I don't know from inletting, but that repair job is pretty amazing.

Nice rifle, too. Funny how the combs aren't fluted or even relieved very much on this one or the other unknown maker rifle. Was that "the style" then?

Great photography, BTW. Thanks for sharing these with us.

I was unclear, I meant the inletting job on the repair where I kept the ends square. The vertical lines call attention to the repair so I thought maybe a rounded end would have been better.
I don't know who the maker was but I tried to keep his original finish intact so I only refinished around the repairs.

"Funny how the combs aren't fluted or even relieved very much on this one or the other unknown maker rifle. Was that "the style" then?"

Not really, more likely not as experienced or artistic as the makers we have seen before.

Speaking of combs check out the one on this rifle. Built circa 1911 by the biggest arms maker in the world, Mauser. Pictures from the Mauser factory courtesy Jon Speed.

Fred Surkamer, Chicago, IL is not in the book, however I did an article on him in the March, 2005 issue of Precision Shooting. Notice the new made bolt housing incorporating a sight with the safety moved to the triggerguard.

The weather is looking up and I need to spend time with my Schuetzen rifles, bicycle and lawn mower. This was fun and I hope you all enjoyed the pictures, next time I’ll try to do some with Mauser actions as used by custom gunmakers. I would like to hear from anyone who may have a pre-war custom sporting rifle that they need information on or would just like to share it, please write me at mjpetrov@acsalaska.net.

Many thanks, Michael-

These old rifles are an inspiration... many, I believe, much more attractive than what's being built today.

Don't know why, but I just love the style of the stocks.

Anyway, please do....

Continue, when you can, with Mausers.

flaco

Michael, that last Chicago rifle is one of the very best of the bunch. What a stick of walnut!

I am surprised to say this, but I'm not crazy about the Mauser. Not very inspired. Yet it is unique, and wouldn't it be amazing if one could only track it down?

Many thanks.

Michael,

Thank you for this GREAT thread.
That Chicago rifle sure is beautiful!!Right after WW II ended my Step Dad had several rilfes built by Rk Nelson, near DuBois, PA. Rk was an avid benchrest shooter of that era. My Step Dad's barrels were made by Buhmiller.
Hope to see more of the fine rifles you have posted on a future thread.
Hire a kid to mow the grass.. Go to the range and shoot!!!! LOL

Don

Michael.

Thanks for the great thread and the fantastic pictures. That was some impressive work on the Chicago rifle, I've seen patches like that before. Did you inlet the metal piece deeper or just do away with it completely and use a rod to join the two pieces? Either way, it turned out a really nice job. That is some close fitting.

While I'm not a fan of the Springfields and just happen to believe the most beautiful rifles are those being built by today's artisians, It cannot pass without comment that there's more beautiful work and creativity in the photos of this thread than I've seen in a very long time.....superb gun building.

It's always a pleasure to follow these threads!

MP-

Do you have any pics showing the safety in detail? Does it block the trigger or sear?

MR,
I don’t see a lot of what we call fancy wood from this time period, many of the rifles, even from the big firms like G&H and Hoffman have very plain wood by today’s standards.

I believe that Oberndorf was occupied by the French after WWII so if the rifle was still at Mauser it’s most likely now in France.


Don,
Very few people in the world can say this but the couple that normally mow my grass are out whaling.


Daleatkins,
I removed the plate and used metal pins and lots of epoxy then I filled the hole with a wooden plug cut to fit it. This was also epoxyed in, same with the toe repair.

Vapodog,
There are scores of fine guns being made today by craftsmen turning out splendid rifles. Custom gunmaking is my art and as such it’s very subjective. I love the warm glow of what 75-100 years does to the finish of the wood. I believe that preserving the history of these early makers provides a road map for the current and future generations of makers. Much of the early encouragement that I received from my research and writing was from current custom gunmakers.

