Newton's Final Rifle

[Offfhand]

The thread about rare rifles, (Elsewhere in this forum) caused me to remember a curious rifle that has been hiding itself in a dark and dusty corner of my gun room. It's a 1924 product of Charles Newton's (1868-1932) third and final foray in the firearms manufacturing business. Though perhaps best remembered as the "Father of High Velocity" having developed such speedsters as the .22 High-Power and .250-3000 Savage cartridges, plus other calibers under the Newton sobriquet, Newton (a Lawyer by trade) made three star-crossed attempts to design, make and market bolt action rifles bearing his name. His final, one of about 1000, is marked BuffaloNewton, New Haven,Ct, represents all the advanced features Newton thought a modern rifle ought to incorporate, including: polygonal rifling, fast takedown, classic lines, set triggers, powerful locking and, of course, chambered for a Newton cartridge. This one being .30 Newton.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Sounds like Newton had a lot of *laws*.

That's a hell of a rifle and its rarity is certainly inarguable.

Great post!

Todd.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Cool -- I vaguely recall reading about the hinged floorplate doubling as a takedown wrench.

 

[Nature Boy]

I’m curious about the locking lugs I see peaking out behind the extractor

amazing rifle

 

[792mauser]

Ross style interrupted locking threads?
Neat

I like the dogleg bolt handle. (Probably why my M1917 is my favorite rifle)

 

[Sniper66]

Thanks for the pictures and the story. Entertaining.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Awesome rifle.

Is this one of the rear lug types like he had made in the past?

 

[bannockburn]

Offfhand

Thanks for sharing the history and photos of your Newton Rifle!

 

[Offfhand]

I’m curious about the locking lugs I see peaking out behind the extractor

Here are better pics showing Newton's interrupted thread locking lugs, and the floorplate takedown lever. Also a .30 Newton cartridge compared to a .30/06. If you think the .30 Newton looks suspiciously like Hornady's .30PRC, you've got it right because the PRC is a shameless copy of the Newton. There are other "new" calibers that are also Newton ripoffs...

 

[earlthegoat2]

Virtually all new cartridges are ripoffs of one or another that probably reinvented the wheel even when they came out.

Progress for the sake of progress.

 

[Nature Boy]

Virtually all new cartridges are ripoffs of one or another that probably reinvented the wheel even when they came out.

Progress for the sake of progress.

quality of life improved through better marketing

 

[WisBorn]

The thread about rare rifles, (Elsewhere in this forum) caused me to remember a curious rifle that has been hiding itself in a dark and dusty corner of my gun room. It's a 1924 product of Charles Newton's (1868-1932) third and final foray in the firearms manufacturing business. Though perhaps best remembered as the "Father of High Velocity" having developed such speedsters as the .22 High-Power and .250-3000 Savage cartridges, plus other calibers under the Newton sobriquet, Newton (a Lawyer by trade) made three star-crossed attempts to design, make and market bolt action rifles bearing his name. His final, one of about 1000, is marked BuffaloNewton, New Haven,Ct, represents all the advanced features Newton thought a modern rifle ought to incorporate, including: polygonal rifling, fast takedown, classic lines, set triggers, powerful locking and, of course, chambered for a Newton cartridge. This one being .30 Newton.View attachment 885616 View attachment 885617 View attachment 885618 View attachment 885619

 

[WisBorn]

Thank you for sharing your rifle and story!
The history of the rifle is as interesting as the rifle itself!
Thank you

 

[whughett]

Interesting reading at Wikipedia’s account of Newton’s endeavors.

 

[entropy]

Darn, I was hoping it was Issac Newton......but neat rifle anyway!

 

[Archie]

Thank you for sharing your rifle and story!
The history of the rifle is as interesting as the rifle itself!
Thank you

Which explains why 'old' rifles are the most interesting.

 

[Gordon]

Thank you for sharing this. Does hat mean you could use .30PRC in it ?