Rhodesian Army A5 s/n RA-404

[Bertfish]

One of these found its way in to my safe recently. Really neat piece, not many floating around in the world.

Forend has two hairline cracks running up each side where it meets the receiver. Old, dry, thin wood. My plan is to open them just a hair with a razor blade and use an insulin syringe (if the needle isn't too small to take up wood glue) to fill the gap then gently clamp it closed til it sets. Will probably fiberglass back it as well for stability. After that rub some oil in her to try and moisten these popcorn-fart dry wooden pieces.

Overall it doesn't seem to have been fired much. The internals are lightly worn and plenty clean. I assumed anything RA saw abuse but maybe I was wrong. At least it isn't covered in their baby shit green paint.

RA engravings were machine-applied to the bolt and receiver but done with an electropencil on the barrel. I've seen others online with similar marking styles but there seems to be some variation. When I break it down I'm hoping maybe the proof markings on the barrel will date it more precisely but who knows.

 

[JollyPedro]

Awesome A5!!!!

 

[Doctor_M]

Sweet!!!

 

[joppaj]

Never seen one of those before, very cool indeed.

 

[teratos]

One of these found its way in to my safe recently. Really neat piece, not many floating around in the world.

Forend has two hairline cracks running up each side where it meets the receiver. Old, dry, thin wood. My plan is to open them just a hair with a razor blade and use an insulin syringe (if the needle isn't too small to take up wood glue) to fill the gap then gently clamp it closed til it sets. Will probably fiberglass back it as well for stability. After that rub some oil in her to try and moisten these popcorn-fart dry wooden pieces.

Overall it doesn't seem to have been fired much. The internals are lightly worn and plenty clean. I assumed anything RA saw abuse but maybe I was wrong. At least it isn't covered in their baby shit green paint.

RA engravings were machine-applied to the bolt and receiver but done with an electropencil on the barrel. I've seen others online with similar marking styles but there seems to be some variation. When I break it down I'm hoping maybe the proof markings on the barrel will date it more precisely but who knows.

View attachment 377293

Insulin syringe may be too small. If you need larger, I know a guy. You could thin the glue out a bit, that might work.

 

[Bertfish]

Insulin syringe may be too small. If you need larger, I know a guy. You could thin the glue out a bit, that might work.

I just looked at it and yeah it'll never work. Too tiny. You can get 22 gauge at Tractor Supply for animal meds pretty cheap. Insulin syringe was 29 gauge

 

[Alea Jacta Est]

Sweet.

 

[dieselfarmboy]

I believe there was a thread on these a while back that had some good info.

 

[2112rws]

One of these found its way in to my safe recently. Really neat piece, not many floating around in the world.

Forend has two hairline cracks running up each side where it meets the receiver. Old, dry, thin wood. My plan is to open them just a hair with a razor blade and use an insulin syringe (if the needle isn't too small to take up wood glue) to fill the gap then gently clamp it closed til it sets. Will probably fiberglass back it as well for stability. After that rub some oil in her to try and moisten these popcorn-fart dry wooden pieces.

Overall it doesn't seem to have been fired much. The internals are lightly worn and plenty clean. I assumed anything RA saw abuse but maybe I was wrong. At least it isn't covered in their baby shit green paint.

RA engravings were machine-applied to the bolt and receiver but done with an electropencil on the barrel. I've seen others online with similar marking styles but there seems to be some variation. When I break it down I'm hoping maybe the proof markings on the barrel will date it more precisely but who knows.

View attachment 377293

I've done the same glue work many times but insulin syringes are too thin for the glue to flow. You should be able to get larger gauge syringes from your pharmacy that will work better.

 

[Bertfish]

I believe there was a thread on these a while back that had some good info.

Was likely my thread when I learned of their existence

Rhodesian contract A5

Stumbled over this on Fvckbook the other day. I follow a ton of C&R pages. Add this to my want list - anyone ever seen one in the wild? Picture from Reddit

www.mdshooters.com

 

[jrumann59]

if there is a finish on the wood, open the fractures put down a bead, let it sit for minute then run over the bead with your finger, clamp, and go over the bead with a moist towel to remove excess glue.

 

[Bertfish]

if there is a finish on the wood, open the fractures put down a bead, let it sit for minute then run over the bead with your finger, clamp, and go over the bead with a moist towel to remove excess glue.

That's my plan. Don't know if there's really a finish on this wood though.

 

[jrumann59]

That's my plan. Don't know if there's really a finish on this wood though.

if there isn't it could soak the glue up.

 

[Bertfish]

if there isn't it could soak the glue up.

Yep I was going to tape closely to it and wipe promptly. The idea of the needle is to only put enough glue in the right spot to affect the repair.

 

[jrumann59]

I know you mentioned a syringe, these are bigger and more easily re-used. I use them for oiling placings in a gun that I can't reach.

Amazon product ASIN B09YRX7DCP

 

[Doctor_M]

Just slather some JB weld along the entire forearm... that'll hold it.

I'm joking... seriously.

 

[Bertfish]

Just slather some JB weld along the entire forearm... that'll hold it.

I'm joking... seriously.

Just make a mold of this one then cast a replacement in JB Weld

 

[Fushigi Ojisan]

RA-404, Rhodesia not found

Sent from my SM-T733 using Tapatalk

 

[inkd]

Sonofabitch. There are not a whole lot of firearms I would like to have, but, that is one of them!!!

 

[Bertfish]

I'll post a copycat thread in the Gunsmithing section for posterity

You can use a diabetic syringe to apply wood glue. You cannot take up the glue through the needle, too thick. You can, however, remove the plunger and fill it then push it out through the needle. The result is a very fine applicator which can be used to deliver glue to even the most hairline portions of a crack. I went along the ceack at maybe 1/8" intervals and filled until I saw glue come out. It'll sit tonight with a light clamp on it. When my friend who knows fiberglass is back from travel I'll have him help me apply a thin later of glass behind the cracked area for added stability.