Easty308@gmail.com said
I Bert,I have a model 55 to add to your tally. It is a solid receiver example in 32 special. S/n 1085099
  

Thanks for adding your Model 55 to the survey.  It was serialized in late June 1932.

Bert

Bert H. said

Chuck said

Bert H. said
Just as an FYI, it is not possible to "rechamber" a 30-03 barrel to 30-06 without first cutting the entire chamber off of the barrel.  
 
Bert
  

Not true.
"Military .30-03 barrels can safely and functionally be converted to .30-06 by unscrewing the barrel, setting it back (milling a small amount off the breech end), re-threading, and re-chambering. This requires a qualified gunsmith with a lathe and the proper reamer."
This is what the Military did and that is why finding a 03 Springfield in 30-03 is rare. 
  

Chuck,
The cost in both the time and labor to do the work necessary to convert a 30-03 barrel to 30-06 would be greater than simply installing a new barrel. 
In addition to milling .2" off of the breech end of the barrel, then rereaming the chamber to the correct dimension, that is not all that would have needed to be reworked. 
The rear sight mounting holes would need to me moved further forward, the barrel fitments to the stock would also need reworking/moving.  I simply do not believe that the Springfield Armory would have wasted all of the extra time needed to convert a 30-03 barrel versus simply putting a replacement barrel on the rifle.
Bert
  

Well, the Military did it anyway.  As far as making it a 30-06 that was not all the work.  I believe that a few other things were done to the barrel too.  But the truth is whatever it took the Military modified all the 30-03 barrels they had to 30-06.  Look it up.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30-03_Springfield  Pay attention to what is said related to Problems. 

There is a very good possibility this work was done by a "name" house. The Walnut is fancy - is the checkering superior in workmanship to the typical New Haven job? 

Have you examined all the stamps and marks to see if it has gone through foreign proof? 

What is the name you mentioned? Is it possible that is the name of the shop or artisan rather than a prior owner? 

It would have undergone London or Birmingham proof but Holland and other British makers did this kind of work to Winchesters, sometimes on spec and others to order. 

I'd take this specimen very seriously and at a minimum submit a complete list of all marks for group investigation. 

Several modern American custom.gunmakers and metal workers used to offer such cartridge traps to the trade.  I just can't remember who but I know I've seen illustrations.

A great piece of work.

I've seen this after-market addition on a Model 1895 in Australia.  It was on an exquisite rifle completely reworked by Thomas Bland & Sons of London.

Company records exist from 1893–1928, and the name persists today in some form (e.g., Thomas Bland & Sons (Gunmakers) Limited, with modern connections in the US via Woodcock Hill, Inc.).

Rick

steve004 said
I've gone back and read the Winter 1985 and Spring 1989 articles by Art Gogan, the summer 2012 Rick Hill article, and then reviewed the information Bob R. had in his book.  These references, combined with all the WACA forum posts come together to make quite the story.
  

Steve-

This thread has renewed interest for me as I've nearly finished Bob R's Trilogy book. I'm presently bogged down in the catalog reprints at the end, fascinating stuff. Thanks for the tip on the Gogan and Hill articles. It's interesting that new info is still emerging on these nearly hundred-year-old carbines.

Mike

Uplander said
OK recently came into possession of this 1910 1895 TD. I would say it has been redone but still for the price I got it for I am still happy.  It has a trapdoor ammo storage compartment in the stock with I am assuming is the onetime owners name on it. It is very interesting as i have found absolutely nothing on this kind of storage compartment anywhere. Any one here ever seen  anything like it. i am tempted to return it to stock but it is so interesting that I may not..........
  

I personally haven't seen it on a M-1895, but we have seen this on other manufactured Rifles, as mainly on the higher grade and possibly foreign made European made rifles.

Nice looking Rifle! If it we're mine I would leave it alone! What caliber is it?

Tony

steve004 said
I've gone back and read the Winter 1985 and Spring 1989 articles by Art Gogan, the summer 2012 Rick Hill article, and then reviewed the information Bob R. had in his book.  These references, combined with all the WACA forum posts come together to make quite the story.
  

Steve,

I found myself doing the same thing, and more than once, as each time I picked up something else as far as learning something. 

I don't have Bert's memory and have to refresh my, like my PC!

I'm in agreement as it's quite the timeline of research posted here, as brought to our attention. 

Tony

Pictures of the engraving would be nice to see. The only Pope I have knowledge of is H. M. Pope a barrel maker. Does the barrel have the standard barrel address? As a guest you have to upload the photos to a third party host site and link to them otherwise you can email them to me at the below address.

Bob