It's been awhile since I've seen a post on a custom rifle (Mr. O'Connor's rifle notwithstanding) So I figured I'd share a pic or two (or 14) of the latest work from the bench. Built on an early production GMA. Smithson scope mounts. Engraving by Rachel Wells.

Very nice!

Super clean and sharp, very nice work!

Beautiful work. Love the British influence.

Is Rachel Wells related to Frank Wells? Or maybe the late Fred Wells of Prescott?

Interesting,
Built on a Prescott action.
It's been a good dozen years since GMA was in Prescott.
I made small parts for Mike when he was in Prescott. 3 position safeties, cocking pieces, extractors.
Shortly thereafter he handed the whole works off to John they moved to Phoenix.

Nice work.

Thank you all.

Jeffery: Rachel's the widow of the late Fred Wells in Prescott, AZ. I actually took several engraving classes from her about 10 years ago. Truly the salt of the earth type of woman. A little too kind, as even though I scored very high marks in her class, I wisely chose to stick with the gunmaking Last I heard she's still going strong in the shop everyday.

Hi Stuart,
It was neat to see one of their early actions. I'm sure not many of these are left in action form. I inherited this project after ill health caused it to sit on another gunmaker's bench for quite some time. It had your three position on it with blackburn bottom metal and trigger. John's doing everything in house now down in Phoenix.
Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by Timan:
Interesting,
Built on a Prescott action.
It's been a good dozen years since GMA was in Prescott.
I made small parts for Mike when he was in Prescott. 3 position safeties, cocking pieces, extractors.
Shortly thereafter he handed the whole works off to John they moved to Phoenix.

Nice work.

Wow!

That's a thing of beauty!
Thanks for sharing with us Mr MNR.

Zeke

quote:

Originally posted by MNR:
Thank you all.

Jeffery: Rachel's the widow of the late Fred Wells in Prescott, AZ. I actually took several engraving classes from her about 10 years ago. Truly the salt of the earth type of woman. A little too kind, as even though I scored very high marks in her class, I wisely chose to stick with the gunmaking Last I heard she's still going strong in the shop everyday.

Thanks for the background information. That shop (Prescott) was a Mecca. Long ago, early 80s I think, I took a trip to Prescott and stopped by the shop. Fred was not there at the time but his wife (didn't remember she was Rachel) was minding the store. Bought one of the first Kimber 22s from her there. There were many fascinating and tempting things to check out on the rifle rack. She was very nice to a late 20s guy with wide eyes for African rifles.

looks great!
I'm sure feeding was fun.

Righteous Matt, lucky client

Thanks James! Ya, I'd like to murder whoever came up with those line of cartridges

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:
looks great!
I'm sure feeding was fun.

Beautiful! Thanks for showing us.

A rifle with a soul. Thanks for sharing. You are gifted, kudos.

quote:

Originally posted by Timan:
Interesting,
Built on a Prescott action.
It's been a good dozen years since GMA was in Prescott.
I made small parts for Mike when he was in Prescott. 3 position safeties, cocking pieces, extractors.
Shortly thereafter he handed the whole works off to John they moved to Phoenix.

Nice work.

Just out of curiosity, what, if any, are the distinguishing physical features that differentiate a Prescott action and a Phoenix action?

The lines of that rifle are perfection.

That's a dandy!

Excellent work, Matthew. A true modern classic.

In one of my favorite calibers! I've literally killed scores of game with it.

quote:

Originally posted by Kolo-Pan:

quote:

Originally posted by Timan:
Interesting,
Built on a Prescott action.
It's been a good dozen years since GMA was in Prescott.
I made small parts for Mike when he was in Prescott. 3 position safeties, cocking pieces, extractors.
Shortly thereafter he handed the whole works off to John they moved to Phoenix.

Nice work.

Just out of curiosity, what, if any, are the distinguishing physical features that differentiate a Prescott action and a Phoenix action?

Zoom in on left side of the action, it says Prescott AZ. That's one thing I picked up on.

Back in about '04 worked up a 1/2 dozen GMA k barreled actions for Westley Richards, obviously all
Prescott actions as the Phoenix move hadn't happened.
Neat little actions.
The one thing I found necessary to change so I could get a really good feed was the follower spring. I went to a Rem. 700 S/A spring, they have the proper tension figured out, the GMA follower springs I had where so ungodly thick and strong they were basically useless.

Timan..good idea...I used to put them in he kitchen oven at 500... that worked well too

MNR: Very pretty rile!

How sweet it is!

When you say Smithson mounts, did you machine the the GMA square bridges and get his rings? Or weld on his bases?

Sweet rifle. I really like the barrel contour. How is the front sling swivel attached? It has a tiny base.

Jeremy

The Smithson rings are machined directly into the square bridges.
The front sling swivel is soldered on.
Thank you!

quote:

Originally posted by farbedo:
When you say Smithson mounts, did you machine the the GMA square bridges and get his rings? Or weld on his bases?

Sweet rifle. I really like the barrel contour. How is the front sling swivel attached? It has a tiny base.

Jeremy

quote:

2005

Outstanding, beautiful !

That is pure filth!

Nice rifle!
Thanks for sharing.

Fabulous.