I was going to post this a few days back, and after seeing Lee's gorgeous 338, I thought I might as well.

Here's the link:

http://www.hallowellco.com/johnston%20gervais.htm

Brad

And all for less than $5,000...

Ed, I didn't post this to raise a price comparison/war... thing is, the Miller will probably hold its value and possibly appreciate a bit... Miller rifles are, apparently, about the only custom rifles that do that.

Regardless, these are all things of beauty crafted to make the owner happy (and give the craftsman a living)... though a rifle caliban myself (a stainless and fiberglass man), I'm all for it!

Brad

Brad,
I would bet that Michael Gervais did that stock. He is a young stockmaker out of Utah and is very gifted. Unfortunately a few years ago he wasnt making a living at the trade and went and found a regular 8 to 5 job.

He did awesome work.

Now that is a rifle.

I was not trying to stir anything up. I just see many high quality used custom rifles for what I consider very good prices. Much less than having one built if you can find a used one that meets your desires. I always browse that Hollowell site and dream. I am still kicking myself for passing on a really nice R.G. Owen 257 Roberts last year that was priced very well. Oh well...

Chic, I was really "taken" with this rifle... I think the wood/layout/execution is gorgeous. Yes, Mike Gervais did the stock. Wish you'd post some pics of some of your favorite work... I'd like to see one of those 257 Roberts!

Ed, I was certain you weren't starting a "war"... I just wanted to show respect to Lee... he got a bit-o-crap on his thread that was entirely un-called-for! I also hesitated to start this thread as I didn't want to detract from his thread... still, if looking at one beautiful rifle is good, looking at two is better!

I agree, second-hand custom rifles can often be bought for 25-50% of their original cost. If you take time and look, you may find something you might have commissioned yourself. I look through Hallowell's stuff ocasionaly too... heck, the shop is just over the hill from here and I've never made the trip!

Brad

[This message has been edited by Brad (edited 04-01-2002).]

Brad, I will try to find some photos to post. My favorite photos are of other peoples work and not mine. I know where the skeletons are in the closets on mine. Have always been that way and I imagine I always will be.

Mike probably did the best detail work of any of the Guild members when he was there. I had told him that on a number of occasions. His checkering was as good as is seen nowadays.

Speaking of checkering, I was looking at the rifles in the Berretta (sp?} exhibit. They had an $8,000 shotgun and the checkering was flawless. Everything was pointed up just as it should be. Could not find a flaw. On a $35,000 rifle the checkering stunk. You could see major flaws from all the way across the room. One line of checkering actually disappeared part way up the grip, to be replaced by a nice big row of diamonds twice as wide as they should be. And this was easily fixable. Amazing at that price. I have to restrain myself from getting one of the dunderheads there and ask if that was an extra cost option. Sorry for the tyrade.

I saw a rifle at SCI that was stocked by Darwin Hensley and the execution was fantastic. It was a normal classic style hunting rifle in 375 H&H. The wood was a great piece of English in the $1200 range (blank) and it was on a Steyr action. He charges $5,000 for his stockwork at this time and that was the price for this rifle. Wish I could have justified it.

Chic

[This message has been edited by Customstox (edited 04-02-2002).]

Chic-
Several months ago I looked through the Beretta shotguns at the Beretta Gallery in NYC. I too was struck by the inconsistency of the checkering and inletting. On some $5000 - $15,000 shotguns the checkering on one might be flawless and the next might look like it was a trial run the first day of checkering school. The salesman in the gunroom sheepishly agreed but said I would be surprised how few customers even notice.

What really surprises me is that someone at Beretta must have inspected and decided upon which guns would go to the SCI show, and still such aesthetically defective merchandise made the cut.

Brad,
I appreciate the courtesy, but I am a realist. I expected to be hit by a few people, but that is the price you pay when you post something in a public forum.It is all up to interpretation..There will always be someone that trys to lick the red off your candy, but I have learned not to worry about the small stuff. I could have just put the rifle in the safe, and no one would have been the wiser, but I enjoy seeing what other people get, and hope the same for mine. There are many fine custom gunmakers out there, and quite a few deals on very fine rifles. I enjoy seeing creations from all sides of custom gun making. A person cannot make a personal choice if he has not seen other examples to see what he likes..

Lee, I appreciate your thoughts. It goes without saying that if a guy has made enough money to be able to afford a Miller he likely has a tough hide as last I'd heard the green-stuff isn't growing on trees (except in D.C.)... thanks for sharing your rifle with us. I hope to hear some good hunting stories surrounding you and that rifle next fall!

BTW, I'm a die-hard 338 Win fan... if you're a handloader, let us know what "secrets" you find... H4350 and a 225 grainer is a good place to start.

Brad

Chic... your modesty is an endearing quality which I don't expect you'll loose... I just want to see a few more of your rifles, LOL!

I know what you mean about "the skeletons"... sort of like building your own home... you're always seeing the little imperfections others don't see instead of taking in "the whole"...

Brad

My rifles are fiberglassed stainless barrel working rifles. But there is nothing more beautiful than deep blue steel and english walnut. Lee's great grand kids will look at that rifle 50 yrs from now and say grand dad had style. I only hope he spends an additional 10k and goes up to Ruidoso and kills a B&C Mescalero Elk with it.

Saludos...Frank

That was some impressive stock work on that rifle..This guy is very talented for sure and its a shame he has to get an 8 to 5 job, but I suspect its the smartest move he will ever make....Nice rifle indeed..

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

I'll keep ya'll posted...

[This message has been edited by LeeC (edited 04-03-2002).]

That is a nice looking rifle to say the least. The stock is a (correct me if I'm wrong) a British style with the short forend and barrel band swivel?
Who does the barrel contour and is there a term for the contour? I saw a rifle built by J.E. Bridges that was a 7mm that had a similar contour.
I like the "English" styling with barrel band swivel etc.

All that good work and NO IRON SIGHTS, blasphemous they should be gil flirted and string haltered....yankee carpet baggers...

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com