Another of my addictions
 

I've often stated on the forums that I do gun stock work.

Last year I bought a custom '03 Springfield rifle from a gentleman in Virginia. During the course of the transaction he mentioned that he had a pre-64 Mod. 70 Winchester that needed to be re-shaped from the bench configuration stock to a sporting configuration. I told him that I would do it for him.

I'm shipping it back to him today, and thought that I would put my money where my mouth is. I don't charge much to do the work(not enough), but I love doing it.

His "Before" photos

My "After" photos...

I made the grip cap and rear swivel inlay from ebony. My checkering abilities are passable at best ( I don't have the patience required), so he will have the checkering done by a professional in Virginia.

A walnut blank with this beautiful grain would cost $500-$600+ today. I love it when the first coat of finish is applied, and that wood grain jumps out.

Beautiful job! Love the detail in the grip cap. And, man wouldn't I love to have a truckload of that figured walnut.

"And, man wouldn't I love to have a truckload of that figured walnut."

Hi Ron,

Funny that you would mention that. I know where there is literally, a 7 ton truck full of walnut stock blanks. Plus another half that many in a warehouse. If I had the money I would make him an offer on most of them.

The grip cap was very time consuming, but fun to make.The walnut inlay is from the slab of fore end that I had to cut off with a Jigsaw.

Thanks...

Ron

Ron, Excellent! Very high deffinition detail. Quite the transformation...Good Job!

Jerry Burney

BEAUTIFUL! Both the wood and the workmanship!

FN

Hi Jerry,

Thanks! I was going to get into holster repair and restoration, but they gave the job to some guy in Colorado.:thumbup:

Ron

Congratulations, Ron, it's a beautiful job. You're clearly a man of many parts. Regards, Norm

Hi Fred and Norm,

Thanks! I have a passion for Classic German Sporters. They are very expensive when found and, like Lugers, not something that you want to drag around in the woods.

So, I decided to build one that I could use and hunt with. I bought a "semi" sporterized '98 Mauser with a Bishop "fence post" stock similar to the before stock on the Model 70, and re-designed it.

Now I have a Classic Mauser Sporter that I don't have to worry about shooting and hunting with.

"You're clearly a man of many parts. Regards, Norm "

Norm, The problem is that most of them are getting squeaky and rusty.

Ron

WOW! Ron very impressive work, especially for a river rat bilge diver.

Nice to see you're more than just a pretty face.
Tom

Hey Tom,

How you be? Yeah, never cared much for Subs. They got no windows.:confused:

Ron

I be good, thank you.
Just watched a show on, I believe, NatGeo about the U boats in the Atlantic. They had a 75% loss rate due to RADAR and breaking their code. Glad I wasn't on one of those; they might as well of had windows.
Tom

Yup! The trouble is that they're already sunk. Ya just have to poke a hole and let the water in.

Ron

Beautiful wood and workmanship Ron, just excellent.


Ed

Ron,

Excellent work! I'll have to show you more respect now. :D

Thanks guys,

It's the way I maintain what little sanity I have left, and "Aligns my Chi". My "Chi" gets out of alignment more and more these days.:cheers:

Ron

I like it!!!!

Neil

Hi Ron, I'm not sure I know what Chi is, but I sure hope I don't catch it. Regards, Norm

Wow Ron... great work. Just who is your checkering pro in Virginia, and how far is he from me? (Winchester)

I believe I can recommend him to a few friends here if you are impressed with his work. I know you are not easily impressed. :D

Hi John,

I'm don't know who the checkering pro is. It's someone that was recommended to the man I did the work for.

We have a lady in the Portland area who does outstanding freehand checkering. She use to work for Ruger before they went to machine checkering.

I will ask him, when he gets back to me after the rifle arrives.

Ron

I once saw a M1 carbine for sale that had a Mannlicher full stock on it, wish I had bought it; that style has always interested me, but don't have anything llike it, not a huge rifle guy; although I have my share :)

Is a nice gift to be able to make wood into something beautiful Ron!

Ed

Thanks Ed,


It's kind of in my blood. My Grandad was a Cabinet Maker. He made a black walnut and mahogany coffee table for my Mother that was absolutely unbelievable.

Unfortunately, it got broken beyond repair during a move to their new house long after he had passed on.

Ron

Ron
Excellent work!! Thats quite a piece of walnut. Working with wood is always a pleasure. And you do it very well!! Bill

Hi Bill,

Thanks for the kind words. I just wish I could make it worth while, but you almost have to be a member of the Gun Maker's Guild before you can charge the big bucks.

R.G. "Bob" West and Larry Brace were both locals from Eugene, and world renowned stock carvers (both are deceased). Neither one of them would touch a stock for less than $2000 - $2500. I received some very valuable mentoring on techniques from both of them.

My first attempts were, let's say, less than satisfactory, at least to my eye. I still see one now and then pop up at local gun shows.

Ron

Ron,

Absolutely gorgeous work! What kind of walnut is that?

Mike:D

LOL... I know about chi being out, and squeaky parts.

FN

Hi Mike,

It's either Bastogne, or American Tiger Stripe. I think probably Bastogne, which is a hybrid.

Ron

Ron you have a wonderful gift. Beautiful work

Hi Richie,

I appreciate the compliment.

Thanks...

Ron

I havr a pre 64 M70 reworked in Japan.
I wish it was original, actually.

Hi Mike,

Stock carvings were popular in the late '40s and early '50s. The fleur de lys on the cheek piece is nice.

Ron

I just received this email from the man I did the stock work for. My prices just went up...:)

"Hi Ron,

The Winchester just arrived in the USPS JEEP. The stock is superb. I cannot believe the way you created a nimble, elegant light sporting rifle out of that huge log of Walnut I sent you. You are a pro. The finish is perfect, but not flashy and equal or better than any of my custom rifles, including Griffin & Howe, Al Biesen, Wilbur Hauck, Jaeger, Wm. Bennet, etc... Now I am afraid to let another stockmaker checker it. I will have to think about this.

Keep in touch. My wife has just retired and we hope to travel up the West Coast from San Francisco next year and I would be pleased to thank you in person and have you and your wife join us for a nice meal.

Take care of yourself and best wishes,

Angus"

Ron