I wanted to run some possibilities by the group. On another thread a member came up with an idea to use the Sarco/Demoulin actions for a "rifle special". Not a bad idea...

My past experience was gained from learning a good basic foundation at gunsmithing school, then further expansion and refining of my work was done working alongside Bailey Bradshaw for three years doing double gun work.

My initial ideas were to do a rifle styled after the highly desired pre-war Rigby. To make it a "Special" at a lower cost we need to standardize some things. We could do one smaller caliber then one larger. Something like .275 Ribgy, then .375 H&H or .404? I would be making two different sized stocks to use as patterns, the barrel contours would all need to be the same. Barrel contours would also be styled after Rigby.

Rifle specs:
-Sarco action w/bolt handle mod
-Rigby pattern barrels cut to customer spec
-Rigby pattern stock cut to customer LOP(Drop measurements would need to be standard, neutral cast, no cheekpiece)
-oil finished stock
-$400 budget for Turkish or English walnut(quarter-sawn only)
-Subdued point pattern checkering 24lpi
-English style barrel mounted iron sights
-QR scope rings
-Barrel mounted sling base w/butt stock sling base
-Wiebe or NECG trap door grip cap
-Wiebe checkered butt plate or recoil pad?
-slow rust blued metal
-caliber engraving only

-Rifles would be warrantied for 5yrs and come with a program where the owner can send it back for a free refinishing once in the rifles life.
-$5,500 if we can get 6 or more orders. The large caliber would be slightly more expensive.

Theres things we can do to lower the cost if committed parties agree; drop the expensive grip cap and butt plate, hot caustic blue instead of rust blue, etc...

-We could also add some subdued hand engraving on the rifle for additional cost.
-Customers can also add money for a higher wood budget.
-We can also come up with a scope to include in the package. Rings could then be made so scopes are mounted low as possible.

Looking for feedback, not necessarily commitment yet. That is unless someone wants to finance the first rifle/advertising piece.

Here's some picture of my past work by request.

Here is a 9.3x74R I did 100% of the stock work on and built/regulated the barrels on:

.303 double I also did all the stock work on:

A .45-70 I did most of the work on excluding the initial rough machining of the action, the Damascus parts were a combination of labor between Bailey and I:

(cell phone pics)
Heres that .45-70 match rifle all finished up.

The customer requested a damascus grip cap, butt plate, and forend inlay for his single shot .45-70.
We didnt have any billets, so away we go...

I didnt get enough pictures of the process.

First step is to layer your dissimular steels. In this case we used 1018, 1084, and L6; 19 layers to be exact.
You must stack the steel first, then weld the seams. After welding the seams the billet goes into the forge to be forge welded and pressed. Bars are drawn out in our hydrolic press to a length of 22" or so.

Once cooled down we cut the billet into 5ths, about 4" in length each. For proper forge welding and end result you also must remove all slag from the previous time spent in the forge. Since we started with 19 layers and cut it into 5ths, we then stack the billets which will result in 95ish layers. before going into the forge we weld the seams agian

The forge welding, drawing into a bar, cutting, removing slag, and stacking happens agin. This result in a billet with 475 layers. At the end we press the bar in the hydrolic press using a special die that looks like gear teeth. this draws the steel grain structure into a ladder style pattern. You'll see below on a butt plate what im talking about.


billet being cut into 5ths after the first forging process:

billets cut and starting to remove slag


billet on the welding bench for arc welding. seams on the sides and ends are welded

Way on down the road turned into grip cap and forend inlay. Just after etching:


Grip cap heat colored and lacquered(bad picture):


Butt plate made, heat colored, and lacquered. the damascus shows up great!:

What would you estimate turn-around time to be? I have a couple of projects out now and the thought of chasing a third isn't all that palatable at the moment. I know good things take time but a rough estimate would be useful. And thank you for your offer...

Estimated time currently would be 12-14months. The first gun would take the longest. Plans are to over-order parts and build more guns than are ordered to lessen wait times and even possibly get to the point where I could have inventory. Immediate delivery on a bespoke quality gun would be a beautiful thing!

Sounds like a great deal for anyone who is willing to give up a few component choices to save a lot of cash.

Would it not be better to take the price of the stock blank out of the budget and let customers supply the wood? Just thinking out loud on that one.

Terry

Its possible if the customer persists.

My initial reasoning for not offering that was because in past dealings I've found not all people are educated in how to pick a suitable blank. Then it takes extra time to educate and sift through all the options the customer presents to find what I think is the best blank they like. Takes time which isn't a bad thing when you're dealing in a higher priced custom, I consider it part of the experience. In the case of a lower cost gun, time matters more.

Its also avoids the people wanting maple, koa, etc... Just some things I wont do.

Like mentioned above I would like to get an inventory of parts and guns. Once I got my own inventory of blanks the customer could choose from blanks I have on hand.

from what I have read on this site it appears that after many incidents people are weary of financing gunmakers to build up their inventories.

Damn these things are ugly. You should send them to me so I can bury them in my back yard. Best do it quick!

What's the address?

I wish I could afford that rifle right now.

At least I can still work, most of the Vets I see at the VA are on their last breath.

My grandfather on dads side sounds like he is on his last breathe, but smoking can do that. Guy still gets around just fine and tests his car tires grip daily. On a good note his VA has sped up a bit recently.

Aaron,

Where did you get your buchsenmacher training? Colorado School of Trades? Trinidad? Lassen? Ferlach?

I learned the basics at CST. I went against the grain and constantly bothered the one teacher that did this type of work. He taught me a bit as did my time with Bailey Bradshaw.

I have since started a 2nd career post military retirement. I'll probably retire from this in about 10 years and head to Ferlach for a couple years.

Not interested in building guns for people, just myself.

I went ahead and ordered two actions which will be used as advertising pieces. When they get here I will draw up a barrel profile and order the barrels.

I've had this Turkish blank for a few months, plans are to use it on one of them.