When I saw this customized O3A3 I had to have it.

When you ordered a Custom Rifle in the 1960s, you wanted to be sure everyone recognized it was a Custom. This one leaves no doubt.

ROFL... dude that thing is hideous but I am glad you got it! As the old cowboys used to say there is an ass for every saddle...

I'm nominating that for ugliest rifle of the year. So far... Keep shopping!

Looks like a Weatherby. That gives me grip cap envy.

Stores easily from a rafter in the garage.

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:
Looks like a Weatherby. That gives me grip cap envy.

Hello Bitterroot,

I don't have the rifle "in hand" yet. but I'm betting I will find that it was an early gun built by Winslow Arms. I was a big time Winslow collector, but sold off most of my collection a few years back. (see pics) I kept only one, a 378 Wby Mag that was built on a Brevex Action. (last pic) I have an intimate knowledge of the Winslow style and even have copies of all their production records. They used many different brands of actions when they first started the Company. I'll be looking for work-order stampings on the underside of the barrel, or on the stock, or other evidence that matches the Winslow work records. It might even be that this is a Custom rifle that was stocked by Nils Hultgren, who was Winslow's stock maker. Nils also did independent stock making while working for Winslow Arms. Now you can see why I'm attracted to these "Wild" custom rifles of the 1960s & 70s. I also kept a custom Lawson. (first pic)

Lawson
.

Winslow1
Winslow2
Winslow3
Winslow4
Winslow5
Winslow6
.

Winslow Brevex

quote:

Originally posted by bwanamrm:
ROFL... dude that thing is hideous but I am glad you got it! As the old cowboys used to say there is an ass for every saddle...

+1

I am imagining being on an outfitted hunt and seeing an arriving client pull that out of the rifle case. It would halt small talk in it's tracks !

Well, if you run out of ammunition, at least you'll have a good war club.

i just threw up in my mouth a little - the metal is actually nice. put in a bell and carlson stock!

it's from the "we don't talk about it" times. it's ugly in so many ways
like a vintage bean bag chair

quote:

I'm attracted to these "Wild" custom rifles of the 1960s & 70s. I also kept a custom Lawson. (first pic)

Acid was popular then. Just sayin'

It's hard to look away. cool but still.

no where near as radical

I also have other custom Springfields .. this is my early Fisher in 35 Whelen cal, but not near as "flashy" as the 30-06 first posted.
As a side note, don't be too quick to dismiss the desire to own a "flashy" rifle from the past. I sold Winslow no. 5 pictured above for 5 figures.

That might be a Fischer, but I don't think you will find Jerry Fisher's name on it anywhere. Let see the signature?

As for the original post it is The Worst example of American Stockmaking I've ever seen.

IIRC.....the wild Winslow offerings were very popular with rich middle eastern guys.....back in the day.

The Winslows I've had were 17 caliber varmints,in the Bushmaster style.

In addition to Winslow....Nils Hultgren also did presentation stock work for the O'brien Rifle Company in the early to mid-60's. The turned stocks were sourced from the Royal Arms Company in California. Very petite rifles....using Sako L461 actions......barrelled by A&M or Ackley.

Here's a pic of the inside of O'Brien's pamphlet/catalog.



Kevin

quote:

Originally posted by SDH:
As for the original post it is The Worst example of American Stockmaking I've ever seen.

Hello SDH,

Rifles with unusual "Radical" Stocks from the Classic makers of the 1960s and 70s are rare and highly sought after by collectors.
I truly believe; Opinions are like belly buttons - everyone has one.

quote:

Originally posted by Kevin Gullette: In addition to Winslow....Nils Hultgren also did presentation stock work for the O'brien Rifle Company in the early to mid-60's. Kevin

Hello Kevin Gullette,

Nils Hultgren moved to California in the early 70s to take care of his sick brother. From there, he continued to work for Winslow, but also did a lot of independent work between jobs. Here is one he did for Atkinson and Marquart in 1972. Its a 475 A&M caliber built for James Lepman. I've also shown an XP-100 that Nils stocked, and a "cool" 475 A&M Weatherby.

I don't take all the negative comments too seriously. I like to collect the "radical" stocked guns and post about them in forums for others to admire. I like to display them at shows along side my collected Classic Custom rifles by; Alvin Linden, Leonard Mews, Bob Brownell, PO Ackley, Monty Kennedy, Jerry Fisher, George Hoenig, Fred Wells, and others of the 50s, 60s, and 70s. In most cases, the "fancy" ones are of more interest to gun cranks, and start many more conversations, than the more traditional ones.

In 50 years people might look back on what we are building now and find it absolutely boring.

In the original post, how the hell did he grind that buttpad???

I could love it if it were mine. But then I like beanbag chairs too

Excellent counter-fodder for the next time I hear a random boomer complaining about rifles of today.

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:
In 50 years people might look back on what we are building now and find it absolutely boring.

In the original post, how the hell did he grind that buttpad???

Not sure you're spot on with that..The classic rifles built in the early 20th century still look damn good even today.

Being diferent is not always better

quote:

Not sure you're spot on with that..The classic rifles built in the early 20th century still look damn good even today.

Being diferent is not always better

I agree. The classic styles will always remain. That's why they're classic. But styles de jour come and go just like skirt lengths. I have a feeling what we think outlandish will come around again and be popular, if for only a moment in time. Hence the 60's and 70's.

Here's a somewhat "subdued" Winslow/Sako L461 in 17-222........in a nicely figured 2X4.

Kevin

quote:

Originally posted by Kevin Gullette:
Here's a somewhat "subdued" Winslow/Sako L461 in 17-222........in a nicely figured 2X4.
Kevin

Very nice,
Did Nils Hultgren carve his NH initials is the border of the grip carving? send me a couple close up pics of both sides of the grip.

