John Frederick Bell
Member
Up until yesterday around six in the evening I had no idea what a Newton was. This was somewhat distressing, as around three o'clock yesterday afternoon I became the proud owner of what was then a really cool-looking (and presumably old) mystery sporter - long-barreled, surprisingly trim for such a hefty piece, and chambered at some point in .30-06.
So what is a Newton, exactly?
The brainchild of one Charles Newton who, so near as I can tell, was to rifles what Tucker was to the automobile industry. Also known as a fan (and the father) of several early high-velocity cartridges, several of which live on in different guises. His operation built three series of rifles from a plant in Buffalo, New York, from 1915-1929. From my reading the total production ran slightly over 4000.
Some very unusual (and nifty) features. The original barrel is long gone - but whoever did the later work took particular care, and aside from the gunsmith's name hand-stamped over the chamber you'd be hardpressed to tell.
A few of said features:
Split tang. Similar to an M1 carbine in that the action is not held directly to the stock, but hooks underneath.
Steel buttplate, inlet to a point. Of all the things on this rifle, this is what caught my attention at the shop.
The three-position safety before three-position safeties were cool.
A magazine floorplate with no external screws. Rather, the entire assembly unthreads from a stud at the front of the receiver.
A bolt-mounted rear sight (albeit missing the aperture insert).
Six - this is SIX - locking lugs. Not something I figured you'd see on rifle of this vintage, but there they are.
The heart of this animal. Of note, this model would have originally shipped with set triggers, one of which is missing.
For an unexpected find and the chance to fill out my sporter collection...I think it'll do.
So what is a Newton, exactly?
The brainchild of one Charles Newton who, so near as I can tell, was to rifles what Tucker was to the automobile industry. Also known as a fan (and the father) of several early high-velocity cartridges, several of which live on in different guises. His operation built three series of rifles from a plant in Buffalo, New York, from 1915-1929. From my reading the total production ran slightly over 4000.
Some very unusual (and nifty) features. The original barrel is long gone - but whoever did the later work took particular care, and aside from the gunsmith's name hand-stamped over the chamber you'd be hardpressed to tell.
A few of said features:
Split tang. Similar to an M1 carbine in that the action is not held directly to the stock, but hooks underneath.
Steel buttplate, inlet to a point. Of all the things on this rifle, this is what caught my attention at the shop.
The three-position safety before three-position safeties were cool.
A magazine floorplate with no external screws. Rather, the entire assembly unthreads from a stud at the front of the receiver.
A bolt-mounted rear sight (albeit missing the aperture insert).
Six - this is SIX - locking lugs. Not something I figured you'd see on rifle of this vintage, but there they are.
The heart of this animal. Of note, this model would have originally shipped with set triggers, one of which is missing.
For an unexpected find and the chance to fill out my sporter collection...I think it'll do.
