Rolf Hey The Arm Surgeon

Fixing what was unfixable! Restoring, repairing and maintaining Arms Australia wide. Saw Doctor. Gunsmithing as an occupation is unique. It's no accident.

It's existance stretches right back in time to the earliest hand canons of the fourteenth century. Yet the sporting guns we use today embody the same basic principles as those primitive hand canons that first coughed their smokey challenge on some medieval battlefield, and the skills of the gunsmith remain the same. Although now very much a blend of ancient and modern, gunsmithing is still steeped

in the practices and techniques of the past, real living history. As always the proof is in guns that shoot. It comes from hard work, experience and a desire to achieve unparalleled perfection. From simple cleaning and adjusting to full-scale engraving and customising, you will receive the exacting attention that has become synonymous with our service. Services

Repairs & Alterations

Our workshop is equipped to carry out just about any repair that can be thought of and ninety percent of repairs are carried out within two weeks. Your work is not farmed out to someone miles away so this means that you can leave your gun in the confidence that any work is carried out exactly as you expect it. We believe that we have to get it right first time. It is far easier to deal with customers that are satisfied! Gun smithing and gun building is not limited to gun repair in our shop, we also have full CNC machining facilities available. We have full services for design, machining and heat treatment processes through to polishing and lapping. Engraving

We out source our engraving services as engraving is an art in itself and one that we believe should be undertaken by specialist craftsman. Any fine quality hand made knife or firearm can stand on its own merit without its surface adorned by decorative embellishment. However from all of the choices made available by means of artistic decoration, few elevate the status of a prestigious collectible and offer such wide choice in defining ones personality or particular taste as engraving may do. The utmost care and attention to detail is taken with all work as we realise the items you want engraved are your pride and joy. All kind of hand engraving is undertaken from game scenes to gold inlay, scroll, european classic gun engraving, high definition bulino scenes etc. Engraving can be created on any metal surface as long as it is non-hardened. If you are interested in having some engraving done please contact us and we can provide you with an opportunity to create a truly one-of-a-kind heirloom to enhance your collection, to dedicate an event or, for your own enjoyment of an art form that dates back hundreds of years. Rebarreling & Barrel Porting

We can re barrel and re chamber with a variety of imported barrels such as Lothar Walther, Truflite, Shillen, Douglas, or Australian manufactured barrels from Total Solutions Engineering or RDT Products. This service is priced on request. Good accuracy greatly depends on having a quality barrel properly installed that is why we fit and finish all of our barrels in house. Great pains are taken to insure that you get the best possible accuracy from your selected barrel. To start with, all barrel work is done in four jaw independent chucks and steadies, indicated in to within .01mm. Our reamers are only the finest we can source. The crown of each barrel is cut with a razor sharp tool then polished and lapped with one micron diamond paste for the perfect bullet release. In addition we can provide you with barrel porting, in fi****ms, porting relates to holes that we machine with either EDM (electric discharge machine) or carbide tooling into the forward part of the barrel (and slide on pistols). These holes are designed to divert a portion of the gases expelled during firing in the direction that reduces the tendency of the firearm to flip upwards. The concept applies Newton's third law where the exhaust directed upward causes a reciprocal force downward. Porting is most commonly used on shotguns and competition handguns, where recoil is most significant and makes rapid firing difficult. Porting has obvious advantages for faster follow-up shots and lowering recoil. Blueing,Blacking & Browning

We undertake caustic bluing with various levels of finish plus we also undertake rust bluing for lead soldered shotgun barrels. Our rust bluing can also be used for custom hunting rifles where a more durable finish is sought after. Our nitre bluing of pins and screws gives restorations an authentic finish. The cost of quality finishing work is not in application of the finish, but in the preparation. All surfaces must remain true, round or flat. All lines must remain clean and sharp. Special care is taken during the polishing process to ensure that original lettering does not get washed out. All serial #'s, roll stampings, proof marks and engraving must also remain clean and sharp. Our work is not the least expensive but remember: "You get what you pay for". Trigger & Action Work

