Special Firearm

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jack1653
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Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Fellow Members,

It has been quite awhile since I have found a rifle that really excited me. The acquisition of this rifle has a story that goes with it and you all know that I like telling a story about these rifles. If you bear with me, I will try not to bore the heck out of you. There are parts of the story that are a mystery and I am still in the process of trying to learn more that I can share with you. Knowing that there is a high propensity to see pictures, I promise to share the pictures and will even say that if anyone wants to see something else, I will do my best to get them posted. I will ask 81police to assist me with the pictures.

As many of you know, timing is important to getting a firearm. Whether it is a last minute bid on an auction, being in the right place at the right time or the contact of a friend who knows your interest in adding to your collection. This acquisition of this rifle is the latter of the options above. Because of the uniqueness of this rifle, there was a learning curve on my part and I still am learning about this rifle. I have inquiries out in several places and am hopeful that I will get some additional information. Perhaps one of you may be able to add to my knowledge and provide additional insight about this particular rifle.

I received an email from a fellow forum member, “curdog”, wanting to know if I might be interested in buying a very rare custom rifle. I have known this member for several years and even met him in person at the spring gun show in Tulsa, OK several years back. Mike (curdog) is an excellent gunsmith and had done it many years before retiring. I have one of Mike’s carbine barrel assembly for a Remington Model 8 and it is truly a work of art and functions perfectly. Mike had said in his email that if I were interested to call him for additional information which I did. After a lengthy discussion about the past and present, Mike said that he would send some pictures and the contact information of the owner. He said the owner was a person that he had known for years and all he was doing was making contact to help his friend.

Now that I had pictures, I had a whole lot of questions. I was able to see that I needed additional information so I contacted my dear Friend, Cameron (81police). I told Cameron that I didn’t have a lot of information at this point and that I needed to do some research. Cameron didn’t know anything about the rifle but agreed that it was unique and to keep him informed. We both knew the make and model of the rifle but we did not know anything about the craftsman who had performed the work.

At this point, I contacted the owner and he provided information about the rifle and the firm that the gunsmith had owned for several years. He told me how he had acquired the rifle and why he was wanting to part with it. As a side note, I have had the same experience that he conveyed to me so I was empathetic to his situation. My guess that many of us have had the same experience. I asked if I could have a few days to do some additional research before making a decision and he said that would be okay.

The information the owner provided allowed me me to make some inquiries about double rifles which I knew nothing about other than they were extremely expensive and were primarily Safari type weapons used to hunt big game in Africa. The only person I knew directly that had shared information about double rifles was another forum member, Richard, (packmule). I called Richard and we talked for awhile and I asked if he would like to see some pictures. Richard not only knew of the gunsmith, but said he knew a gentleman who was considered the expert on these rifles. Richard followed up with an email containing the contact information and said to keep him informed about what transpired.

There were two other gentleman that I contacted about this rifle. They were Bob and Corey Creamer. I knew that both of these guys were very familiar with the make and model of this rifle. I sent Corey the pictures of the rifle so that he and his father could evaluate and give me their opinion and thoughts about the rifle. I was not disappointed in their assessment and opinions. It validated what I was thinking and gave me some self confidence about the decision I would ultimately make.

The expert about this particular gunsmith was a gentleman by the name of Stephen Coker. He asked if I could provide information about the rifle in question such as serial number, pictures and anything else that I knew about the rifle. I emailed Stephen the pictures for him to review. Several hours passed and Stephen called me to give a report on what he had learned. There was way more detail that would probably be boring to most, but I found it interesting and informative. To my surprise, Stephen said he knew of this rifle and in-fact one of the rifles in the pictures was actually his. He told me that he had contacted the owner to inquire if he was aware that the pictures of their rifles were being shown to him. They had a good laugh about the situation. I really appreciated the fact that Stephen shared that conversation because he really did not have to.

The gunsmith, as I had been referring to, was a gun and rifle maker from Edinburgh, Scotland. He was born in 1848 and died in 1901. His company continued to operate after his death by his two sons until1918-1919 after the end of WWI.

The gun maker was Daniel Fraser. I learned from Stephen Coker that Daniel Fraser was primarily noted for his falling block single shot high caliber rifles. Not only did he make the single shot but he also built the double rifles and double shotguns and were real works of art. The Daniel Fraser firearms were highly sought after by great rifle enthusiasts. In addition to his company's normal production of fine rifles, they customized rifles on request and had customized three fixed magazine rifles of their own choosing.

