Wood for the following fine guns was provided by me. All wood shown is either California English or Claro walnut. I do not often get to see the finished project, however, these are a few that I really like.
A very nice custom Model 70 Winchester with a XXXX Select grade of California English walnut. Unfortunately, I do not believe this outstanding custom gunsmith is working any longer. He also did the Ruger No. 1 below and the other rifles in the group picture. The bottom rifle in the group picture is stocked in California Bastogne walnut.
-- California claro walnut on Pre-64 Model 70 Winchester --
-- Custom scaled down youth rifle built for my oldest daughter --
This rifle was originally a Model 31 Remington single shot 22. I bought it for $30 and the rifling was barely visible as it was filled with lead. After a lot of elbow grease and many hours, the bore was bright. I test fired it to determine the rifle had very good accuracy before beginning the project. The rifle was built to 74 percent scale of a full-size sporting rifle. The barrel was shortened and turned to provide a nice contour. I designed the Jaeger-style wrap-around front sight. It was milled from solid barstock, as was the trigger guard. I hand filed the trigger guard to final shape and then stone polished it. My uncle provided a very nice piece of California English walnut that I worked out of the blank the old fashioned way. It has ebony fore-end tip and pistol grip cap to make it look like the big rifles, although I prefer no fore-end ornamentation. It has a leather covered recoil pad that I crafted. The rifle has a very nice and delicate scroll and flower engraving, well suited to a young girl's rifle. My daughter's name and seventh birthday are engraved on the receiver, as is the letter 'T' on the trigger guard. The front sight, barrel, bolt handle and screws are engraved, and the bolt knob is checkered. It is complete except, the 32 line per inch checkering I am still trying to get the courage to do. I also intend to do a little trigger work. I just wish I could shoot it.
© 1999, J. Turner. All rights reserved.
Updated June 14, 1999
