Читать книгу Gun Digest 2011 - Dan Shideler - Страница 15

Custom and Engraved Guns

BY TOM TURPIN

This photo shows the new USA-made Searcy “rising bite” double flanked on either side by an original Rigby double shotgun featuring the rising bite they offered to the market at the turn of the 20th century. This pair of original Rigby doubles were made in 1903. The Searcy was finished in 2010. Photo by Steve Helsley.

A close-up photo of the Searcy-produced Rigby Bissell “rising bite” locking system. Due to the complexity and difficulty of manufacture, to my knowledge, none have been made in more than a half-century, probably closer to 75 years or so. Photo by Steve Helsley.

Shane Thompson FN 98 Mauser. Photo by Gene Wright.

Shane Thompson

Shane Thompson is a very talented young gunmaker. He does both stock and metalwork and he does each with equal meticulousness. The rifle shown here is a good example of his work in both materials. He started with a very early FN Model 98 Mauser action that he blueprinted, truing all the surfaces. He recontoured and reshaped a 1909 Argentine set of bottom metal and fitted it to the action. He fabricated scope rings and bases from bar stock in his shop and fitted them to the action. He chambered the barrel for the 270 Winchester cartridge, fitted a three-position safety and finally hand polished the action and barrel.

The stock on this rifle is a bit unusual. It is fabricated from a piece of mesquite that grew on the client’s ranch. The client cut and sealed the wood many years ago. He insisted on using it for the stock. Shane whittled out the stock and fitted it with a genuine horn forend tip and grip cap. He checkered it in a point pattern 24 and added a mullered border. He finished his work by mounting a Leupold 3-9 variable scope. The finished rifle weighs 7 lbs., 11 ozs. W/O scope, and 8 lbs., 10 ozs. with scope. The astute viewer might note that the rifle is a right hand action, but stocked for a southpaw. That’s the way the client learned to shoot, and the way he wanted it done. Finally, Gary Griffiths engraved the rifle.

Gane Simillion

Simillion Winchester M70 .375 H&H Magnum. Photo by Gene Simillion.

This 375 H&H rifle is from the Colorado shop of Gene Simillion. Starting with a Winchester Model 70 Classic action, a Krieger barrel, and a very nice stick of Turkish walnut, Gene went to work. He first blueprinted the action and fitted Blackburn bottom metal to it. He fitted and chambered the Krieger barrel, working on the feeding until it is flawless. He machined custom bases for the Talley scope rings he used to mount the Swarovski variable scope. He also fitted an adjustable rear sight to the barrel. He then whittled the stock from the blank of Turkish walnut and checkered it in a point pattern, 26 LPI. The finished rifle with scope weighs 9-3/4 pounds.

Butch Searcy

The rifle shown here is a bit of a departure from those normally found in this section. Although it can be and usually is a “bespoke” gun, and therefore made for a specific client, it is the first modern made double rifle that has appeared in the custom gun section under my byline that I can recall. Butch Searcy has been making double Rifles for a number of years now. Over time, his Rifles have developed a reputation as solid, affordable, working double rifles. This rifle is the first of a new breed of Searcy double, and for two reasons: it is a sidelock gun instead of the more often encountered boxlock. Still, though not common, Butch has produced sidelock guns before. What really sets this one apart, and something that no one has produced in at least a half-century or more, not even the Brits, is that this Rifle features a Rigby-Bissell patent (1879) rising bite third-bite. It is my understanding that the “new” London Rigby firm is producing a Rigby double featuring this locking system as well. I’ve seen photos of it “in the works,” but don’t know if it is finished as yet. At any rate this rifle is complete and chambered for the .470 NE cartridge.

Trez Hensley/ Ed LaPour Colt Lightning. Photo by Mustafa Bilal, Turk’s Head Productions.

Frey Hensley

One of our best custom stockmakers over the last couple decades has been Darwin Hensley. His stocks have been on many of our very best firearms. Alas, Darwin has been stricken with Parkinson’s disease and can no longer turn out his fabulous custom stocks. However, the family name associated with the custom gun trade is in good hands. His son Trez has picked up where Darwin had to leave off.

