These discussion about Gemmer conversions encouraged me to share an idea I've had for a Gemmer style rolling block. You fellas may think it's a hair-brained idea - maybe it is. Dusty Texian and I have discussed it off line and he didn't think I was completely off my rocker. So here it is:
I have a well worn #2 Remington rolling block (mid size action) that I've been thinking of having rebored or relined. These #2s are designed for small BP cartridges: 32 rimfire, 32-20, 38 rimfire, 44 rimfire etc. My idea is to use this as a starting point for a mid-size Gemmer style rifle. It would not be historically authentic, as #2s were made from the mid 1870s through 1915. And being they are pint size, they certainly wouldn't be the choice for a plains rifle. But I'm an easterner. Knowing the reputation that big bore Gemmers have for wounding on the buttplate end, I thought "why not a small, light recoiling version?".
To visualize this idea I layed the #2 next to and over a Lyman Great Plains rifle to see if something like the GPR could be a donor stock. My problem is that I'm not a wood carver, never made a stock and don't know how. I really can't affford to farm this out to a big name stock maker, so I thought that adapting an existing repro stock may be the way to go.
What do you fellas think? Here's a few pics.