ACGG Firearm #25
The Tip-Down Smallbore (2010)
The Tip-Down Smallbore. This uniquely American-styled petite “tip-down” .22 LR was manufactured completely from bar stock by Jimmy S. Johnson. Inspired by 19th century master gunmakers American Frank Wesson and Brit Alexander Henry, the receiver and components were machined from pre-heat treated SAE 4140. The lock plate, hammer and components (fancy bridle, tumbler and sear) were made of tool steel and heat treated. They were based on the work of the great English lockmaker Joseph Brazier. All springs were made from spring steel and properly heat treated as well.
John Krieger donated the premium barrel blank which Johnson machined half octagon, tapered half round. It is fitted with a dovetail classic English single leaf Express rear sight and dovetailed blade front sight. The rifle is equipped with a 19th century William Malcolm type brass telescopic sight with a 3/4” diameter, 18” in length and 4× 15mm objective lens. The custom made brass scope mounts are both side fitted and fitted to the flats of the barrel.
Stockmaker Craig Libhart crafted the rifle into a lightweight turn-of-the-century English rook rifle. (Rook rifles were created for shooting Rooks, a common bird in the English countryside, and for teaching young boys to shoot.) Luxus Walnut donated the premium piece of Turkish Walnut, Tony Galazan of Connecticut Shotguns kindly provided the heel and toe plates and a Dressel steel grip cap was used. The forend is tipped with horn and secured to the barrel with a cross key. The underside includes small detailing that complements the lines of the receiver sculpting. An escutcheon is inletted into each side surrounding the cross key as a finishing touch. Checkering is 26 LPI with mullered borders.
Using a “hybrid” scroll combining his style and the classic scroll of Nimschke, Engraver Tim George used only “hammer and chisel” to engrave The Tip-Down Smallbore. L.D. Nimschke is widely regarded as the first world-class engraver living and working in the U.S. He was certainly one of the most prolific! It is estimated he engraved approximately 5,000 guns in a career that spanned from 1850 to 1900. Modern “American-style” scroll often pays homage to Louis Daniel Nimschke. 24k gold borders heavily embellish the engraving throughout as it would have been commissioned by a wealthy client or perhaps a foreign dignitary.
Final bluing was done and donated by Chuck Grace.
In keeping with the 19th century theme of the project, Jim Wear cased the gun in quarter sawn oak and covered it with bark tanned pigskin which is checkered based on a period example. He also made the ebony beehive handled turnscrews, cleaning rod, brush and Damascus Bowie knife and sheath. A custom made fitted aluminum traveling case is also included.
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The Craftspeople:
Jimmy S. Johnson
6347 Blue Ridge Blvd
Raytown, MO 64133
(816) 353-6423
Craig Libhart
104 Meadow View Ln
Bainbridge, PA 17502
(717) 367-3414
Tim George
1806 Elizabeth Ave
Altavista, VA 24517
(434) 369-1204
Jim Wears
1638 Sand Creek Road
Laramie, WY 82070
(307) 745-0520
Photography by Turk’s Head Productions.