I have a System Will (1908 Type), German single shot rifle with a George Titherington barrel on it. This rifle and barrel, have served me well since I bought it in 1990.

I had never heard of George Titherington or his barrels so, I asked around in the N/W and only found one person that said he had heard the name but, only that and knew nothing about him.

I gave up trying to find info on him, until about 2008 or so, I stated looking again and someone suggested that I contact Micheal Petrov and "bingo", he new enough about Titherington to tell me that American Rifleman had published a feature article about him in the June, 1937 addition. I then jumped on Ebay and found that edition. To say the least, I was very empressed after reading it.

As most on this forum know, small bore shooting became very popular after WWI (it was popular with single shots, long before that) and many Krags ans '03's were converted but, then Winchester came out with the Model 52 and soon after, Remington came out with the Model 37.

The competion became fierce and the modification, became common. All the high accuracy barrel makers produced barrels for it and highly competitive 22RF, continues to this day.

I believe that my rifle, was probably modified shortly after WWII, when there was a large influx of  these beauitful rifles and that mine was used in those matches, mensioned above. I think that it was modified, to make the 10 lb, small bore limit and that the Tyrolian cheek piece was taken down and the hooked butt plate ground off, to make the rules and that the floating forearm, installed at that time, also. I've recently, replaced the butt plate with a original type that I got off of this forum.

Now, the question that I want to ask ........... Does anyone know of any other George Titherington barreled rifle rifle, either in single shots or any other type rifles. I would imagine that there would be serveral, maybe many of the 52 or 37's out there with his barrels and I think there should also be some single shots, too.

This is the AR article about him, my rifle and the Titherington marking on it.

Frank

Frank I would get a hold of Duane Jenner, he used his barrels and I would not at all be surprised if he might one or more still laying around. In his hey day of smallbore shooting here along with Gary Anderson along with his numerious National Records and ventures to Camp Perry he was always one of thee men to beat. He is also the only one that I know of who has shot numerious smallbore barrels of various makes and other competitors would still be dying to get one of those he considered to be shot out. He is currently living in Cimmaron NM and is attending the ISSA Nationals so he might be hard to catch up with. He is a very close friend but he is also very short on talking unless in his presence and he simply might not show a real intrest in sharing what he knows over the phone.

JLouis

Thank you, BR, John and Mike. I'll see if I can get a contact number for Jenner.

It's been a long time since I did any searching, online for George so, after I posted, I tried it again and came up with this and another lead, possibly on the Rimfire Central site. I have to wait to see if he contacts me.

Does anyone remember Collier's Magazine? I do but, would have NEVER related it to shooting, in anyway.

It's from Aug of 1935 and it tells that his business took a real jump, after his barrel won the 1932, Dewar, course of fire at the Bisely Match, by John Adams, of San Diego, CA.

It also mensions "floated barrels" and mine has the feature.

I found two Ballards that were in auctions, with the serial numbers. Maybe someone here has one of them? I also copied pictures of the second one from the RAI Auction.

6 ½ G Titherington. SN24892 - Stockton cal Barrel

 
Serial #:      8356      Manufacturer:      Marlin Firearms Co
Model:      No. 5 Pacific      Type:      Rifle
Gauge:      22      Catalog Page:      51
Barrel Length:      28 3/8 inch round      Finish:      blue/casehardened
Grip:      N/A      Stock:      walnut
Class:      Antique
Condition Rating:      
Description:      Manufactured from 1881 to 1891 and subsequently customized in the 20th century. The heavy barrel is marked "G.TITHERINGTON STOCKTON, CAL." at the breech end and is equipped with a globe spirit level front sight and has no provisions for a rear sight. The receiver is decorated with floral scroll and punch dot engraving with a round panel of a deer running on the left side and a buffalo on the right side. The upper left side of the receiver is marked "J M MARLIN, NEW HAVEN CONN. U.S.A./BALLARD'S. PATENT. NOV. 5, 1861." with the serial number marked on the underside of the receiver. The receiver is equipped with a mid-range Vernier peep sight. The lever is the ring shaped variation, double set triggers, blue barrel and casehardened remaining parts, and mounted with a replacement multi-point checkered walnut forearm with a horn forend and palm rest base, and high combed Schuetzen style pistol grip stock with a cheekpiece and nickel plated brass Swiss buttplate.

I have a Winchester Model 52 with a Titherington barrel. He used to advertise his custom barrels in the American Rifleman along Arthur Hubalek and Eric Johnson.

ROBERT ENIWALD Reno Nevada.  He had an amazing accumulation.
He passed within the last 15 years and he was a gunsmith. His father was a gunsmith and his fathers father was a gunsmith. There were thousand of fire arms to be viewed at his house. He also had great artwork inside his house from bygone days. Most of the fire arms were Indian wars and later.
Very interesting man. I visited with him numerous times.
  Don
I'm pretty sure that 6 1/2 Titherington was oneI pass up as too expensive in the early 70's as $1200 was too much.     dahhhhhh

Thank you, Waterman for that bit of history.

Also of note, George Titherington, built his own simi-copy of the Model 52. The only Winchester part of it was the bolt.

Frank