This wonderful custom rifle began as an original Colt Lightning rifle chambered for the .44WCF cartridge, made in 1878. The metalwork is mostly original, but has been cleaned up a bit by both Trez and by Ed LaPour. LaPour also executed the wonderful engraving and gold inlay work on the rifle. Hensley then crafted the extraordinary stock from a really nice piece of Turkish walnut. He checkered the stock in a point pattern at 26 LPI with a mullered border. The shadow line cheekpiece is very unusual in that it features a double radius, rather than the usual single. Trez is well equipped to carry on the tradition of excellence established by his father.

Hans Doesel

Hans Doesel is a relatively young German engraver who studied under my old friend Erich Boessler. I believe that he apprenticed under Erich as well as studied for his Master certificate under him. He’s been a Master engraver for several years now and is turning out some fastidious work. He is very versatile and can do traditional Germanic sculpting in deep relief, as well as delicate bulino work. Shown here are two examples of his artistry.

Doesel Sauer Model 202 action featuring rather typical Germanic gold line inlay work in combination with much less common bulino game scenes. Framing both is profuse scrollwork. All the work is beautifully done. Photo by Hans Doesel.

Doesel Floorplate from a Model 70 Winchester that is mostly bulino work depicting an African scene featuring three Cape buffalo. Included is moderate gold line inlay and larger scroll decoration, including a fleur de lis motif. Photo by Hans Doesel.

Ferrell/Swanson Frank Wesson No. 1 Long Range Rifle in .45-100. Photos by Tom Rowe.

Roger Ferrell and Mark Swanson

This rifle was commissioned by a collector of Frank Wesson rifles with a goal of creating a quality reproduction of the original Wesson No. 1 Long Range rifle as a tribute to Frank Wesson. The owner of this rifle is also writing a book on Wesson Rifles. The Wesson design is based on Alexander Henry’s falling block action. The most unique feature on the rifle is the treatment of the octagon flats at the breech of the action. All work, including the exquisite American Black Walnut stock, was done in the Georgia shop of Roger Ferrell except for the engraving. Mark Swanson executed that portion of the project. The tang and heel sights are exact reproductions of original Wesson sights that the owner had fabricated specifically for this project. The front sight is from Montana Vintage Arms. The rifle is chambered for the .45-100 cartridge.

Barry Lee Hands

Shown here are two examples of the artistry of Montana engraver Barry Lee Hands. Considering that he’s about the same age as my son, it’s remarkable that he has progressed so much in such a short time. A very versatile engraver, he can do most any style of engraving, and do it very well indeed.

This little Colt .25 auto is a perfect canvas for Barry’s exquisite floral and gold pattern, on both steel and pearl. This work is as good as it gets. Photo by Barry Lee Hands.

It is probably unfair to show just the buttplate engraving on this Rifle. The scene depicts the annual collection of winter’s meat by the plains Indians, driving buffalo off a cliff and then collecting their rewards. This scene is done in high relief and is immaculate. Photo by Barry Lee Hands.

Terry Wieland and James Flynn

This rifle is the brainchild of outdoors writer Terry Wieland. Terry is a Canadian by birth, and an avid Anglophile. In addition to being a fantastic writer, he is also a history buff and delights in doing themed projects. This rifle is such a project, and is called his Beau Brummell rifle. Brummell, for those unaware, was the arbiter of English men’s fashion in the late 18th century and into the early 19th century. >His motto was “if people turn to look at you on the street, you are not well dressed.” He left behind an England where men dressed in austere but superbly cut clothing, a style still followed there today.

Wieland/Flynn “Beau Brummel Rifle” on FN Supreme Mauser action. Photo by Terry Wieland.

Wieland, in collaboration with Louisiana gunmaker James Flynn, transferred Brummell’s concept in clothing to the making of this rifle. Their object was to demonstrate the time, effort, and skill that go into making a custom rifle functional and aesthetic perfection, like a Beau Brummell dinner jacket. Starting with a FN Supreme Mauser action, a Danny Pedersen 25-caliber cut-rifled barrel, they had Bill Dowtin of Old World Walnut personally select the blank of walnut for the project. James Flynn then fashioned all the components into a functional masterpiece that would fully fit Beau Brummell’s sense of styling. I like to call it quiet elegance.

Reto Buehler

Reto Buehler began this project with a Granite Mountain Arms Magnum Mauser action, a custom contoured PacNor barrel, and a fabulous stick of Turkish walnut. He first extended the tangs to the action and to the bottom metal. He also machined the quarter rib from bar stock. The GMA action was worked over to feed the big .500 Jeffery cartridges like a hot knife through butter. He then fashioned the terrific stock in the English styling. He checkered the stock in 20 LPI flat topped checkering. Reto finished the job by rust bluing the metalwork and nitre bluing the ejector and extractor spring. It just doesn’t get any better than this.

