A while ago, I bought a Brno ZBK-110 single shot for $150 shipped from a member here as something to play with. I don't know how many of you are familiar with it (as I wasn't before I stumbled on this one), but it's a modestly built and furnished break-open single shot as seen here:



As you can see, they�re kind of homely little things (VAnimrod described it to me as a �Euro-handy�), and the scaled-down little shotgun action�s capability is described by a list of factory chamberings that tops out with the .222 and 5.6x52R (.22 Savage Hi-Power).

Anyway, as a truly nice kipplauf rifle is beyond my means for the time being, I wanted to see what I might do to help me pretend while stalking squirrels, turkey, deer, and everything in between with this one. Here�s a list of some of the changes as well as some before and after pictures.

� I replaced the .22 hornet barrel with a new Shilen 10-twist .25 cal barrel and chambered it for the 6.5x52R (25-35). This choice, incidentally, was based on the fact that I wanted to chase deer, and I like the stories that Mr. Ray Atkinson tells about his.




� I carved a stock set out of a $100 Fleabay blank� yeah, the American walnut doesn�t quite go, but to be honest, I�m still learning the differences. There�s a couple coats of oil on now, but more will follow to fill the grain before checkering.




[img]http://i44.tinypic.com/9jksxx.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i40.tinypic.com/20p4phl.jpg[/img]

� I made a quarter rib with provisions for folding rear sight and some old Stith 7/8� vertically-split scope rings. The scope is a 22mm 2.5x Kurz by Hensoldt and measures a little over 6� long.

[img]http://i42.tinypic.com/14dg07q.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.tinypic.com/2ztbkpi.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i44.tinypic.com/66wz9h.jpg[/img]

� Smallest ID NECG front sight contoured to match rib.

[img]http://i41.tinypic.com/108h6h2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i39.tinypic.com/17y0c4.jpg[/img]

� Recontoured lever to better suit my tastes.

[img]http://i41.tinypic.com/ipbold.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i44.tinypic.com/m9vgjk.jpg[/img]

� Installed forearm iron and latch to make it a take-down

[img]http://i39.tinypic.com/24vjybb.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i44.tinypic.com/333baf8.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i43.tinypic.com/33osa2r.jpg[/img]


I tuned the crude shotgun style trigger as best I could, and was very pleased to have the first 25 break-in shots average about � MOA with cleaning in-between. It matches my tastes a bit better now, and I think it will become a neat �woods-loafing� rifle. I may even make a fitted takedown case for it.

[img]http://i43.tinypic.com/otqj3l.jpg[/img]

Mr. Ian(VA);
Thanks for putting up the photos.

You do fine work and I for one like the results. It's something you don't see everyday, which is cool.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Regards,
Dwayne

Mr Ian(VA) Thanks for the picture story enjoyed seeing the transformation into what I think is a pretty neat looking
little rifle as was said you do nice work. Cheers NC
MERY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

Wow that is just too cool!!

Can't wait to see it leaned up against a buck!


Mike

Very nice

I like how you contoured the back of the action to give it some character instead of a straight piece...got a little more wood involved that way and it looks a lot nicer.

Are you a metal worker by trade or just a hobbyist?

A lot of skill involved on this project

That is just a staggering transformation, really a re-engineering of a very pedestrian rifle into a work of art. Your skill is remarkable, and much to be complimented.

Dennis

Whoa! Thanks for posting the pics.

+1 for sure!

You have real technical skill, but also the eye of an artist -- very elegant lines!

John

My word, just a LITTLE improvement! Nice work, now just don't tell us it's too nice to hunt with!

Oh my goodness. What a transformation.
Very nice work.

You are to be complimented on your project and your ability. I admire your skills.

Very nice transformation.

Thanks for the pix.

Be safe and enjoy the rifle

Patty

Wow. Sows ear to a silk purse. You do GREAT work. Well done.

Gunsmith by trade? Or hobbyist gun crank?

Can we make one in 6.5x55 some how?

That is the NICE>....... I would have never imagined that could be done to somthing like that....

Later...

Vary nice work, I'm just surpriced you didn't do a pierced lever as a finishing touch.

That is one nice looking rifle. I love wood with figure in it and this one is outstanding, especially considering the price of the blank. Work is outstanding is well and the choice of a cartridge is a classic to say the least. Thank you for sharing with us.

What a cool, cool project.

Well done, my hat is off to you.

But I can't figure out the joint between the buttstock and the receiver. The wood obviously goes further forward on the new stock. Did you reshape the receiver, or are those wooden "sideplates" covering the sides of the receiver?

Ok I want one of those now, very nice work indeed.

I would like a litte information on how difficult you would rate this project?

Jeez guys, thanks for all your kind words of encouragement... I'm pretty flattered! Different things appeal to different people, but it's definately a treat to hear that some other folks think it turned out too.

As for how difficult, I'm pretty sure that if I could do it, anyone could. I'm no kind of gunsmith or anything, I just need these kind of tinkering projects as a distraction on those weeknights when my wife insists on watching some reality TV show (no kids). I bought an old lathe and mill for a good price at an estate sale a few years ago and have been slowly teaching myself how to use them. The rest is just a dremel and some hand tools.

Utah, all I did was mill off the "fat" at the back of the reciever without removing any functional length of the locking bar's mortice and then ran a 60-degree, 1.375" dovetail cutter about .150" deep in a ways to create a mortice for the corresponding curves of wood to reside. That 60-degree angle keeps what might otherwise be a rather fragle (~.150" thick) protrusion of walnut nice and snug when the through-bolt is tightened up. Reduced some weight and got to cover one of the trigger group pins.

3sixbits, what's a pierced lever? ... I'm still trying to learn much of the terminology...

Well, they look like THIS

Not the best I could find, but it will give you and idea. It would really give that rifle a VARY high end look.

I can recomend a good engraver that could do a little engraving fairly cheap for the lever work. It would be a tiny cost and would really set that nice work of yours off.

Awsome !

I had a T/C Encore carbine in 25-35 Winchester and killed a few bucks with it. It was know where as classy as your Brno.

Nice work, you should be proud !