Since I posted about the Ballard Pacific that I just bought I might as well list this Winchester 1885 High Wall in .40-82 WCF which was the last rifle I bought before the Ballard.  What can I say?  It's an addiction ... right?

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Thanks ... I kind of like them a lot myself!  I have this Winchester HW in .40-82, a HW in .32-40, another HW that is being rebuilt into 38-55 (it was a sporterized 222R varmint rifle), and a low wall in .22 WCF.  I have another Ballard in .32-40, 4 different rolling blocks, a Trapdoor, a German Schuetzen and a German break barrel sporter (both in 9.5x47R) and a number of Winchester and Marlin lever actions.  There is even the odd muzzle-loader to round things out.  You can never have quite enough!

I've lusted after a Hepburn for years too, but haven't found one yet that I could afford or liked the looks of.  Years ago I had a customer bring in a pair of Hepburns that they were selling from an estate and they wanted an appraisal.  They were GORGEOUS!  About 95% each with perfect bores.  I would have loved to have bought them, but I had to tell them honestly that they were WAY beyond my pay grade.  They were selling them as a pair too, since they were family guns that were originally bought by two brothers in the family that were avid target shooters.  I still think of those to beautiful guns and wish ... if only ...


I have a friend that collects Stevens single shots and maybe one day I can talk him out of one of them, but again his are all high grade and high condition guns and beyond my reach.  I can ask him to watch for a "shooter" for me though that wouldn't be up to his collection standards?  Hmmm ... got me thinking now ...

Cheers,

Al

Rebel wrote on Jun 27^th, 2016 at 8:55am:

Reverend, I know what you feel about the rifles that are out of reach. I've been able to get a few that were better than decent looking, but have been more concerned with the mechanical aspects- safe shooting condition with a good barrel. 
Or, like some of 'em, refinished by old time guys and below collector's grade. 
The ability to shoot 'em without worry about a scratch is gratifying. But, I'd like to have a sweet original Hepburn myself.
Or a Ballard, etc., etc...........

Quote:
Still waiting for the pictures of the two 9.5x47R rifles! 

Al,
Nice looking hi-wall, I considered one in that caliber, changed horses in the middle of the stream and built a Hepburn instead, it's not finished yet, maybe when the snow flies...
I'm glad to hear someone else referring to this as an addiction, I have it, started with bolt guns, but anyone can build a bolt gun... single shots take a true craftsman to make... (I say this to irk a fellow smith)  I'm beginning to think I may need to look for a gun's anonymous org. - ever have that fleeting thought?   just for grins, my recent hi-wall project went down in size to a 38-72...  using one of Ron's gain twist barrels.

Phew ... thank goodness I'm not alone!



Rebel wrote on Jun 30^th, 2016 at 10:25pm:

Dam , all I got is a winchester bullet mold in .40-82. Never did get a rifle.  Dam