Reto Buehler .500 Jeffery on GMA action. Photo by Mustafa Bilal, Turks Head Productions.

Mike Dubber

Mike Dubber from Indiana is a super-talented engraver. Over the past several years that I’ve known him, he has matured from a really good engraver into a really great one much more quickly than most I have known. This photo is a recent example of his exemplary work. He started with a 2nd Generation Colt SAA, and a theme of the Lakota Sioux last buffalo hunt. He even had a pencil drawing of the last Sioux buffalo hunter, drawn by an unknown artist in the 1800s. The 5-1/2 inch barrel revolver has been heavily inlaid with gold and platinum, and has been fitted with custom sambar stag grips. It is chambered for the .45 Colt cartridge and is finished in French Gray.

Mike Dubber 2nd Gen SAA in .45 Colt. Photo by Tom Alexander.

Gary Goudy.

A lovely custom rifle from the shop of stockmaker Gary Goudy. The rifle was a Model 70 Featherweight .30-06, and the barrel was so accurate that it was retained. Gary fitted an ancient set of Ted Blackburn bottom metal to the action. Note that it does not use a straddle floorplate, something that Ted hasn’t produced in years. The stock is checkered in a very nice point pattern with mullered borders. Bob Evans engraved the rifle.

Gary Goudy M70 Featherweight in .30-06. Photo by Gary Bolster.

Goudy Daisy Red Ryder. Photo by Gary Bolster.

This is most likely the most unusual custom rifle that you’ll ever come across. Gary Goudy’s client wanted a custom BB gun for his grandson. Gary came up with a brand new Daisy Red Ryder BB gun and stocked it with a magnificent piece of Turkish walnut. I’ve been around the horn a time or two, but this is the only custom BB gun that I’ve ever come across.

Paul Lindke

Stockmaker Paul Lindke started this project with a pre-’64 Model 70 barreled action, chambered for the .270 Winchester cartridge. The factory barrel was so accurate that it was retained. He picked up a very nice stick of California English walnut from Steve Heilmann, and added a McFarland steel skeleton buttplate, a Leupold VX-3 2.5-8 scope, and Leupold double dovetail mounts. He stocked the rifle, adding an ebony forend tip, and checkered the stock in a 24 LPI fleur de lis pattern with ribbons.

Lindke pre-’64 M70 in .270 Winchester. Photo by Tom Alexander.

Bob Strosin

What’s the old saw about the shoemaker’s kid’s shoes never getting done? When engraver Bob Strosin decided he needed a new elk rifle, he pulled out the stops. He had Joe Bautz work over the 1909 Argentine Mauser action, doing the blueprinting and adding a three-position safety, Talley quick-detachable mounts, and a raised and checkered bolt stop pad. Bautz turned the metal over to Toby Leeds who crafted the superb stock, with a steel buttplate. Strosin then used the rifle as a canvas for his embellishment. He also did the bluing and French Gray finishing.

Strosin/Bautz/Leeds 1909 Argentine Mauser. Photos by Tom Alexander.

Lee Griffiths

Lee Griffiths is a very talented and versatile engraver. Shown here are two examples that emphasize the wide range of engraving styles that he is more than capable of executing to perfection. The first photo is of a L.C. Smith double 12-gaugeshotgun, which Griffiths engraved in traditional scrollwork, bulino scenes, and gold line inlay work. There is also heavy chiseled sculpting on the fences and the breaking lever. The second example, a Perazzi O/U, features much more contemporary styled engraving, combining traditional scrollwork with a heavily sculpted trigger guard bow, and multi-metal inlay work, including gold, platinum, silver, and copper inlays. Both pieces are exquisitely done.

Lee Griffiths LC Smith 12-gauge. Photo courtesy of Lee Griffiths.

Griffiths Perazzi O/U. Photo courtesy of Lee Griffiths.