Over the next several days, I will post many pictures for you to see. In addition, Cameron and I will put together a more detailed story about this rifle. I welcome any comments and information that can provide me more detail about this very unique rifle.

kindest Regards,

jack1653
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jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Fellas,

These pictures will be the first of many that I will be sharing with you. Please feel free to comment, ask questions or just look. Since I can only post three at a time, it will take awhile before I get everything posted. Most pictures will require no explanation so I will not make any comments. I am purposely holding the “giveaway” pictures to peek your curiosity and anxiety.

Not much to say about these three pictures. What can you expect on something that is over 100 years old. I was told the rifle was a custom cased rifle. The case is custom built out of wood and other materials and the exterior is a heavy linen cover glued to the wooden box. The leather edging is soft and pliable. This is the case that the rifle came in. I do not know the meaning of the numbers that are on the case. There is a lock on the case and it is operational but I do not have the key for the lock. The lock is brass and would probably clean up very nicely but then it would not look appropriate for the condition of the case. I think I will leave it in its present condition.
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jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Guys,

Here are a couple of pictures of the label that is attached to the interior of the case lid. The interior of the case is in really fine condition.
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jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Guys,

I will start with some pictures of various parts of the rifle. These pictures are meant to show some of the fine detail that went into the various components and alterations that were made to the rifle. The pictures in this group should be self explanatory.

jack1653
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jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Another butt plate picture.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

These pictures are of some additional engraving.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

More engraving. The Serial number 3523 that is on the trigger guard is the number Fraser assigned to this rifle. I was told that this number had no particular significance to the rifle but was rather a number assigned in the sequence of rifles produced for the company. I am trying to find the year that this number was assigned by Fraser.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

The end cap has some fine detail work. A nice touch!
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Rifleman
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Rifleman »

OK!!! My appetite is wetted and need for more pictures and information is high.. Post More!!!!
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Phyrbird »

Jack,
A Beaut :!: :!:
I feel your joy (& pain in the left rear pocket) as I have a soft spot for these Queens of the craft. Unfortunately I haven't deep enough pockets to share in acquiring this quality. However know I and my brother have had good luck with a couple of Herolds, mine a tri-barrel, his a hammerless side by side. Again we have troubles, they are both 16ga 2-9/16 in 2 of the barrels. Very little supply of ammo....
Look forward to more Pics, Perhaps I can supply some of mine....
Phyrbird
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by canuck »

Following, looks fantastic so far!
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by 81police »

There's much more to the mystery of this important and unique rifle that I hope Jack shares (I'll chime in if he does!).

It's an incredible gun and the finest FN 1900 I've ever seen. When Jack first shared the pictures with me my jaw dropped. I didn't know much about Fraser, but knowing FN's and the lengths taken to customize ever square inch was astonishing.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Guys,

Thanks for the replies. I will post more today. This group will show some screw head engravings. Not real exciting, but I will get more of the meat items, I promise.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Here are some that show some wood work.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

The workmanship on the forearm is just fantastic.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Guys,

There were several accessory items that came with the rifle.

An Ivory container,
A oil container,
A sling,
A two piece cleaning rod but no tips,
Two stripper clips with 35 Rem ammo and
a Take down tool.

These next pictures will show the items.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

The oil container and sling. For an interesting read, Look up the name that is on the cap of the oil can. You can find it on the internet.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

The oil container and sling. For an interesting read, Look up the name that is on the cap of the oil can. You can find it on the internet.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Phyrbird »

Even better, it's a high grade FN1900 :!: :!: I noticed all the screws are indexed :o
Now I gotta rinse the drool outa the keyboard again. :oops: Running outa distilled H2O :!: :!:
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Re: Special Firearm

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Some more engraving.
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Re: Special Firearm

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More Engraving.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

More Engraving. Note the proof marks on the first pictures. They are not the normal FN proof marks seen on other FN’s which are Belgium proof marks. The proof marks on this rifle are British. This was explained to me by Stephen Coker who is an authority on the Fraser Rifles.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Trigger Safety Modification.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

And some more.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Rifle in case.
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Re: Special Firearm

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More rifle in the case.
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Re: Special Firearm

