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Antique Rifle Restorations by the Gun Doctor

A web site dedicated to the restoration and building of antique rifles

Author Archives: rexnewkirk

Kibler Colonial

I finally got around to finishing a Kibler Colonial in 54 cal with extra fancy maple. I applied aquafortis to the wood, heated with a heat gun to turn brown then applied Lee Valley Polymerized Tung oil. I have applied about 20 coats to the stock, and two coats of Osmo Oil to further protectContinue reading “Kibler Colonial”

Posted byrexnewkirkDecember 17, 2025Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Kibler Colonial

Ballard Pacific 38-55

Recently I purchased a Ballard Pacific 38-55 on a online auction. It is a lovely original rifle but unfortunately the bore was no good. It was way oversize and rough. I took it to the range and tried it but the bullets were coming out sideways! I purchased a TJ liner from Nine35.ca a littleContinue reading “Ballard Pacific 38-55”

Posted byrexnewkirkJuly 11, 2025Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Ballard Pacific 38-55

Stevens 44 in 357 mag

I picked up a Stevens 44 in 25-20 SS but someone ran a 25-20 WCF reamer in and buggered up the chamber. I decided to reline it to 357 so I can shoot 357 and 38 Special in it. I purchased a 357 Chaszel liner from Nine35.ca and installed it. I also casehardended the actionContinue reading “Stevens 44 in 357 mag”

Posted byrexnewkirkJuly 11, 2025Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Stevens 44 in 357 mag

Casehardening at -40 C

This weekend Saskatchewan was the coldest place on earth so of course I casehardened 2 actions. My old PID on the 1970’s temperature controller died so I used my PID from my nitre tank for the furnace. I cranked the temperatures up a fair bit. The. Colors are more muted but still very nice inContinue reading “Casehardening at -40 C”

Posted byrexnewkirkFebruary 19, 2025Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Casehardening at -40 C

Stevens 044 1/2

This week I decided to reline a Stevens 044 1/2. If your not familiar with these little guns, they are a true falling block. Harry Pope designed it for Stevens to create an action that can handle smokeless powder. It was first sold in 1903. The used many of the same machin set ups asContinue reading “Stevens 044 1/2”

Posted byrexnewkirkFebruary 8, 2025Posted inUncategorizedTags:22, stevens-044-1-21 Comment on Stevens 044 1/2

Lighter Hepburn

I reduced the weight of a Hepburn that had a #4 32” barrel in 40-82. Now it has a 30” 1/2 octagon barrel in 40-65 and is 10 lbs 13 oz and very nice to hold for offhand chickens.

Posted byrexnewkirkJanuary 19, 2025January 19, 2025Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Lighter Hepburn

casehardening of 73 Win

Today I casehardened a Uberti 73 Winchester with a friend of mine. It was a blued rifle but I just had to see what it would look like casehardened. I am glad my buddy let me change it. I think it looks much better now.

Posted byrexnewkirkJanuary 11, 2025Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on casehardening of 73 Win

Christmas Project

This Christmas I built a nice Ballard 22. It is a Red Willow Reproduction Ballard that was a heavy barrelled 45-70 with a droopy lever. I used a Green Mountain round barrel blank and tapered and octagoned it. My buddy provided the wood for this project, a very nice piece of Walnut from California. ItContinue reading “Christmas Project”

Posted byrexnewkirkJanuary 4, 2025January 5, 2025Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Christmas Project

Building a Stock for a Ballard

Over the Christmas Hollidays I spent lots of time in my shop working on a Ballard. The stock has been inletted and carved. I just put the first coat of tung oil. This piece of wood has some amazing colour and figure. Next up is the metal finishing.

Posted byrexnewkirkJanuary 1, 2025January 1, 2025Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Building a Stock for a Ballard

Converting Ballard to Rimfire

I finished the octagon barrel but still need to polish and blue. The rifle was a 45-70 so I converted the breech block to rimfire. It works perfectly now. Now I am building a stock out of a very nice piece of english walnut.

Posted byrexnewkirkDecember 27, 2024Posted inUncategorizedLeave a comment on Converting Ballard to Rimfire

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