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LRF
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Farquharson
Dec 2nd, 2016 at 11:15pm
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I just acquired this rifle. 30-40 Krag. No markings as to manufacturer at all (which according to some of the books that is not that unusual). I think the drop points are kind of cool. Tell me what you think or have questions about.....
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #1 - Dec 2nd, 2016 at 11:17pm
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a few more pics
  
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oneatatime
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #2 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 12:16am
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Weren't the later ones made by Francotte for the British trade? Nice rifle;-)
  
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harry_eales
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #3 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 3:37am
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I agree with oneatatime, probably Belgian in origin, especially with no Proof Marks, they are on all British Rifles of the period or at least the Provisional Proof marks should be present. Still a nice looking rifle never the less. Cool
Harry
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #4 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 3:58am
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Where are the proof marks usually located on the action?
  
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Joe Do...
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #5 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 7:05am
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There should be a proof mark on the receiver ring or maybe left top side of the action -and typically another proof mark on the breech block itself.

... Joe
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #6 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 8:57am
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The rifle has been rebarreled at some point in its life so all the nomenclature of the maker may have been on it. Dismounting the forearm revealed no markings on the underside of the barrel or face of the action. However the forearm has been on the gun, as is, for a longtime. I also dismounted the butt plate which I will post a picture of later today. It is stamped Germany on the inside. 
Reading the web and my books it sounds like many of these actions were made by Francotte after the patents ran out. Many were stamped "PD" and what that means is not fully known but believed to mean "Public Domain". This gun is not stamped as such at least on its outside. The only other markings are both front and rear sight are marked Lyman.
  
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Old-Win
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #7 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 10:36am
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Kirton's book describes actions made by Turner in Birmingham and sold to Jeffrey's but most of them had a side lever safety.  Some of the last ones had the top mounted safety.  They were supposed to be direct copies of the original Farq when the patent dates expired. But I'm going to take a wild guess and say it's Francotte made action and marketed by William Evans. Roll Eyes The engraving pattern on yours looks to be about the same as on the Evans. The scallop on the back of your  action seems to match up as well.  It's also possible that the whole rifle was made in Herstal Belgium which is on the German border as your buttplate is marked Germany.
Bob
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #8 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 4:52pm
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Here is something that is kind of interesting, I have no proof other then what was on the tag when I bought the rifle. The gun had been listed, on the website, as a "Ballard - Farquharson - 30/40 Krag". That was strange what connection to a ballard???? When I received it the tag on the rifle said "Farquharson made by Ballard Rifle Company, 30/40 Krag". What do  you think of that? As you may know the apparently now defunct Ballard Rifle and Cartridge Company in Michigan had been playing with the idea of making a Farquharson, do you think this may be the rifle they owned to use as a model to make their rifle from. I bought the rifle out of Kentucky.
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #9 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 5:55pm
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Lynn, 
Buschenmacher (sp) on this site would know as he was involved with Ballard in MI.  Is the barrel stamped 30-40 Krag or could it be a .303 Brit which would makes more sense? That rifle is in very nice condition.  I'm surprised there are no numbers on the action face.  Bob
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #10 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 6:15pm
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Thanks for the comment about a site member may having info about the Ballard connection if there is one. It doesn't add anything to the actual rifle but gun stories are always interesting I think. I hope he reads the thread and adds a comment. The barrel says "30-40". I will cast the chamber before shooting the rifle.
With regards to no marks, I am also surprised. I will at some point disassembly the rifle and maybe I will find some more information once all is bare in the open.
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #11 - Dec 3rd, 2016 at 7:45pm
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The rifle easily chambers a 30-40 Krag cartridge and if I am reading the SAAMI dimensions correctly a 30-40 would not chamber in a 303 British rifle.
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #12 - Dec 4th, 2016 at 1:19pm
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Here are 3 detail pictures. I share so that maybe we can further determine maker and era:
Buttplate is marked Germany and trade available in the early 20th century.
The grip cap also available to the trade in the early 2oth century. Common English scroll engaved
The last is of the cheekpiece and you can see the detail of the cut shadow line. If anything, this may stir some thoughts as to who did this detail

  
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MartiniBelgian
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #13 - Dec 5th, 2016 at 6:30am
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A modern rebuild using an existing action - and not by the 'original' ballard manufacturers, but as stated by the modern company ( (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)) with that name.
Nice one, but of course a Brit calibre would have added authenticity...  Obviously the original customer was american, hence the 30-40 chambering.
They even mention the Farq  on their website under traditional rifles, but no pic though.
  
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Re: Farquharson
Reply #14 - Dec 5th, 2016 at 7:03pm
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(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

I have added more pictures and information can be seen at this location.
There are now developments which indicate that this rifle may have been originally built by Griffin & Howe. 
Also there are many detailed pictures of the rear sight which if I do say so myself is a gem.
  
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