Registered User
Well, I've gone for it. Collecting my new baby tomorrow. For Tac the serial number is 1152 which would make it a PH original according to David Minshall I believe.
I'll try it on Friday, unfortunately only at twenty five metres as the people in the housing estate behind our range are forever complaining about the bullet holes.
[I]DesG
Domani e troppo tardi
Registered User
3 ahead of mine off the production line!Originally Posted by DesG
Banned
And mine is 1187!!! All good.
I bought mine new in 1974 from Ron May at Cherry Tree Rise - got the receipt somewhere, too. It came with a Sergeant's combination tool and a nifty patch. That latter I still have, but the VERY useful combination tool disappeared a while back, courtesy of a fellow shooter who left with it in his tool box and never came back...
I now have a REAL item from Mr Dyson.
Banned
First thing to do is to get on to Peter Dyson's website and order a couple of spare nipple washers - made of copper, they act as a spacer to ease the removal of the nipple. A touch of CoppaSlip on the threads is good, as well, seeing as your new rifle has some serious age about it.
One of the Blackhand Gang
At £1 each I would look at fleabay. I have just had a quick look and you can get 20 for less than £2.
Dyson lists his at 8.5mm x 1mm. If you get the nearest it would not take much to file the hole out by 1/2mm, approx .020".
Registered User
Yes, I thought the same but I already have boxes and boxes of various washers in my workshop. I have ordered a couple of spare nipples though.
[I]DesG
Domani e troppo tardi
Banned
The washer needs to be copper - NOT any kind of ferrous material.
One of the Blackhand Gang
Hi tac, the ones I looked at were copper.
Elvis Floppyfeet
did this myself
email...... stephenbarrow@ntlworld.com
Registered User
Well that was fun. Around thirty shots today and the same on Friday. Strange how I had the range to myself for the first couple of shots and then the lie down, fall asleep between shots 22 shooters started to drift in to see what all the noise was about. I reckon I've inspired a good few of them to take up the dark arts!
The musketoon shoots really well with around 60gns but for comfort and the rapid headache I made a recoil pad for today. Big difference. If I manage to get down to the club on Wednesday I'll start working up a reduced load that is both accurate with the lyman Minie ball and more confortable to shoot. Now I'm getting older the recoil is more noticeable.
A collector friend of mine has eight original Tower Enfields in India pattern smoothbore, 39" rifle and the shorter 24" Sgt version. I have to say, of the ones we have fired the PH outshoots all of them.
[I]DesG
Domani e troppo tardi
Banned
In general, rifled arms out-shoot smooth ones, but you knew that, I'm sure. It is rare indeed to see original Tower Enfields being shot these days. Do you mind telling us what you shot in them?
Registered User
The person responsible at Parker Hale, was Tony Kinchin, who was the production engineer. It was his idea and they gave him free range. I handled the patterns when they were in his possession. I spoke to him when I saw this thread last week, PH rifling was hammer forged and as stated progressive he tried to explain how it was done, went over my head. He was also responsible for the colour case hardening, proper bone meal not cyanide, took ages to perfect especially on parts like the hammer that are investment castings.
Ormicron
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