Dave DeLaurant
Member
With the limited and expensive offerings at my favorite LGS, this is the year I've fallen victim to antique rifles at Simpson's Ltd. https://simpsonltd.com/long-guns/antiques/rolling-blocks/
The gateway drug was a sporterized Remington rolling block in 8x58Rd (lower rifle) that looked like a real bargain at only $400 postpaid. I'd been told that Simpsons were pretty conservative with their descriptions and this rifle bore that out, being in better condition inside and out than advertised. A month later I added a second sporterized RB, this time with a Carl Gustav receiver -- which cost me about $50 less than the Remington and was in even better shape!
The varnished stock finishes were OK but a bit worse for wear, so I carfully scraped down to bare wood and gave both a few coats of TruOil. These appear to be altered from the original 150-year-old military stocks -- they still had matching numbers under the buttplates. The blued barrels were in superb condition inside and out, with just the slightest hints of wear. Maybe reblued or perhaps really well cared for.
The Remington was (and still is) missing the flip-up long range leaf and I replaced its firing pin with a NOS from Rolling Block Parts, but otherwise they came in shootable condition with beautiful bores. http://www.rollingblockparts.com/swede.html
I thought the Carl Gustav would get my Rolling Block itch thoroughly scratched, but last week I spotted another CG RB at Simpsons that had had the smokeless conversion but was still in military trim. It was missing the brass stock disc, but otherwise complete:
A little over $750 delivered. Someone had given the metal a good cleaning without ruining anything important. The stock is just fine as-is.
BTW, until it arrived I hadn't realized these were equipped with auxillary volley sights.
Back in February I was able to find some PPU 8x56R Hungarian brass that I will fireform into 8x58Rd cases. Last week I also managed to score a Lee mould for their .329" 210 gr. Hungarian bullet, which was recommended on other boards for this rifle. I cast 50 bullets yesterday for use once I have the formed cases ready.
I've lurked on Simpsons' website for years, but these were my first purchases from them. The phone ordering process was very easy and each of the rifles arrived on my doorstep within one week of calling. Allowing for changes in supply and inflation, this must be what it was like buying milsurps in the Pre-GCA68 days.
The gateway drug was a sporterized Remington rolling block in 8x58Rd (lower rifle) that looked like a real bargain at only $400 postpaid. I'd been told that Simpsons were pretty conservative with their descriptions and this rifle bore that out, being in better condition inside and out than advertised. A month later I added a second sporterized RB, this time with a Carl Gustav receiver -- which cost me about $50 less than the Remington and was in even better shape!
The varnished stock finishes were OK but a bit worse for wear, so I carfully scraped down to bare wood and gave both a few coats of TruOil. These appear to be altered from the original 150-year-old military stocks -- they still had matching numbers under the buttplates. The blued barrels were in superb condition inside and out, with just the slightest hints of wear. Maybe reblued or perhaps really well cared for.
The Remington was (and still is) missing the flip-up long range leaf and I replaced its firing pin with a NOS from Rolling Block Parts, but otherwise they came in shootable condition with beautiful bores. http://www.rollingblockparts.com/swede.html
I thought the Carl Gustav would get my Rolling Block itch thoroughly scratched, but last week I spotted another CG RB at Simpsons that had had the smokeless conversion but was still in military trim. It was missing the brass stock disc, but otherwise complete:
A little over $750 delivered. Someone had given the metal a good cleaning without ruining anything important. The stock is just fine as-is.
BTW, until it arrived I hadn't realized these were equipped with auxillary volley sights.
Back in February I was able to find some PPU 8x56R Hungarian brass that I will fireform into 8x58Rd cases. Last week I also managed to score a Lee mould for their .329" 210 gr. Hungarian bullet, which was recommended on other boards for this rifle. I cast 50 bullets yesterday for use once I have the formed cases ready.
I've lurked on Simpsons' website for years, but these were my first purchases from them. The phone ordering process was very easy and each of the rifles arrived on my doorstep within one week of calling. Allowing for changes in supply and inflation, this must be what it was like buying milsurps in the Pre-GCA68 days.
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