Stocks have evolved from customer requests of many years ago. These custom stocks were all made from blanks cut out by hand tools. The stock on this article was made in 1970 in 17 Rem which was a much requested rifle in its time.





Maple was popular and great for light weight rifles. This stock below was in 1978 in 17 Rem.

Maple has so many different figures as this bird's eye shows in this 17 Rem.







Yama wood Japan maple in 222 cal. highly figured from the early 1960's and no longer allowed to export the wood

quote:

These custom stocks were all made from blanks cut out by hand tools.

Thank you for posting Les, what were your go-to hand tools that you used?

Yes, thanks Les. keep posting, and we'll keep viewing and appreciating your posts. I got lots out of your thumb drive, and keep getting more with every post you share with us.

I use almost all of my tools when making a stock from a blank. Look at the Stockmaker Show and Tell at the top of Gunsmith forum. I have replaced most of the pictures and it has several views to see now. I will have to find the tools to post here soon.

I love maple wood stocks; can't figure out why they are not more popular.

Lot of changes in stock design over the years and yours ended with the "American Classic" and come to think about it, some have completely returned to the English (African) Classic, a complete circle thats gone unbroken over the centurys...Kinda cool!

Im a English classic fan btw..I like the Rigbys, and thier ilk..

But no matter the design, even roll over combs and square forends, if the stock makers work is excellent then all should be appreciated.

As to wood, its the owners option, Maple is good wood, but to many of us its a bit on the bland side, however Ive seen scorched maple with red overtoned dye, that was beautiful, Tony Barnes muzzle loaders were awesome and Maple is hard as woodpecker lips..

My personal preference today is Turkish (Russian) from those 300 year old trees as I lean towards dark wood in my rifles, again its all personal choice, nothing more.