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Hey Guys,

The next pictures are of the "take-down Tool". This is the best take-down tool that I have ever seen. I have taken several pictures of the tool so that you may see how it was made. One of the pictures has the name of the company that made the tool. The company was started in 1801 and has an interesting history which you can read about on the internet.
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Re: Special Firearm

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More take down tool pictures.
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Re: Special Firearm

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More take down tool pictures.
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Re: Special Firearm

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More take down tool pictures.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Guys,

That is just about all of the pictures of the rifle and accessories that I have at this point. I will go back through and see if I have any that I missed to post. As 81police mentioned in his post, the rifle was a FN 1900 before Fraser made the modifications to it.

I took the rifle down to see if I could find the original serial number of the FN. The three pictures below show the internal serial number on three components. I was certain that they would be there and they were. It is Cameron and my best guess that the FN was built in 1914. I believe that the modifications were made sometime between 1914 and 1919 when the factory was shut down.

The FN 1900 serial number has sparked an intense search to find another FN 1900 with the same serial number. You can read a little of my efforts about my search for 721 in the FN 1900 thread. I will post the results of the search here when I learn anything.
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Rifleman
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Rifleman »

"Wow" Jack, that is one nice shootin' iron. I'm not much for engraving unless it is tasteful as on that 1900. Guns that have every square inch of metal engraved are gaudy IMO, but this one is tasteful and down right beautiful. The wood is making me droll and shake, nice grain and color and the checkering is beyond 'top shelf'. I like the border engraving around the forearm release, very tasteful. To me this is what engraving should look like. The screw head engraving is appealing too as is the border engraving around the receiver and pistol grip cap!!!!. Reference the serial number, I thought maybe that '3523' number in the one picture on the bottom of the trigger guard was it and attempted to look up any serial number vs year, but couldn't find any reference to FN1900 serial numbers. Not sure how they did it over there. See by your last post what the # and approx. year of manufacturer is. Have done most of my reading and study on the 8/81's. I've only been a Model 81 owner for approx. a year now, bought my 2nd this fall-both 300 Savage-love em both. These older guns (lever ones too), plus military rifles have my interest more than any new modern rifles currently produced. Final word, you have one nice rifle, be interesting to know the full history on it. What is that '3523' number? Keep us posted. Love drooling over those pictures. High fives and congrats on your purchase. Rifleman
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by 81police »

Thanks for the photos Jack! Not a single square inch of this rifle was overlooked. Literally everything has been modified in some way.

When Jack showed me the serial number "3523" I thought it peculiar it was dated after Fraser modified rifles. Then later was told Fraser used their own serial numbers for each gun. When Jack found the internals numbered 721, I looked up The Great Model 8's FN 1900 database only to find another FN 1900 numbered 721 clear as day. How could that be? We still don't know and are hoping to find out someday if the other # 721 comes up again. It's very intriguing!
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Rifleman »

Thanks for the info on your post 81police ref the #3523. Interesting of the dual rifle 721 number. Ref Jacks posts/pictures, that take down tool is very interesting. Believe in my reading I saw a picture and description of one like that. Was that a tool the FN1900 rifles came with at the time, one offered for sale by FN, or a custom one by the gunsmith who did the work on the custom 1900?
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Rifleman,


Thanks for the question. It is my understanding from Stephen Coker that the items in the case were either made by Fraser or by “sub-contactors” hired by Fraser. I think this is the case for the tool as evidenced by the name on the tool, that this was made especially for the Dan Fraser rifle. The builder of the tool was Dickson who was also from Scotland where Fraser was from. Cameron may have some pictures of the takedown tool that was made by FN. I have a pictures of the FN tools, but it may take awhile to locate them.

Regards,

jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Rifleman,

To see pictures of the FN take down tool, go to the Home page for this site and look under the topic FN 1900. Scroll down until you see two photos of the tool that Cameron has posted. These are the two pictures that are in my files.

