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July 3, 2020
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I thought I posted about this here… guess not. Back in the spring, a friend in Kansas spotted a custom stock on eba* that was listed as being for a Springfield 1903. That was obviously wrong. He bought it and then sent me pictures…. I was immediately jealous. I told him if he ever decided to sell it that I would like a shot. He had two 52’s at his brothers and wanted to see if the stock would fit… as luck would have it, it didn’t. So when we met up at the Kansas City gunshow in July, he had it with him. We had tables next to each other… and I spent alot of time “fondling” that stock. I didn’t push the issue…I let him bring up the possible sale. He asked if I was still interested, and I didn’t hesitate. I just said “name your price”… he did and I agreed. No haggle, not counter offer, just “I’ll take it”. It was too big for my already full baggage, so he agreed to ship it.
Before it’s arrival, I contact BRP here on the forum and got his input and then began the search… There were several potential rifles on Gunbroker and I pursued a few, prices just seemed to jump out of my preferred price point. (BRP was really good about helping with what I should be able to pick one up for-I owe him) Anyway, the rifle arrived and I didn’t have a rifle to put into it… The Big Reno gunshow didn’t produce anything worthwhile… but the Oregon Gun Collector’s show was the following weekend and at the end of my crazy 12 day road trip I found the right donor pre-A 52. The stock had been molested… but the barreled action was nice, finish was comparable to the custom stock… it had a 48J that looked mint (it would need to come off as the custom stock was cut for a Lyman 48T. There was another pre-A 52 with a “shark fin” sight that was very tempting… but it had been promised to a good friend that hadn’t shown up at the show yet. He came by my table after he got there & purchase that 52 and said he might trade me his sight for my front globe sight… I said I would add a tin of inserts and the deal was done. Now I had the right front sight! As for the 48T, I had found that sight prior to receiving the custom stock, it took only a few calls to locate it. It was in Montana…at my gunsmiths! I was going to the NW Montana Collector’s show in Kalispell the first week of September, so I took the custom stock, the donor rifle to my gunsmith… and he is now putting all the pieces together and “refreshing the stock”. I am anxiously waiting for the first weekend of October when I will pick up this completed project along with the previous custom Griffin & Howe Winchester 52 I wrote about… .
Here are pics of the “custom stock” from Kansas City…
July 3, 2020
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Here are pics of the “donor rifle”… I purchased a Springfield 1903 NRA Sporter from the same seller, so I received a nice discount on both… gotta love the “bundle price” purchase… and having a “C&R” to make things happen…:)
June 1, 2023
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Ben,
I look forward to seeing the completed rifle. With that gorgeous stock, it should be a showstopper. You were very fortunate to find a Lyman 48T sight so quickly. When I needed one a few years back to complete a Round Top 52 Pre-A that was missing its original 48T, it took more than a year, and required I buy a rifle just to “harvest” the sight. They are quite hard to find. Here are my “Round Top Twins” with sequential serial numbers, wearing their factory correct Lyman 48T sights.
All the best—
BRP
July 3, 2020
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Tim… you should come to Tulsa… Steve & Scott will be there… I know some great BBQ places… 🙂 Maybe we could get TXGunNut to join us too?
November 7, 2015
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Ben said
Tim… you should come to Tulsa… Steve & Scott will be there… I know some great BBQ places… 🙂 Maybe we could get TXGunNut to join us too?
That’s a possibility, I should be able to slip out of town when the ice business slows down a bit. I can’t see past the October TGCA show and a concurrent Chamber of Commerce event at the moment. I’ve been wanting to wander the aisles at Tulsa for several years now.
Mike
April 30, 2023
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I’m planning to do this next Tulsa show, hopefully without all the rain from last time. Will stay the night this time and take my time….
July 3, 2020
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Lets try for Thursday night after the initial setup… I love Billy Ray’s in Broken Arrow… I enjoy the ribs & brisket, but the catfish is also amazing!
November 7, 2015
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My goodness, hijacking your own thread! You ought to be……..did you say BBQ and catfish?
Mike
July 3, 2020
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Mike… FYI: the catfish is “all you can eat” too… and I did hijack my own thread, for the good of mankind!
November 7, 2015
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Ben said
Mike… FYI: the catfish is “all you can eat” too… and I did hijack my own thread, for the good of mankind!
One of Oklahoma’s few redeeming qualities is good catfish. Looks like I need to drive up Thursday, check out Billy Ray’s, see the show and drive home Friday. I show open to the public Friday morning?
Mike
July 3, 2020
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Mike… It’s dealers only, but I will try to get you a pass. I should know a couple weeks in advance… Ben
November 7, 2015
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Ben said
Mike… It’s dealers only, but I will try to get you a pass. I should know a couple weeks in advance… Ben
Just read that, looks like they’re tightening up on passes. Unless you need help setting up I think I’ll just show up with the masses Saturday. I’m still trying to lose a few more pounds anyway.
Mike
July 3, 2020
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Mike… I know a few guys that have multiple tables, I’m pretty confident. We can discuss this more at the Texas Collector’s show…
December 9, 2002
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Ben,
What a great story! So neat the BRP, was able to help you out, as another member steps up to help out, like you stated!
Can’t wait to see the finished product, also!
Pretty neat on the BBQ, meet up, you guys are planning! Probably not much collecting talk during the sauce on the fingers, gonna go on! LOL!
Anthony
December 31, 2012
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Blue Ridge Parson said
Ben,
I look forward to seeing the completed rifle. With that gorgeous stock, it should be a showstopper. You were very fortunate to find a Lyman 48T sight so quickly. When I needed one a few years back to complete a Round Top 52 Pre-A that was missing its original 48T, it took more than a year, and required I buy a rifle just to “harvest” the sight. They are quite hard to find. Here are my “Round Top Twins” with sequential serial numbers, wearing their factory correct Lyman 48T sights.
All the best—
BRP
BRP, as the former owner of 3 of these round top rifles, two heaves and one standard, I wonder what kind of bbls. you have. As you know, mine is a special order nickel steel. My other two were just plain bbls. Mine came to me complete with a 12X Unertl. Bought it at a Big Reno Show. Sold the scope. Into the rifle for around $700. Nice consecutive pair you have of a couple very scarce rifles. Big Larry
June 1, 2023
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BL,
Both of the special order pre-A Round Top rifles I show above have the standard target barrel. The only difference between them is the front sight. One has a Winchester 93 “shark fin” front, and the other has a factory installed Lyman 17A. Other than that, they are identical twins.
BRP
December 31, 2012
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Blue Ridge Parson said
BL,
Both of the special order pre-A Round Top rifles I show above have the standard target barrel. The only difference between them is the front sight. One has a Winchester 93 “shark fin” front, and the other has a factory installed Lyman 17A. Other than that, they are identical twins.
BRP
Thanks for the comeback. Mine has the very early short Lyman 17-G front sight. One of mine had the COD and was bought from me by a Forum member. The standard rifle was bought from me by SEEWIN. I no longer actively collect M52’s but still have 5 of them. Big Larry
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