We specialise in accurate trigger work from adjustment and smoothing, through to the re cutting and re hardening of worn out sears. We can also supply and fit custom triggers of your choice. Old obsolete triggers and mechanisms can be rebuilt to original or better specifications. We also undertake shotgun re-jointing and the manufacture of broken or missing parts and or springs. We import spare parts for most makes and models as well as having a complete engineering workshop and heat treatment facilities giving us the ability to manufacture many parts that are unavailable. We can import parts and accessories from the US and Europe and shipments come in regularly. If you require a part but don’t want all the hassle of doing it yourself feel free to contact us to arrange the import. Stock Work

Again as with engraving we believe that the making of complete stocks should be left to a professional craftsman. We do however undertake stock repair, alterations and refinishing. Fitting of recoil pads and leather covered pads. Quality gunstock refinishing requires attention to detail. We guarantee perfect fitting, clean and tight fit of butt plates, recoil pads and grip caps. We can provide a finish in oil, with minimum fill, to satin oil with full fill. High gloss two pack or, urethane. Checkering (re point or new, simple or complex, 16 to 24 LPI) is also a service we provide. We have enjoyed great success in gun stock repair. You would be surprised at what can be properly and economically restored. Trygun and Stock Fitting

To improve your shooting, getting the right Gun Fit is one of the most important things you can do, but this is the one thing that people, when buying a gun, will choose to ignore. Getting the right shotgun fit is the first most important element of any aspect of shooting. Most stocks can be bent for cast and drop, adjustable combs and butt plates can also be fitted to provide a range of adjustment. We use various methods to determine fit from try gun and laser to just simply taping on packers of differing thickness. Accuracy improvement

The best accuracy possible is everybody's goal. Our goal is to strive to give you that accuracy. With the use of various inspection equipment the condition of the bore’s surface is checked along with the condition of the barrel's crown. Also important is the consistency of the bore diameter and consistency of the twist. Bore and chamber casting, if requested, will open windows to any flaws or irregularities in the bore, chamber and throat. As the gun is disassembled we look for anything that might impair accuracy, such as poorly torqued scope mount or guard screws or stress torqued into an assembly. Vibrations are the result of a lack of rigidity or from stress resulting from the poor fit of the action to stock, or barrel to stock, or a combination of all these. Through the use of dial indicators and experience these problems are identified and solutions can be recommended. Many times these problems are reduced or eliminated during reassembling. Some problems are not as easy. Poor chamber work can be devastating to good accuracy. The best match grade barrel and pillar bedded stock will never give good accuracy if your chamber is crooked or off axis. Bedding and Floating

Accuracy depends on Shot-to-shot consistency. A great deal of a gun's ability to achieve this consistency is dictated by the relationship between the barrelled action and the stock. During firing, a great deal of recoil is created which tends to shift the barrel and action back in to the stock. This change of movement dramatically affects the gun's ability to achieve shot-to-shot repeatability.

21/05/2024

Hammer made for the 1865 Mayall patent experimental rifle which was the last piece of the job.

Photos from Rolf Hey The Arm Surgeon's post

20/05/2024

Repair of worn teeth on a window regulator. Yep, not everything has electric windows, needs lithium batteries, or needs AI to repair it!

17/05/2024

Life of the gunsmith, making leaf springs!

13/05/2024

Bit of an interesting one. Grafting an 1865 577 Mayall barrel in to a new stock and then making the lockwork to suit so it somewhat followed the original patent.
The self contained .577 cartridge was similar to Snider but not interchangeable. Snider came later. This was a centre fire primer in a drawn brass case which was very early. The original gun was awarded as a prize in Tasmania from the UK. The maker appears to be Webbley & Son. The hammer is yet to be made. The design had the distinction of being one of the first bolt-action self-contained rifles ever designed.

13/05/2024

Some Damascus barrels in for some love! All the ribs were loose and needed cleaning and re-soldering and then re-browning.

