Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2016 17:53:51 GMT -7
Recently picked up the 'Gator Gun', an old cut down military .43 Spanish Peabody that came out of the swamps of Florida years ago.
Had the barrel pulled and a new barrel installed, 1:16 twist, chamber is .38-55 (standard Winchester length case). Wasn't out to have it made into a new looking rifle, but rather like a well cared for old rifle. A rifle to lug around the hills and not be too concerned about getting a few dings n' nicks (though I give good care to all irons). Overall pleased with the outcome of this project so far. Further work on the forearm and butt stock to get them closer in color and having since had the work farmed out, came across a rear sight that will replace the existing one! Sometimes we do this to ourselves, eh!
Barrels is 28" tapered octagon. Silver blade front sight. Had originally figured to re-use the cut-in-half-length military forearm and a pewter tip. Military forearm was a bit too thin with the side wood for a pewter tip. So then thought perhaps an ebony tip would work? Along the way the gunsmith came across a forearm that just happened to fit the octagon barrel and had a pewter tip already installed. So went with that one. Now need to do some reworking of the wood to get the forearm and butt stock to having a better/closer match in colors.
It's always something, isn't it...
Had fired off 3 rounds this past weekend at 300 yards, and by golly they hit the 4'x4' 300 yard target in the lower right hand corner! Not too bad for a WAG with the sights having just been installed. Nope, no group to get all excited about, but it does show promise. Shall also work over the trigger to reduce the heavy pull - oughta help...
Still a work-in-progress the Peabody is, though getting closer to the Finish Line.
Already there is a vote of approval from one of the local!s!
Had the barrel pulled and a new barrel installed, 1:16 twist, chamber is .38-55 (standard Winchester length case). Wasn't out to have it made into a new looking rifle, but rather like a well cared for old rifle. A rifle to lug around the hills and not be too concerned about getting a few dings n' nicks (though I give good care to all irons). Overall pleased with the outcome of this project so far. Further work on the forearm and butt stock to get them closer in color and having since had the work farmed out, came across a rear sight that will replace the existing one! Sometimes we do this to ourselves, eh!
Barrels is 28" tapered octagon. Silver blade front sight. Had originally figured to re-use the cut-in-half-length military forearm and a pewter tip. Military forearm was a bit too thin with the side wood for a pewter tip. So then thought perhaps an ebony tip would work? Along the way the gunsmith came across a forearm that just happened to fit the octagon barrel and had a pewter tip already installed. So went with that one. Now need to do some reworking of the wood to get the forearm and butt stock to having a better/closer match in colors.
It's always something, isn't it...
Had fired off 3 rounds this past weekend at 300 yards, and by golly they hit the 4'x4' 300 yard target in the lower right hand corner! Not too bad for a WAG with the sights having just been installed. Nope, no group to get all excited about, but it does show promise. Shall also work over the trigger to reduce the heavy pull - oughta help...
Still a work-in-progress the Peabody is, though getting closer to the Finish Line.
Already there is a vote of approval from one of the local!s!
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