I now have my first rifle built as a project in TSJC 1961 shop class. I didn't remember it being an Obrendorf until now. It is now 52 yrs old an still has the same look as when it was made. Styles have changed so mush in all this time.

Les

How would one know that they had a genuine "Les Brooks" rifle? How did you mark your work down through the years?

I started in 1970 with my name stamp on the barrels. Pre 1970 I tried to stamp (LB 68) as example under the barrel. I would know if I barreled it and the year it is done. This rifle has my name hand stamped on the right side of the barrel. I have lots of snap shots taken from the old days to help me remember these guns.

This action was the safety breach C type and I didn't know much about these actions when it was made. This is the medium length Peruvian 1909 action. I remember that it was different from other '98 actions. I am glad that I took pictures from about 1955 to now.

The V'eed maple forearm tip brings back memories. Pleasant ones imight add.

Just curious, as rifles can and will be rebarreled, and restocked, over the years, if I was a custom rifle maker I would mark the action and stock as well.

I forgot to mention that most were marked in the barrel channel or under the butt pad.

This is the only rifle that I have in a vise and inletting the barrelled action.



Remember that I was learning how to make bolt knobs and weld on with O/A. That was my first try at knurling. Instructor Louie Mrace thought it looked good enough for my rifle.

Fascinating story. How did you come to reacquire it after all these years?

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:
Fascinating story. How did you come to reacquire it after all these years?

I would love to hear that story as well.

I knew where the rifle was kept most of the time. I sold it to my dad to get more money for buying actions and barrels to make more rifles. A brother hunted with the 243 Win for 35 or 40 years. I wanted to get it back in my hands to study how it was inletted. I found that the stock has cracked thru the recoil lug area and will need to be repaired with glass bedding. I own it now and will restore it to the original condition.

I didn't know that the GI bill on school funding had expired in 1961. The two years in school had to be paid by a very poor student. The year after I finished the Govt. passed another GI bill, but it didn't help me. I paid back a Student Loan in 10 years.