18/04/2024

Another day in the office!
When a friendly customer comes in for a bit of warmth…
Veronika Ross thanks for your quick customer service in dealing with this client!

08/04/2024

Couple of 458 SOCOM barrels out the door. Barrel work has been busy for the start of the year with over fifty barrels in the works. 💪

04/04/2024

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service is undertaking phase two operations of the wild fallow deer control project within the Walls of Jerusalem National Park.

The following areas will be closed to all users from Monday 29 April to Sunday 2 June 2024 for aerial shooting operations:

• Walls of Jerusalem National Park
• Central Plateau Conservation Area, west of Highland Lakes Road and north of Marlborough Road and Lyell Highway
• Tracks that start within the Meander Conservation Area and Great Western Tiers Conservation Area west of Highland Lakes Road

Entry is not permitted. It is not safe to enter these areas.

For more information on the TWWHA Deer Control Project visit: https://parks.tas.gov.au/deer-control

20/03/2024

https://youtu.be/EfcqCdGqjWQ?si=qXkI2s59IvLCretf

Honest Government Ad | Visit Tasmania! The Tasmanien Government has made a tourism ad and it’s surprisingly honest and informative👉 https://votewild.org.au👉 Help us keep Governments honest:🔹 Be...

04/03/2024

Nick Harvey's funeral will be live-streamed this Thursday, 7 March, from 10.45am at the link below. Please feel free to share it. https://renshawsfuneralservices.com.au/current-funerals/client/?nid=cbd4f2c1-9474-4dcc-9c6c-fd970f26afdd

04/03/2024

Leather covered pad for some stock adjustment to a 20 bore David McKay Brown. Including adjusting the case for the extra length and bending the stock.

10/02/2024

19/01/2024

3 inch splined shaft and hub out the door for a maintenance upgrade.

19/01/2024

More handsaws and blades out the door!

19/01/2024

Stockwork completed on a Greener consisting of checkering, forend tip and inlays that were missing. The customer is going to apply the final finish.

19/01/2024

Merkel 12 bore in for some attention after something got spilt on the barrels and action that stripped the finish. Re-blacked barrels and coin finish on the action redone.

18/01/2024

Today’s urgent news from fi****ms Tas.
I know it will affect some of you…

Tasmania Police
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER
Antique Fi****ms Transition Project
GPO Box 308 HOBART TAS 7001
Phone 6173 2138
Email antique.fi****[email protected]

Our ref: A24/10089
Date 18 January 2024
Dear Fi****ms Licence Holder,

NOTIFICATION OF CANCELLATION OF EXEMPTION NO.4 UNDER THE FI****MS ACT 1996

I write to advise you of the new process to manage the possession of antique (pre-1900) fi****ms which has been implemented in Tasmania.

Until now, Exemption No. 4 has allowed people to possess certain antique (pre-1900) fi****ms without a licence, registration and storage requirements.

However, I have determined to cancel Exemption No. 4 on 18 January 2024 and antique fi****ms are now subject to the licencing, registration and storage provisions of the Act.

What does that mean?

Anyone who owns antique fi****ms must now take steps to ensure their possession of those fi****ms is compliant with the legislation. As a fi****ms licence holder, if you possess fi****ms previously subject to Exemption No. 4, you have several options:

Apply for a time limited individual exemption (to continue to possess these fi****ms in compliant fi****ms storage for a limited time whilst applying for a suitable fi****ms licence and registration),
Apply for an upgrade to your fi****ms licence now (however, this will require immediate surrender of the fi****ms to a licenced dealer during the process),
Sell the firearm through a licensed fi****ms dealer, or
Surrender the firearm to police for destruction (Tasmania has an ongoing
fi****ms amnesty).
The changes are aimed at improving community safety, and the opportunity to apply for a time limited individual exemption will give you time to consider the options to keep, sell or dispose of the fi****ms.

Why is Exemption No. 4 cancelled?

