Wonder where it is today??????
Feb 6, 2010 19:12:35 GMT -5
Post by ozark on Feb 6, 2010 19:12:35 GMT -5
Not long after finishing gunsmith school I decided to build me a rifle that would stand out in any rack. I took a 1903A3 with a four grove barrel and set to work. I spent hours draw filing the barrel and more hours polishing it and the receiver. I polished and jeweled the bolt, bent the handle to accommodate a scope and after getting a high sheen polish on everything I blued it with Blue/black hot bluing. I then drilled and tapped it for a scope and put a bueler safety and a aftermarket trigger on it.
I then ordered a tiger tail maple stock blank roughly shaped with rosewood cap for the beavertail fore end and the grip area. I spent many hours inletting and glass bedding this stock. I then put a hand rubbed finish on it and checkered the grip and fore end with French skip checkering. It was indeed a beauty and the stock finish looked like you could see into the tiger tail pattern. The custom bluing and the jeweled bolt stood out. I don't recall what scope I had on it. I probably had a hundred bucks in the rifle plus the work I had done.
I kept it stored much of the time where I was the Armorer for the Marksmanship unit. It was a beautiful rifle according to everyone that looked at it.
A long chest high counter separated me from the shooters and visitors as I didn't allow others around where I was working without first giving my permission.
One day a Major came in and I asked if I could help him. "No, I just had some time to kill and had never been in this building or seen the indoor range you have here." I had turned from him and went to the drill press where I was doing some work when he asked who's rifle that was standing in the corner. I told him it was one I had customized out of a 1903A3. He asked if he could look at it.
I got it and laid it on the counter opening the bolt. I had the counter covered with army blankets to cushion our rifles. The major then removed rings from his fingers before picking up the rifle and I thought to myself: "Now, that is truly a show of respect."
I went back to my work while he examined the rifle. Finally, he ask if I would sell it? "I wouldn't take a penny less than $300.00 for it I answered." I turned back to my work and he said: "I need you full name to make this check out he said." It may have been $350. I am not sure. Anyway, he was writing me a check and left with my rifle. That was in 1965 and money was scarce for most of us. I spent around 150 of that money at the PX for a new 725 Remington in a 30.06.
Why would I share this: Because when he removed his rings before picking up the rifle it showed me what respect he had for careful workmanship. Few would have shown such respect.
I then ordered a tiger tail maple stock blank roughly shaped with rosewood cap for the beavertail fore end and the grip area. I spent many hours inletting and glass bedding this stock. I then put a hand rubbed finish on it and checkered the grip and fore end with French skip checkering. It was indeed a beauty and the stock finish looked like you could see into the tiger tail pattern. The custom bluing and the jeweled bolt stood out. I don't recall what scope I had on it. I probably had a hundred bucks in the rifle plus the work I had done.
I kept it stored much of the time where I was the Armorer for the Marksmanship unit. It was a beautiful rifle according to everyone that looked at it.
A long chest high counter separated me from the shooters and visitors as I didn't allow others around where I was working without first giving my permission.
One day a Major came in and I asked if I could help him. "No, I just had some time to kill and had never been in this building or seen the indoor range you have here." I had turned from him and went to the drill press where I was doing some work when he asked who's rifle that was standing in the corner. I told him it was one I had customized out of a 1903A3. He asked if he could look at it.
I got it and laid it on the counter opening the bolt. I had the counter covered with army blankets to cushion our rifles. The major then removed rings from his fingers before picking up the rifle and I thought to myself: "Now, that is truly a show of respect."
I went back to my work while he examined the rifle. Finally, he ask if I would sell it? "I wouldn't take a penny less than $300.00 for it I answered." I turned back to my work and he said: "I need you full name to make this check out he said." It may have been $350. I am not sure. Anyway, he was writing me a check and left with my rifle. That was in 1965 and money was scarce for most of us. I spent around 150 of that money at the PX for a new 725 Remington in a 30.06.
Why would I share this: Because when he removed his rings before picking up the rifle it showed me what respect he had for careful workmanship. Few would have shown such respect.