Hi all,
Well, inspired by users like Norm over at a US forum and great desire to own a Snider, I took the plunge and ordered one of IMA's untouched Snider's (of "Family Guns" fame on Nat Geo).
First of all, I'd just like to express what superb customer service the guys at IMA have.
Despite the Eastern sea board being devastated by hurricane Sandy, the IMA guys still got back in the office and sent the Snider with the business only being shut a day, amazing dedication and service!.
The Snider arrived with me in the UK this morning (ordered it little just over a week ago). I needed to go down to the Parcel Force depot to pay a tiny customs charge (thanks to the package being marked up and described properly by IMA) which is brilliant compared to the fortunes I've had to pay then attempt to claim back on used motorcycle parts from the US because the package didn't reference the content properly.
Got back home with the large, well packed box to see what I'd got.
Now, IMA make no promises about the condition of the untouched rifles, so I was very clear on this thanks to their description before ordering and adjusted my expectations accordingly.
What I've got when I opened the box and took the first look I couldn't be more pleased with!!!!
No missing parts (as far as I can see), even the action and breech functions perfectly!. All the usual protective crud you expect covering the rifle, but a quick gentle scrape in any section reveals the superbly conditioned potential underneath!.
Can't wait to get cracking on the restoration. Hoping to register and shoot it down at Bisley soon!.
More to follow..also ordered a Brown Bess kit from IMA today I'm so pleased with this Snider.
Some pictures -
Nice one! You've got a cracker there!
I've bought quite a few of the old rifles from the Nepal Cache. Mainly Gahendra's and Francotte's. Mine came from a UK dealer but still needed a good clean. This is all part of the fun though!
If you don't mind me asking, how much was the postage?
cheers
Nick
Thanks Njay, it certain seems to be a cracker doesn't it?
Postage was $120 and I had to pay another £20 to Parcel Force, not to bad. Probably UK suppliers as well, but I hadn't found any and the IMA site is a dangerous place to browse if your credit cards within reach.
You did well to negotiate the perils of Parcelforce. My shooting pal ordered a couple of Gahendras from IMA...Parcelforce say they returned them to IMA ...by sea!!...never heard of since!
Mike95
ParcelFarce... hope he got an insurance payout from them?...Originally Posted by Mike95
The Bess is on its way today apparently, although I got that sent using UPS instead
nice Snider, cant wait to see the Bess
Cheers TA!, me as well... thought I'd order it now in time for Christmas
Started restoring it, "blogging" it all here http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.c...1#.UJ11lIZ7ze4
All the pictures are here http://s333.beta.photobucket.com/use...library/Snider
That gunk takes some shifting!, moving to the paint stripper to get that off the metal parts.
I would not use paint stripper on the metal. Try oven cleaner, spray it on leave for 30 seconds , wipe it off. Take all the metal off the gun to do this. Another way is ATF and acetone 50/50 mix, its slow but works well, I have used both methods.
just becareful of the wood as it can be quite bad internally....kramers is best but i cannot find it over here and usa will not ship it across etcCheers TA!, me as well... thought I'd order it now in time for Christmas
Started restoring it, "blogging" it all here http://britishmilitariaforums.yuku.c...1#.UJ11lIZ7ze4
All the pictures are here http://s333.beta.photobucket.com/use...library/Snider
That gunk takes some shifting!, moving to the paint stripper to get that off the metal parts.
oven cleaner can damage the wood even though i have used it succesfully on 3 rifles...just take your time mate.
on the metal i use very fine steel wool and rangoon oil
email...... stephenbarrow@ntlworld.com
Hi lads,
I stripped the gun completely so I could treat metal and wood separately.
I used Bilt Hamber products on the small metal parts which worked brilliantly (used them for years on various precious car and motorcycle bits, never let me down yet. Also environmentally friendly if your into all that, you wouldn’t believe how good Surflex HD is compared to your average petroleum based degreaser... and it wont catch fire/poison you).
Using a mix recommended on another forum (and Mr. Kramer himself) on the stock - 1/3 Turps (distilled NOT substitute or White Spirit), 1/3 Raw linseed oil, 1/3 white cider vinegar. Basically using fine wire wool in that mix to get the thick crud off and wiping regularly. Thought I'd trashed it last night as it looked patchy and bloody awful, but seeing it this morning its transformed, so feeling more positive about this technique.
If you put neat alcohol in it as well, I'd imagine its about as close to Kramers as you can get outside of the US
Barrel is a bit more interesting. The blueing below the stock line is perfect, however, anything above it is almost bare metal with really in ground dirt here and there.
All I can think is that what ever they protected it with (yak fat, etc) has eaten the blueing away?. On a plus note, the crud did its job as there is not a speck of rust on the whole length so very positive this is a shooter.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
