Oh yes!

rickystl · 1st July 2011, 04:41 PM

Hello again. I posted my last reply just before I saw the additional photos. Think you and I posted almost the same moment?
The Barrel: I just noticed the single hole rear sight on the barrel. That shape/style is very much Turkish or Persian. Could be the origin of the barrel?
Barrel Tang Screw: I now see what you mean. You can file down the burr on the top near the tang. Then remove that small pin at the lower end near the sling swivel. You should then be able to remove the barrel screw from the bottom. The barrel tang and screw can have new threads made later. (I'm assuming you want to remove the barrel). Most Afgan rifles I've seen have fairly thick barrel bands. To get the rear bands off you will probably have to remove the forward sling swival. Instead of a screw attachment, most have a pin and brace assembly. Yet another pin

That will have to be cut off on one end. (The pin can have threads added later if you want). If the barrel bands won't slide off by hand, a smaller hammer and a wooden dowel will usually work.
The Lock: The lock looks very much like a locally made one. Maybe "copied" from the Baker pattern?
Keep me posted on your progress. Rick.

RDGAC · 2nd July 2011, 11:10 PM

Don't think it's a copied lock, Rick. If it is, it's astoundingly good; the fit and finish of the parts is superb and conforms exactly to what I'd expect of a contemporary British lock, and the stamps and engravings (including the tiny initials of JW (likely Job Wilkes, of Darlaston, Staffordshire, or so I'm told) the lock-maker, on the inside of the lockplate), and the spring is certainly far stronger than any Afghan spring I've yet seen. The hammer I'd agree is a local copy (albeit of very high quality; the throw's not quite right for it to hit the nipple square-on, but the engraving's very good and it's beautifully shaped - even the cross-hatching on the spur is bloody good).

rickystl · 3rd July 2011, 05:31 PM

I see what you mean. Yes, agreed. After a closer look at your photos, I'm sure that's an English lock. The J.W., etc. It's just the hammer that appears locally made. Which may be the reason why the hammer is fastened to the lock in that manner. The user probably could not find a screw that matched.
Your gun should clean up real nice. I really like the barrel on yours. Rick.

RDGAC · 3rd July 2011, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickystl

I see what you mean. Yes, agreed. After a closer look at your photos, I'm sure that's an English lock. The J.W., etc. It's just the hammer that appears locally made. Which may be the reason why the hammer is fastened to the lock in that manner. The user probably could not find a screw that matched.
Your gun should clean up real nice. I really like the barrel on yours. Rick.

It's a fine barrel, yes. The weight's reassuringly high. Only problem is that removing the barrel bands or putting them back erodes that lovely patina on it.

1st July 2011, 04:41 PM	#1
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Hello again. I posted my last reply just before I saw the additional photos. Think you and I posted almost the same moment? The Barrel: I just noticed the single hole rear sight on the barrel. That shape/style is very much Turkish or Persian. Could be the origin of the barrel? Barrel Tang Screw: I now see what you mean. You can file down the burr on the top near the tang. Then remove that small pin at the lower end near the sling swivel. You should then be able to remove the barrel screw from the bottom. The barrel tang and screw can have new threads made later. (I'm assuming you want to remove the barrel). Most Afgan rifles I've seen have fairly thick barrel bands. To get the rear bands off you will probably have to remove the forward sling swival. Instead of a screw attachment, most have a pin and brace assembly. Yet another pin That will have to be cut off on one end. (The pin can have threads added later if you want). If the barrel bands won't slide off by hand, a smaller hammer and a wooden dowel will usually work. The Lock: The lock looks very much like a locally made one. Maybe "copied" from the Baker pattern? Keep me posted on your progress. Rick.

2nd July 2011, 11:10 PM	#2
RDGAC Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: York, UK Posts: 167	Don't think it's a copied lock, Rick. If it is, it's astoundingly good; the fit and finish of the parts is superb and conforms exactly to what I'd expect of a contemporary British lock, and the stamps and engravings (including the tiny initials of JW (likely Job Wilkes, of Darlaston, Staffordshire, or so I'm told) the lock-maker, on the inside of the lockplate), and the spring is certainly far stronger than any Afghan spring I've yet seen. The hammer I'd agree is a local copy (albeit of very high quality; the throw's not quite right for it to hit the nipple square-on, but the engraving's very good and it's beautifully shaped - even the cross-hatching on the spur is bloody good).

3rd July 2011, 05:31 PM	#3
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	I see what you mean. Yes, agreed. After a closer look at your photos, I'm sure that's an English lock. The J.W., etc. It's just the hammer that appears locally made. Which may be the reason why the hammer is fastened to the lock in that manner. The user probably could not find a screw that matched. Your gun should clean up real nice. I really like the barrel on yours. Rick.