Regards,

jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by canuck »

Unreal

What an exquisite example of the firearms we all love so much, I absolutely love everything I've seen about that gun, so tastefully done.
Jack - how does it feel to have found the Holy Grail? Now what?!!!
I'd like to personally thank you for showing this to me as without you (and this forum), I would never even have known of the existence of this rifle - amazing


OK, someone repro that take down tool :)
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by ranman »

Spectacular to say the least! The "cheeks" and release on the front stock really add style. Moving the safety to the trigger guard also gives it a very modern look of a semi auto. Some one was ahead of the times in designing this work of art.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Fred »

So, how's it shoot? :D
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Rifleman »

You're right Jack, the tool on the 1900 section of the home page is the tool I saw some time ago and was referring to in my earlier post. Reference your posts on FN1900 serial number 721, being your Fraser custom 1900 has parts with the 721 serial number, does that mean that Fraser took parts from the original 721 rifle to build this custom one you have. Wouldn't think back at the time both rifles were manufactured that the original 721 rifle would have been in poor condition to have been parted out or Fraser couldn't have gotten parts from FN unless war time in Europe was a factor. Sort of "dazed and confused" since you mentioned in your 721 post your search for the "original 721 rifle". Apologize for my ignorance on FN1900 rifles. I've sort of have ignored them in my readings of 8 and 81 rifles. I'll have to educate myself more on them on posts from the forum and Henwoods book (I sort of skipped over that chapter).
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Roger »

Hey Jack,
Looks like you've done it big this time.I'm sure that I'm not the only member here that's in awe of this rifle. I have always believed that any FN1900, in this country, represents a "Holy Grail" of Model 8/81 collecting. However I've had to re think that belief,after seeing this rifle.I would guess that this one may be the real Holy grail. Its hard to believe that there may be a more ornate example still out there somewhere, factory or not.
As for the double serial numbering of 721, my guess is(only guessing here),that it is probably due to
WW1. I can't even imagine the turmoil that was prevalent at FN during both wars.
Congratulations on another great acquisition, Jack.

Thanks for your time,
Roger
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jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Rifleman wrote: Fri Dec 14, 2018 6:27 am You're right Jack, the tool on the 1900 section of the home page is the tool I saw some time ago and was referring to in my earlier post. Reference your posts on FN1900 serial number 721, being your Fraser custom 1900 has parts with the 721 serial number, does that mean that Fraser took parts from the original 721 rifle to build this custom one you have. Wouldn't think back at the time both rifles were manufactured that the original 721 rifle would have been in poor condition to have been parted out or Fraser couldn't have gotten parts from FN unless war time in Europe was a factor. Sort of "dazed and confused" since you mentioned in your 721 post your search for the "original 721 rifle". Apologize for my ignorance on FN1900 rifles. I've sort of have ignored them in my readings of 8 and 81 rifles. I'll have to educate myself more on them on posts from the forum and Henwoods book (I sort of skipped over that chapter).
Hey Rifleman,

You think you are “dazed and confused” about this, you can imagine how I felt at the time. The 721 on the bolt carrier assembly was taken from the original 721 just recently. Sometime between 2013 and 2018 the original bolt carrier of the Fraser developed an issue and was replaced with the 721. The owner at that time told me that he didn’t know anything about the FN’s but assumed that a replacement from another FN would solve the problem and it did. The rifle fires and functions as one would expect.

The issue for me is the current bolt carrier does not have the British proof marks and has nothing to do with function. The average person would not notice the difference. Had I not wanted to know the year the Fraser FN was built I would not have noticed the change of the bolt carrier. I knew that the FN people were very good at putting the serial number on the internal components and if I could get inside the FN, I could find a number and from that number determine the year of production. I am told that Fraser removed all numbers from parts before sending the final product to the new owner and assigned their own serial number.

Cameron and I have discussed this issue and he may have a different take on the subject. We know that the FN’s did not start producing the FN 1900 until 1910. We know that Fraser stopped manufacturing at the end of WWI, 1918-1919. We were trying to determine the year that this Fraser was built. To me, it is purely coincidental that the replacement bolt carrier, 721, falls in the time period 1914 and is consistent with Frasers manufacturing period.

All this makes the Fraser a Special Firearm. Hopefully I have explained what I have been trying to find about 721.

