Found - Source for rare and obsolete British gun screws

[Terry Hawker]

While gallantly fighting the urge to make a juvenile, "screw" pun, I thought the following information might be of interest to milsurps members.

Back in March, I posted on an Enforcer thread, relating my folly in managing to break the spindly clamping screw on the front scope mount of my Enforcer, (serial # 062). It had shot loose after only 50 rounds down the spout.

Didn't take long to discover how difficult it is to locate another Parker-Hale, high-mount, Model RAHS.4, scope ring. Improvising, I bought a new set of low mount rings, from Brian Dick, thinking I could cannibalize them for the clamping screw, only to discover that Parker-Hale, apparently realizing their earlier ring sets were weak in this area, had beefed up both the clamping screw and thumb knob, putting me back to square one. (They had also provided the front ring with a much-needed locating stud, which my earlier ring lacks. Brian, being the guy he is, happily took the low-mount set back with a complete refund.)

In my desperation, inspiration struck, prompting me to check my "Favorites", as I vaguely remembered entering the name of someone mentioned on one of the forums ages ago, who actually made rare, and obsolete, British gun screws. Voila! I did still have the e-mail address of this machinist with the unusual specialty, and was very happy to discover Scott Stonehill is still in business as Evans Obsolete Screws, in Evans Georgia, and can be reached at sstonehill@knology.net

Yesterday the brand-new, custom-made, clamping screw, along with a spare, arrived and I couldn't be happier. The new clamping screws are actually better than the original, broken one I sent as a pattern, as Scott has managed to make the threaded portion longer, spreading the load over a greater area inside the knob, thus making it a bit stronger, I would think.

While I was at it, I also ordered a Long-Lee, rear trigger guard screw to replace the one someone had taken out of my Lee-Metford skeleton action years ago, and, that screw too, was at least as good as an original.

So, fellow lovers of British arms, we now have a reliable source for all those buggered-up, or missing, screws that are so hard to replace. Scott keeps a certain number of screws in stock, but, if yours happens to be one he doesn't have, he can make it for you. He is a pleasure to deal with, stands firmly behind his work, and, as a bonus, his prices are very reasonable. With every screw individually made, as you can imagine, Scott's expertise is in great demand, so be sure to give him plenty of lag time on your order. The results are well worth the usual two-week wait. My back together Enforcer can attest to that.

Hope this solves some problems for you folks, as it sure did mine.

Regards,

Terry

Information

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[Badger]

Just a heads up ...

A Sad Time For A Mutual Friend (thread from March)

Regards,
Badger

[RJW NZ]

I would love to know a source for aperture sight screws as for parker hale, having them handmade is pricewise unrealistic. There must be boxes of this stuff in the UK someplace.

[Terry Hawker]

I would love to know a source for aperture sight screws as for parker hale, having them handmade is pricewise unrealistic. There must be boxes of this stuff in the UK someplace.

RJW NZ,

You're probably correct, all you have to do is find them. These screws aren't called "rare and obsolete" because they are easily obtainable. Only you can determine what it is worth to get something back in order. To me, it was well worth it to get the Picar back on the Enforcer. Considering the time, equipment and expertise required to make a screw that was actually more like a stud with an odd-ball, star-shaped head, in a rare, if not obsolete, thread pattern, then install it into the ring, fully guaranteed, made me feel I got a bargain for only $23. Simpler, more common screws are no doubt a bit less.

I am well satisfied and will sing Scott's praises all day long.

Regards,

Terry

[RJW NZ]

'Considering the time, equipment and expertise required to make a screw that was actually more like a stud with an odd-ball, star-shaped head, in a rare, if not obsolete, thread pattern, then install it into the ring, fully guaranteed, made me feel I got a bargain for only $23'

I couldn't agree more ... and thank god we do have people like Scott around. I wouldn't know how to even begin doing what he does.

[Fred G.]

scott made the screws I needed to properly mount my Parker G9 target sight to my L.S.A. MLE Mk I. The screws weren't to be found anywhere. They were of special length that allowed the mounting plate to hold fast. Scott made them from scratch and they're absolutely top quality/ I'm MORE than happy to've spent the money for them. He's a heck of a nice guy too! I'm saddened at the news of his wife.

[RobD]

RJW NZ: I've sent you a PM