Tower lock Rifle rebuild

[Winchester97]

So, I took a chance and bid on a rifle with intentions of having it rebored by Bobby Hoyt to a larger caliber. It was described as being a newer build with a Tower lock. Upon arrival, It looks like its possibly a very old .45 1" oct. barrel with Tower lock, roughly set in to a 1960's stock. The bore has great rifling, but the bore at the muzzle is off center a bit. The lock is sweet though, operates smooth, and throws tons of sparks. So just a few questions...1) would there be anything wrong with getting this bored out larger? 2) can you re-center the bore a bit while reaming it out? Any value to the lock?

 

[Bob McBride]

Nifty piece. Call Bobby Hoyt at (717) 642-6696. I think he could easily bore it, removing the run out. As to the lock, it looks odd to me but I’m no expert. Someone will pipe in on that.

 

[Bighorserider]

Old Douglas barrels often had bores that weren't centered. As long as the runout is pointed up it is corrected with the sights. I can't tell from the picture where it points. Of course if it's to the side it would have to be corrected.

 

[Winchester97]

Old Douglas barrels often had bores that weren't centered. As long as the runout is pointed up it is corrected with the sights. I can't tell from the picture where it points. Of course if it's to the side it would have to be corrected.

It's to the side, so not so good there.

 

[Winchester97]

Nifty piece. Call Bobby Hoyt at (717) 642-6696. I think he could easily bore it, removing the run out. As to the lock, it looks odd to me but I’m no expert. Someone will pipe in on that.

Thanks,will be calling him here shortly.

 

[Rudyard]

OK Ile Pipe in , there seems very little remotely right with the lock maybe the plate was Ordnance but dosn' t look right however it clearly is old work & functions so that's all it needs to be .Interesting.
Rudyard

 

[TFoley]

Congratulations - you have found Ben Turpin's long-lost rifle -

 

[Bob McBride]

Now they're just a-hacking on you....

 

[Winchester97]

Now they're just a-hacking on you....

Lol. Wish ol' Ben was still around, be happy to sell his prize rifle right back to him.

 

[roadgrader]

Have you tried shooting it first? Stacey

 

[Winchester97]

Not yet, I will before I do anything too drastic.

 

[rickystl]

Those old Douglas barrels from the 1970's and earlier usually had run out. Most of the Numrich barrels had the same problem back then. You would have to cut an inch or so off the breech end - and then have it re-threaded. At least that's what they recommended back then.
Do send the barrel to Bobby Hoyt. The re-boring to the larger caliber will cure the side run out problem during the process. I know this works. Had it done with 2 original barrels while getting new liners.

Rick