out a friend.   

the Phearless Phrog

 Hey Frog, I just knew someone would come thru with a most generous offer. And you beat them all. I spent the whole past weekend in my celler with Borchardt parts scattered all around me finding the right("What goes or belongs where?") Got it almost all done when I discovered the hidden gem in the last rifle. Threw me right into a tizzy.
MP suggested I restore the original all matching Rifle by sleeving an extension onto the short barrel. I know this has been done but the last guy I know of was Brezine and he is out of it for now. Well still have a .219 Imp Zipper to reassemble. Will tackle that tonight. 
 Joe, thought about the stretching but then it would be WAyyyyyy too small in diameter. Regards, FITZ.

marlinguy, did he sleeve it in all the way back to the breech? And then TIG weld it at the Joint. That sure looks good but I would want a sleeved in barrel that was turned to match at the butt on the front and welded there. If you would post a phone number for him. How long did it take to get done? How did the weld Blue? Any show there? If you could post a contact phone # or send me an email on the website I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance. Regards, FITZ.