Exemption No. 4 operated to exclude a category of fi****ms (pre-1900 fi****ms) from the licensing and registration regime under the Fi****ms Act 1996, rather than a person (or class of persons) being exempted. The Exemption is not, therefore within the power conferred upon the Commissioner by the Act.

Excluding this category of fi****ms is not consistent with the intent of the Act or the expectations of the Tasmanian community with regard to licencing, registration and storage provisions for other types of fi****ms.

The exemption has also been subject to misinterpretation, and some people have relied on it to possess fi****ms that take commercially available cartridge ammunition. This was never the intent of this exemption. To have fi****ms with this capability that aren’t subject to registration and storage requirements is a potential risk to the community.

The new process to possess antique (pre-1900) fi****ms will further help to protect our community by ensuring that proper processes are in place regarding the possession and storage of antique fi****ms. Importantly, it allows for fit and proper person assessments to be undertaken, which previously was not done in relation to antique fi****ms.

What do you need to do now?

We understand that these changes mean owners of antique fi****ms will need to take action and we have established the Antique Fi****ms Transition Project team of subject matter experts to support owners through this process.

If you possess antique (pre-1900) fi****ms, please visit the Fi****ms Services website, https://fas.police.tas.gov.au/, and look for the Antique Fi****ms Transition Project (AFTP) to download the exemption application form. It can be completed online and emailed to antique.fi****[email protected], or it can be printed, hand filled in and mailed in hardcopy to the Antique Fi****ms Transition Project, Tasmania Police Fi****ms Services, GPO Box 308, Hobart TAS 7001. The project team will then contact you directly to discuss your application and circumstances.

Next Steps

Work is underway to seek legislative amendment to the Act. Consideration will be given to whether possession of antique fi****ms is permitted and, if so, the licence and training requirements that would apply.

To find out more

Visit the Fi****ms Services website, https://fas.police.tas.gov.au/, and look for the Antique Fi****ms Transition Project (AFTP).

To contact the Antique Fi****ms Transition Project team. email antique.fi****[email protected], write to GPO Box 308 HOBART TAS 7001 or call Fi****ms Services, on 6173 2225.

Yours sincerely
Donna Adams
COMMISSIONER OF POLICE

Fi****ms licensing and registration in Tasmania - Tasmania Police Fi****ms Services We respectfully acknowledge the Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of the land upon which we work and pay our respect to Elders past and present. We recognise the Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the continuing custodians of the rich cultural heritage of lutruwita / Tasmania.

19/12/2023

😂😅🥩🤤😋

15/12/2023

Now tensioning, straightening, re-tipping and sharpening swing blades to factory specs.

15/12/2023

Here’s wishing all my clients, old and new, all the very best for Christmas and the NewYear!

Thank you for letting me build solid relationships with you going forward.

I appreciate your business and hope to be of service to you in the New Year for all your interesting projects!

02/12/2023

Zoli in for some attention to the woodwork. The corner had broken off the fore-end. This was glued back in place and reinforcing pins put in each side to hopefully avoid the same issue down the track. Then checkering was tidied where it was worn and then a complete refinish.

29/11/2023

New (for me) addition to the optical workshop where I can now accurately measure film camera shutter speeds and check light metering values.

23/11/2023

Aluminium window extrusion press tool in for repair and sharpening and service.

22/11/2023

Look after your barrels over the Christmas break!

22/11/2023

It’s that time of year again when new mould date inserts are required for the coming year. Not far away now!

22/11/2023

I don’t normally repair electronic cameras due to the risk of aging electronic components and the time it can take to repair but this Ricoh FF70 only had a fault with the door switch due to corrosion and wouldn’t wind on a new film.
Always try and keep your cameras dry!

16/11/2023

If anyone is looking to diversify their portfolio or even just collect silver and gold, you can now by supporting a local business that not only makes the products by hand, but also supports local artists!

I'm proud to have the opportunity in supplying my engineering services for the private Hobart Mint.

Gold and silver in the hand could be a better option that just numbers on a computer in the bank!

Hobart Mint Hobart Mint Pty Ltd