Whenever I see any sporterized Springfield, I cry; someone has butchered a valuable, collectable, and irreplaceable US Military rifle. Sad. We can make, and buy, sporting rifles all day, but these are gone forever.

Yep.......on this rifle his initials are on the lower left grip panel carving.

On a different 17-222......in addition to the left grip panel, he inked his initials onto the ivory inlay.........see it??

Kevin


The whole rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Whenever I see any sporterized Springfield, I cry; someone has butchered a valuable, collectable, and irreplaceable US Military rifle. Sad. We can make, and buy, sporting rifles all day, but these are gone forever.

Hello dpcd,

Fortunately there are still many thousands of unaltered Springfields left for collectors.

quote:

Originally posted by Kevin Gullette:
Yep.......on this rifle his initials are on the lower left grip panel carving.
On a different 17-222......in addition to the left grip panel, he inked his initials onto the ivory inlay.........see it??

Kevin

Hello Kevin,

Very nice. All my Winslow rifles had his initials.
My Winslow number 5 also had his complete signature along the bottom of the carved rhino horn inlay. ... Winslow5 ...
I'm hoping to find his initials, or a Winslow number, somewhere on the Springfield when I get it in hand.

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:

quote:

Not sure you're spot on with that..The classic rifles built in the early 20th century still look damn good even today.

Being diferent is not always better

I agree. The classic styles will always remain. That's why they're classic. But styles de jour come and go just like skirt lengths. I have a feeling what we think outlandish will come around again and be popular, if for only a moment in time. Hence the 60's and 70's.

Unfortunately, you may be right..Maybe get a head start on blue plastic hummingbird inlays?

I'm not sure if the caliber is still 30-06. If it is, I might open it up to 300 Win Mag. That might add to the "custom" appeal.

"Gunsining 101" If theres a belt cut visible in the chamber mouoth.....it ain't an 06..Just takes a quick glance..... if you know what youre lookng for.

Selling the Winslow for five figures? Some guys are lucky enough to poop in a swinging bucket!

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
"Gunsining 101" If theres a belt cut visible in the chamber mouoth.....it ain't an 06..Just takes a quick glance..... if you know what youre lookng for.

Selling the Winslow for five figures? Some guys are lucky enough to poop in a swinging bucket!

Hello Duane ...

Dah, ... yes, I know that ... "Reading 101" ... as per my second post above .. Just takes a quick glance...- I don't have the rifle "in hand" yet.

and yes ... 5 figures for the best one (no. 5, the one with the carved rhino horn inlay), and high 4 figures for each and every one of the others. Some people are willing to pay for rare, classic rifles. No one has been able to duplicate the master stock work of Nils Hultgren.

quote:

Originally posted by Bitterroot:

quote:

I'm attracted to these "Wild" custom rifles of the 1960s & 70s. I also kept a custom Lawson. (first pic)

Acid was popular then. Just sayin'

That rifle is far out and solid, man!

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
That rifle is far out and solid, man!

Hello Michael

Yes, I couldn't wait to get it in hand. The 4th of July Holiday delayed delivery.

I finally got the rifle and I couldn't be happier. Not only did I find another wonderful inlay on the bottom of the forend, I also found Nils Hultgren's initials (NH) inside the stock. I also found it listed in the Winslow records that I received from Sue Albritton. Its listed as a Bushmaster "Custom"; Winslow serial number 101 - order number 612.

Sue Albritton and her husband, Sylvester Michael (Al) Albritton, purchased the Winslow Arms Co. in 1978. Al and Sue had worked for the Winslow Arms Company since its inception in 1962 in Osprey, Florida. Al and Sue were instrumental in keeping the Company prosperous after it relocated to Camden, South Carolina in 1976. When Al passed away in 2013, Sue took over managing the company. I met Sue in 2019 and learned that she kept a record of all the Winslow rifle production in a small hand-written notebook. Later that year she mailed me her notebook and allowed me to make copies of all the pages.

Buck....

Are there any external NH signatures on the stock? There should be......

Also.....any records of 17 caliber rifles?

Thanks,
Kevin

Hello,

Nothing external. I assume because because there are no wide borders on this skip-line checkering, unlike the carved or basket weave patterns with wide borders.

Yes, there are rifles in 17 calibers in the records. PM me your serial number and I'll look it up.

Not my style but the workman ship that went into is fantastic.

I have one 03 "sporter" and had up to 8 full unaltered 03's.

I think I have 3 left.

Should just sell them and make room.

hello p dog shooter,

I have had a dozen 03's over the years, both original and sporters. I still have a Custom sporter by Leonard Mews, and an original Camp Perry Match rifle from the 1950's.

This is the worst thread Ive ever seen on AR, and I cant find the slide to put my money in the pictured juke boxes!!

However on the real side some show excellent gun maker skills and congrats on that but I can't handle the design at all..

Good News - I've had a dedicated Winslow collector contact me wanting to buy this new found treasure. Another high 4 figure sale when I'm done licking the honey off it.

quote:

Originally posted by buckstix:
Good News - I've had a dedicated Winslow collector contact me wanting to buy this new found treasure. Another high 4 figure sale when I'm done licking the honey off it.

GOSH!

quote:

Originally posted by buckstix:
Good News - I've had a dedicated Winslow collector contact me wanting to buy this new found treasure. Another high 4 figure sale when I'm done licking the honey off it.

Hell, I’d have given you four figures for it!

But you’d have had to count the two zeros to the right of the decimal point!

But each to his own taste.