Here's a couple photo's of the bore with the Teslong

Very cool Pope Ballard Greg! That looks like a custom lever also. How is that ball held onto the lever.

So true about the history Greg.  Congrats on a nice rifle, looks to be a nice shooter.

John Rigby wrote on Jul 29^th, 2020 at 1:25pm:


If it is a forged action, is there any way to tell what it was before it was given a Pope barrel?  Does the Pope barrel have a date? Look under forearm.

That looks like one of those radar type chronographs. How do you like it? I've heard that they are hard to get used to and if you don't know computers don't buy one. Very nice rifle by the way.

JS

marlinguy wrote on Jul 28^th, 2020 at 10:29pm:


Val,
It appears to have been originally a double set trigger lever that was twisted around a little bit or even a loop lever- I haven't taken it apart- yet.   The ball was fashioned as two pieces and screwed together.   As for the breech block, again, I haven't had time to inspect it and see if the serial number matches.  Peering in the mortise when the breech block is lowered, it isn't hollow so as per the norm, the two line script on the side of the receiver indicates it is a forged action. 

I was very hesitant bidding on it at first but decided to take the chance.  I have wanted a firearm with a Pope barrel for a while.  It altered the gun budget for some, what is it David says...?  Rice and beans? probably have to beg for beer too...

I have a Pope barrel in my mess that was originally on a Farrow action, but the action is missing.  I have a Farrow action that I'm building from a casting and everytime I have plans to work on this, some distraction occurs, so it's still a ways down the road before it's shooting...  So... this fits the bill!  I will shoot it and the tiny bit I have shot it really impresses me - Pope made a great barrel!  The fact that it shot well with the first box of 22 ammo I grabbed on the way out the door that evening adds to the excitement! 
Joe, after gaining possession of it and fondling it, this did include almost the best fifty bucks I have ever spent on any firearm!!!
Dick,
There is always doubt in the originality of a piece when one is playing in this game.  This may be but I'm gaining some comfort as I spend more time with it. 
When I saw the numbers under the forearm it did give me a bit of a rush, I'm not real sure but I'm guessing it was made after he returned to Jersey?  The 611 is numbering out of the Hartford range? the A1B don't have any idea, 15.9 is the twist? then the date, and the only other number is a small 5 just in front of the receiver ring.  From the inspection of the bore, it's a left hand twist, narrow lands with wide grooves, and the rifling design has Pope characteristics.  If it's a copy it's done exceptionally well and so far it's shooting as one would expect.    I really welcome thoughts and opinions.   
Greg

Greg, the Teslong = fifty bucks.