16ga.com ~ View topic - Re-barreling a SXS

Has anyone ever done this? I'm sure it's far from the brightest idea I've ever had. I have a beautiful little gun with cut down barrels. Someone cut these down to 26 inches. I could shoot it as-is. I could get thin wall chokes installed. I would like longer tubes, say 28-29".

If I shoot the gun as-is it's a great 5 1/2 lb woodcock gun. If I keep the gun as-is I have an excuse to go looking for another gun. Oh, never mind, I talked myself out of it.

But, if anyone has ever had a gun rebarreled (longer) let me know what happened.

Thanks,

Peter

Who was the gun maker?
Wind River Rifle Co http://www.windriverrifle.com/home.html
claims to have some LC, Parker, and Ithaca brls.
That sneaky Dr 16g came up with TWO Sterly brls that were advertized here.
Brls do come up on e-bay and you could place a WTB ad for only $10 on DoubleGunShop.com
Unfortunately, it's likely you could replace the whole gun for the price of new brls.

The gun has belgian proof marks. A Retailers name is on the barrels in gold. The only clue as to the maker is initials on the horn butt plate "FJ". That led us to believe the gun was manufactured in the early 1900's by Fusil- Jamart, a builder of ONLY fine guns who did not last past the wars. If it was an American builder like Smith, Parker, Fox, Lefever etc, I would look for barrels first.

Anyway, I "almost" talked myself out of this project. But then again...

Your gun seems to be a guild type gun and might be one of a kind. The work can be done if the barrel block or both chamber areas are in good shape. The barrels are cut off ahead of the chamber, the chambers are reamed, and new barrel tubes with rebated chambers are filed or machined to the right taper, fitted, aligned to a mutual point of impact, and jigged up for soldering. Add the top and bottom ribs and finish the set. However, it is expensive. Inquiring of the most knowledgeable gun repair and restoration smiths will put you in touch with anyone capable of this level of work.

Many of these Belgium guns are fine shotguns suitable for upland hunting and capable of fine shooting. Some are gorgeously appointed. However, many are one of a kind. Parts are not readily available and expensive to fabricate and hand fit. The folks who specialize in repairing and restoring them buy broken and junked out guns for parts, invest a lot of time and money in this effort, and get top buck for their services as they should. they are specialists.

These guild guns can be a real bargain for those lucky enough to own a good one. The risk is in getting one that is not likely to need repair any time soon. Quite a few of the guns being offered for sale need repair or will soon. That is why they are being offered for sale. Price is no indicator of this matter. A thorough knowledge of what you are doing is a prerequisite to buying one.Therefore, the guns do not trade for high prices in most cases and can readily be had for under $1200 for a very nicely made, functioning piece in reasonable repair if you shop smart and know what you are doing.

So if your gun is not a real special piece and can be replaced for under $2000, that is the best thing. Sell the cut up one to one of the specialists for parts to recoup part of your investment. Only rare, valueable, and irreplaceable guns warrent this level of restoration you are looking for IMO. However, the gun's relative value is up to you in the end. Its your money.

Actually, I think it was built by a reputable company, not a guild piece. Other than that, everything else you say is right. I just needed someone else to tell me. Now... what should I buy next. Whatever it is it will weigh between 5 1/2 lb.and 6 1/2 lbs. It will have 28-30 inch barrels improved and light mod. It will be a SXS. It will have ejectors. Oh, and it will be 16 ga.