Regards,

jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Rifleman »

Jack: Thank you for your reply. Answered a lot. I never thought of the possibility that the numbered internals were recently installed, as I thought everything about the gun was original. Now as I think of it, you mentioned in your last post on your "721 Search" thread that the 721 you were searching for had been 'parted out'. Didn't think far enough out of the 'box'. What you posted about Fraser removing all serial numbers from an original firearm before returning or selling it and adding his own makes a lot of sense now. No wonder the "daze and confusion"! Be a "no-no" now, in the US anyway, can't say in other countries. From pictures I've seen of FN1900's, they have no serial number on the left side of the receiver as US Remington 8/81's do. Is this true of all 1900's? I haven't come across any pictures yet with left side SN's or anything yet telling where they are at least externally, but have seen a few pictures of 1900's with numbers on the bottom of the receiver ahead of the trigger guard. Assume this is the SN, am I correct? I would have never known the difference ref the internal serial numbers unless I had known of the existence of another 1900 with the 721 number as you did. Proves the point always said about 'things'-"If they could talk"-interesting history and facts would fill volumes and settle a lot of discussions and disagreements. :) Thanks for yours and Cameron's work.
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Rifleman »

Ah!!! The more I read Henwoods book, the more the answers to my own questions are answered. Read where the SN's on 1900's are under the receiver, also early Model 8's before the SN was moved to the left side of the receiver (didn't know that). Always learning. Anybody ever read any thing about how many FN1900's are still around and how many are in the US. Would be 'ballpark' percentage I'm sure. Must be some figures of known FN's.
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81police
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by 81police »

Heres an article with a ton of info & pictures on the FN 1900. It will be updated soon with Jack's rifle and more up-to-date records of existing rifles and the countries represented.

http://thegreatmodel8.remingtonsociety. ... ge_id=1562
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Rifleman
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Rifleman »

High Fives to ya Cam! Thanks for reminding me of that link. In my haste to learn all I could about the American versions, esp the Model 81, I never really read that link except to do a fast browse and look at the pictures. Wanting to read all I could about the 8/81 esp trouble shooting, maintenance, and reloading the 300 Savage, I sort of gave myself a crash course over the last 7-8 months. Disassembly and reassembly of my 81 a number of times and the Rx needed to get it shooting really gave me an insight of the rifle. I'm starting to go back now with reading a lot on this forum, Henwoods book, and other online and printed sources about all three models. Look forward to jack1653's and your updates.
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olskool
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by olskool »

WOW!
I have never harvested an animal, but I have killed quite a few.............
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Sweder »

WOW
Rifleman
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by Rifleman »

Any updates 'Jack', curious about how you've gotten along with the 1900.
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jack1653
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Re: Special Firearm

Post by jack1653 »

Hey Rifleman,

Everything turned out okay with the Fraser. The confusion was more of a misunderstanding on what occurred and when it occurred. I was able to confirm that there was some work done on the rifle by a competent gunsmith. That explained to me why some of the internal parts were replaced with authentic parts. I don’t know exactly what occurred and neither did the owner of the rifle. The explanation sounded like similar malfunctions that occurr with the early model eights. Something had broke on the internals that would not allow the bolt to close so he took it to a friend who was a gunsmith. I don’t know how long it was broke before he had found the FN with serial number 721. It was parts out of the FN which he purchased as a parts rifle that were used to replace the broken components.

It was merely a coincidence that the parts rifle, 721, was the same time frame as when the gun was customized by the Daniel Fraser Company. I had jumped to the conclusion that the gun was made in 1914 based on the 721 serial number on the internal parts. FN was very good at putting the serial number on the internal parts and as you can see on some of the pictures, that number was on the parts in the Fraser. I knew that the FN’s were not made before 1910. I knew that Fraser went out of business at the end of WWI, 1917-1918. The 721 serial number would have been made in 1914.

It wasn’t until I communicated the information to Cameron Woodall that I learned that he had pictures of an FN serial number 721 in his data base that was sold in April of 2013 on Gun Broker. I was able to track down the buyer through the seller and learned it was the owner of the Fraser. The seller of the FN 721 told the owner that I would like to talk wth him and to call me, which he did. We talked and that is how I learned what happened. I am totally satisfied with the explanation and find that it may not be the original FN serial number, it can’t be more than 2-3 years off. The fact that Fraser reassigned their own serial number to the re-manufactued rifle basically null and voids the original FN serial number. Before the gun could be sold the rifle had to be proof tested under British rules and the rifle has the British proof marks on two areas of the rifle, the bolt and receiver.

It is a story of coincidences and timing that adds intrigue to the Daniel Fraser FN 1900. I hope this makes sense to you. It is a beautiful rifle!

Kindest Regards,

Jack
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