Hi All, I have a Thomas Shelhamer stock made for a Magnum Mauser 98 action. I am thinking of selling it and am wondering what the value would be. The only negatives it has going for it are a possible short length of pull (with a standard Mauser 98 it would be 13.5" with 1" pad installed installed. Don't know how the trigger placement differs on a Magnum action. An there is a repair job with would added where a Lyman 48 sight was added. Thanks for any information that can be provided in advance! Chris

Stock Photo Album

this is only a subjective opinion - not worth what it takes to buy a cup of coffee:

Another negative may be that it does not have a cheekpiece. People who own a true Oberndorf magnum mauser action may want to put a much nicer piece of wood on it. That is a very old style of checkering. And the new barrel must fit, which may be difficult.

quote:

Another negative may be that it does not have a cheekpiece.

How many british classic rifles do have one ?

IMO this stock is very good startting point to build very nice classic style rifle, for example in 300 or 375 H&H

The stock has a good drop to facilitate fast target acquisition using open sights which were the main stay of that era. If someone wanted to build a rifle strictly for that purpose with no optics. They would give you the most value. I don't think the stock can be bent straight enough to make a difference. Also the character of the wood is nice but not exceptional. This stock would work well in the north east woods in dense cover in a classic caliber such as the .35 Whelen. It is close to a field grade model built by exceptional hands with talent. $350-600.

Wish Michael Petrov was still with us...he would have an answer for sure...RIP.

Back in 2007 when I obtained this stock I sent those pictures too Michael Petrov (RIP.) and from the pictures he said it was a real deal Shelhamer and that I should build a rifle utilizing a Lyman48. I intended too make a .404 Jefferey on it someday. Last year I talked with and showed it to a gunsmith/collector at a gunshow this stock and he also confirmed it is a real deal Shelhammer could tell as I walked up by the checkering.He however pointed out too me it was for a magnum Mauser action. I feel I will not be able to afford a magnum Mauser action and would like to see if someone could put it to good use.

What does the barrel channel look like? That could have a significant bearing on the price. A channel too small can always be enlarged, but there is little to be done with one too large, and still maintain the character of the stock. I have a .404 on a Magnum Mauser action in a stock by an unidentified maker. I could possible be interested.

If you would please provide two measurements. These will tell us what it fits since magnum Mauser could mean different things. It could be a lengthened standard Mauser action, or it could be a true magnum like those made by Brevex.

What is the spacing between the guard/action screws?

What is the width of the inletting for the front receiver ring?

Have you tried to put a standard Mauser action in it? If so, how did it fit?

Thanks,

Jeremy

Would like to see top and bottom inletting, and how is it on dents and dings. May be interested.

Thanks for mentioning the Monte Daune. Monte (Whom while I was a student at Lassen College my stock making instructor James Tucker turned me onto as the greatest alumni-st of Lassen.) was the person I showed it too at at the gun show. He said no doubt it was definitely a Shelhamer. Also Micheal Petrov confirmed the barrel channel stamping was correct.

Dimensions are:

Ring Diameter: 1.400"
Distance between holes: ~7.825"
Overall length:~9.125"
Barrel Contour:

For the first 1.125" ahead of receiver ring = 1.200"
Then tapering to roughly 1.000" 1.750" ahead of receiver ring
Then appears to be a straight tapper to ~0.730" at 8.25" in front of receiver ring

Checkering appears to be 22 or 24 lines per inch (thread gauges and checkering gauge packed away.)

It appears tp be definitely a Oberndorf Magnum action according to the dimensions out of Kuhnhausen Mauser shop manual.

There are no chips are major damage to the wood except for one little blemish in the checkering on the bottom of the forend just ahead of the trigger guard



There are more pictures at this link:

More Photos

Yes, I had a standard 98 comercical FN in it and it is too short, The screw holes aligned and front receiver ring fit nicely. Also, the barrel on this Mauser was pretty light weight contour and it appears that the original barrel was not a large contour.

There appears to be a repair with replacement wood just in front of the bolt handle notch.

Yes it was originally made with a Lyman 48 sight. Some where in it's history someone got rid of it and did the repair you see.

Yes Duane I agree. I really don not see breaking up a gun stocked by one of the great stock makers. I have to admit When I got the stock I really had no clue who Thomas Shelhamer was. I have been educated by the Late Micheal Petrovs writings, etc.....

Is there a cutout for a side safety?

Also, are there any cracks in the webbing? One picture shows either cracks or scratches in the forard webbing.

Jim Thanks for pointing out the cutout for the side safety. If you look closely it appear some one did go in and machine out the wood for a side safety trigger. It sure does look like Mr. Shell hammer did that as it is does not match the rest of the in letting how do you say style.

The appears to be no cracks in the rear webbing. Up front by the hinge cut out there may be a small crack or it could be grain coloring but it does not appear to do through to the trigger guard screw hole.

To much has happened to this stock over the years. Shame the metal work wasn't still with the piece... might make an interesting lamp.

I don't think a lamp. It will probably go up on the wall next too the Jerry Fisher posters in my workshop.

Srtrax

As you expressed some interest in it, what would you have valued it at if it would have been in excellent and original condition (mark still stamped on the butt end).

According to Micheal Petrov's writing about Mr. Shelhamer in his first volume of " Custom Gunmakers of the 20th Century ". Mr. Shelhamer marked his stocks either on the buttplate or in in the barrel channel with his grandfathers T. Shelhammer stamp. As seen in the pictures it has the T. Shelhamer stamping in the barrel channel.

I reread my response and it came out a little stronger than I meant for it too, Sorry. My thinking was to maybe redo the metal work back to what was period back when this stock was first completed. Rethinking this it would be a nice rifle but wouldn't bring any more value to it, just more work.

Siam_Krag, this stock would be fitting for display and a neat conversation piece with the Jerry Fisher posters.

Shelhamer

Having done a similar restoration in the past where key metal components were missing, sourced then fit to the wood, I would never do one again.

Good results are possible it just takes lots of determination. Check out the .404J in the classifieds to see how my project came out.
Steve Bertram

I just found this. Who says that's a Shelhamer stock? I've seen a lot of old Tom's guns and owned quite a few. That's not even close to any one I've seen.

Is it stamped?

I agree with Mr Wesbrook on this one.

Would the "D" Model Mauser action be a fit.

I had a new one in the box, and sold it to a member here.

Rich