Suggestions for a nice stock?

[Poor_Dog]

I have a 1959 Model 88 Winchester that was given to me by my Father in ’71. He had purchased it used /new in 1960 from the original buyer. The guy had bought the rifle to deer hunt with and on opening day, dropped it from his tree stand, shattering the stock in to three pieces. The old man got a deal on it and took to a body shop in town where they glued, doweled and fiberglass-ed it back together, then coated it with black lacquer. I took my first deer in ’74 with it.

By 1982 it was showing a lot of stress on the stock and I found one in a gun magazine from a dealer in Arkansas. It’s figured black walnut ‘tree root’ and back then the blank was 275 dollars. I don’t have a clue as to what it would cost now, easily in excess of a $1000 though. I have worked it by hand and now have it mounted on the rifle, but it needs a professional to finish it properly. All I’ve done is sand it to the point that all the routing marks are gone and finished it with urethane.

I’d like to find someone local that has a great reputation at stuff like this as well as get their opinion on what needs to be done. I don’t know if I want to get checkering, a weak side carving or what. Or maybe just get it professionally finished and fit to me. It’s a closet queen now and will remain so… I want a piece of art when it’s done and expect to pay for it.

 

Anybody got a suggestion?

 

 

 

 

[smokndav]

I know someone near Knoxville if you live in this area.

[Poor_Dog]

I'm not in Knoxville, been up there quite a bit lately, but that's coming to a close soon.

 

There's several guys on the web that do stock carving but I can't get many hits for Tennessee. Ones that I have found don't have a website.

[Guest USMC 2013]

Sorry I can't help but I would love to see it when it is finished.  Hope you have luck finding a quality artisan.

 

Joe

[MarkInNashville]

Check with Brandon at Middle Tennessee Gunsmithing, He is a custom-work kinda guy! Look at the second pic (from the left) on his site: http://www.midtngunsmithing.com/ I believe he made that stock. He is up in Springfield. (615) 384-5591
 

[gregintenn]

Pretty piece of wood!