David Norin

Chicago-area gunmaker David Norin can and does do everything on a custom gun except the engraving. Shown here are some examples of his work. The action is a Standard Model, which came out of the great Oberndorf Werke in the 1930s. Norin fitted a Fisher round bottom magazine and trigger guard assembly, added a new bolt knob, suitably checkered, and polished, ground and stoned the action to the stage shown in the photo. The barreled action is a Dakota .22 RF to which has been added a sculpted bolt knob, a quarter-rib with express sights, and added stoning and polishing. This barreled action will be stocked as a mini-African stalking rifle. Finally, the completed rifle is a Mauser action 7x57, fitted with Fisher round bottom magazine and trigger guard assembly, an Oberndorf style bolt knob, three-position safety, Blackburn trigger, and a Lyman 48 peep sight. The rifle is stocked in a very nice stick of Turkish walnut and checkered in a point pattern at 22 LPI. The rifle is intended to be a deep woods deer rifle.

The artistry of David Norin.

Photo by Tom Alexander.

Al Lofgren

Al Lofgren is a superb stockmaker and long-time member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild (ACGG). Al delights in crafting fine custom stocks in the Germanic style. He has crafted many stocks using the reinforcing side-panels, so reminiscent of Mauser factory stocks from the early twentieth century. In preparing for this job, looking through Michael Petrov’s fine book, Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century, he came across an example of a Sauer made rifle with metal side-plates inletted into the reinforcing panels of the stock. He decided to incorporate metal side-plates into this stock job, using a nice stick of walnut from Paul and Sharon Dressel. Steve Nelson did much of the metalwork, including the square-bridging work on the rear bridge. He also did the quarter-rib and installed the 3-position safety, Talley scope mounts and the Weaver 3x scope.

Lofgren Mauser with metal sideplates. Photos by Tom Alexander.

Glenn Fewless

The Rifle shown here is a very early Gibbs 1870 Farquharson, serial number 92. It is a well-traveled rifle. It went from England, where it was manufactured, to India, and from there to New Zealand, and from Kiwi land to the USA. The rifle is chambered for the .500 3-inch Black Powder Express. It was not in the best of condition when it arrived at the Wisconsin bench of metalsmith Glenn Fewless. He completely rebuilt the rifle including fitting a 26-inch full ribbed barrel. When Glenn finished the metalwork, he shipped the rifle to Illinois stockmaker Doug Mann. Doug crafted the magnificent stock from a superb stick of Turkish Exhibition grade walnut. Working from the blank, he whittled out the stock keeping in mind the original Gibbs styling for the stock. He added the leather covered pad, ebony forend tip, and checkered the finished stock in a 24 LPI point pattern. The rifle as shown is still in the white, awaiting finishing instructions from the client.

Glenn Fewless Gibbs Farquharson in .500 BPE, still in the white. Photos by Tom Alexander.

Joe Rundell

Joe Rundell is a multi-talented guy. He crafts wonderful custom stocks, does superb metalsmithing, but above all, he is a master engraver. While I don’t normally run photos of anything other than custom guns here, I liked this custom knife so well that I thought it would be permissible. Knives and guns go together like biscuits and gravy anyway. Scott Sawby, using Damascus steel forged by Devin Thomas, crafted this custom Damascus folder. The client for this knife wanted nudes on the scales, and selected Joe Rundell to do the execution. He did a masterful job.

Photo by Tom Alexander.

Roger Sampson

Roger Sampson began studying engraving under the watchful eye of Emma Achleithner, who had been trained in Ferlach, Austria. Roger became a member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America (FEGA) in 1985, and has been a professional member since 1989. He currently serves on the board of FEGA. Although Roger has specialized for years in adorning miniature firearms, the one shown here is a full-size rifle. It is an original early Winchester Model 1885, built in 1888. The rifle was built by Jim Westberg and checkered by Don Klein. Roger than engraved the rifle in a lovely scroll pattern. The rifle is currently in the white, awaiting a decision from the client on the final finish option.

Roger Sampson original Winchester Model 1885, still in the white. Photo by Tom Alexander.

Bob Evans

Bob Evans has been a successful engraver for many years now. He is a long-time member of the Firearms Engravers Guild of America and has served as that Guild’s Historian for many years.

This floorplate is typical of Bob Evans artistry. The rifle was custom crafted for a client by Gary Goudy on a Model 70 action. It is chambered for the ever-popular .30-06 cartridge and the client specified it was to be his deer Rifle. Following that theme, Evans designed the pattern executed on the floorplate featuring an engraved and gold inlaid buck head as the centerpiece. He complemented the deer scene with lovely scrollwork and gold line inlay. Photo by Gary Bolster.