I like the little rifles and have gathered together a number of #4s, Stevens, H&As and other boy's rifles. Some have been converted from 32rim to 32 S&W and my latest is a beautiful H&A in 38S&W. The problem is that the conversions and the 38 have no markings designating what cartridge they are for and I feel that this could lead to some confusion for future owners. I've been thinking of cutting the base off of a case and inlaying it in the forearm just ahead of the bottom of the receiver where it won't be too ostentatious but I hate to alter the 38 because of it's rarity factor and condition. Any thoughts?

I do what Scott mentioned, and not just for cartridge conversions. I put a piece of paper under the forearm on any unusual rifle with details about it that might help a future owner know what they've got. It's not always obvious and I'd hate for a new owner to have to go through all the work I did to figure them out.

I've taken all of the above into consideration but I want to do something that doesn't require the use of a screwdriver to see.

Sadly I don't have a set of stamps that would be suitable and I will not use one of those horrible electric engravers.

I tend to agree. My gut tells me not to touch it, all original, octagon barrel, checkered stock and minty bore. Can't chamber anything else in it so no safety issues and anyone who buys it in the future will know what it is. The conversions have been altered anyway so it makes no difference with them.

RE: "I've been thinking of cutting the base off of a case and inlaying it in the forearm just ahead of the bottom of the receiver where it won't be too ostentatious"

You mean like this..!

Well I wouldn't call it "too ostentatious" maybe call it homely.
At any rate this Lady 'Cadet' came to the dance this way. So being the gentleman I hope to become, I have welcomed her into the fold....

My other gun safe dance partners have accepted her presence in the gun corral surrounded by other repros of yesterdays gone by. 

BTW, I wouldn't buy another Cadet that has been re chambered in 32 Win Sp... If someone puts factory ammunition in there, not only is the twist rate all wrong but it's too much boom for that puny light weight training rifle. 

PS; The only redeeming aspect of doing a chamber ID this way is it's easy to redo if the rifle gets relined with a new cartridge. 
A new case head and the turn of a screw gets it done 

Jonathan wrote on Jan 28^th, 2026 at 12:19pm:


But I have a .38 S&W revolver that will accept 9x19 Luger cartridges.  To me, that's scary.  Maybe that "Little Old Rifle" will also chamber a 9 mm Luger, +P  and the whole works.