Marc,
I’ll look and see if I have a picture of the safety, it blocks the trigger only unlike the bolt sleeve sights of Howe-Whelen and Niedner

PETROV! ALWAYS PETROV!!!! Open up a thread on Springfields and it's that guy from Alaska, again!!!!
Thanks for taking the time to compose and post the color pics, Michael. They are SO much better than the b/w in PS! The new book MUST have color pics and lots of them! I may be the only guy who 'sweated out' the long winter, but the color pics fanned my appreciation that much more for the classics.
For those who don't own the current book, you are missing something neat, especially if you like custom rifles. Plus, its a bargain if you skip the .05 signature charge!
Happy shooting!
KN

Bring on the Mausers!!!!!!

quote:

Originally posted by A10ACN:Plus, its a bargain if you skip the .05 signature charge!

I paid the .05 signature surcharge.
And, for another $29.95 I got the book.
I'm half way through it....
Lots of Dowagiac, Michigan in the book, all good.

Don

Paul Jaeger after Sedgley and before Jenkintown, very few Philadelphia marked Jaeger rifles have surfaced over the years. This has a Jaeger finely made single-set trigger and an early Jaeger side-mount base. I am trying to locate a mount, notice the teeth and notch on the end. This is the same mount offered by Stoeger so they might be found marked Jaeger or Stoeger. I believe that they came from his father’s shop in Suhl, Germany.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc_Stokeld:
MP- Do you have any pics showing the safety in detail? Does it block the trigger or sear?

Weather not good for shooting so working on the computer, found a picture of the safety, not a good pic but should give you an idea of how it works.

MP-

That pic is plenty good enough. I really thank you for taking time to dig it up.

Let me put a plug in for Michael's book. I just started it , but have found it a fun read so far.

A.O. Nieder built guns for 60 cents an hour. I miss the good ole day's (just a joke, don't kill me)

Terry

Unfortunately, many of us today wind up with jobs that literally put that much in our pockets. Seriously.

At least back then 60 cents would buy something!!!

We were discussing G&H side mounts on another forum and I posted these pictures, thought you might like them as well. This is an early, before barrel numbering G&H. It was sent back and had the scope mounted on it at G&H. I got this rifle from the original family over twenty-five years ago complete with the ammo and the leather scope holster.

Michael,

Great acquisition!!!
Another beautiful rifle; I love those older Springfields.
My Step Dad had the G&H side mounts on an old Springfield he had. Memories...
What scope is on the rifle?
Thanks for posting the pictures.

Don

The scope is a Zeiss Zielklein of 2.25 power, it was one of the most popular pre-war scopes. Notice that the mount has a windage adjustment at the rear, there is no windage adjustment in the scope. About 1938 Zeiss introduced this scope with a windage adjustment but they are seldom seen.

As promised I would like to do a few Mauser rifles. Should I start a new thread or just keep adding to this one? Would it help if I changed the heading a little to include Mausers? MP

Anyhow you like suits me.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Petrov:
As promised I would like to do a few Mauser rifles. Should I start a new thread or just keep adding to this one? Would it help if I changed the heading a little to include Mausers? MP

I like the new thread idea. This one is GREAT, but it's getting a little long.

YMMV,

Don

I have nothing particularily intelligent to say - I just wanted to keep this forum towards the front - along side the Mauser one - so I could admire both the photography and the rifles.
Where can I order a book?

In the spirit of keeping this thread near the top, I want to say that I bought Michael's book directly from him. His address in Anchorage is listed in a post above in this thread. For a nickel more, he'll autograph it for you. $30 for the whole shot, book and autograph.

Don

Yer, but does he take a mastercard No. from a PM for overseas?

quote:

Originally posted by JAL:
Yer, but does he take a mastercard No. from a PM for overseas?

Sorry I'm not set up for credit cards. However if you Google the title there are many places such as Amazon and others that do take plastic and carry my book. MP

Ta, I'll have a look later. With Will's book I had to ring his local gunshop. Strange people, they were still in yesterday.

Mr Petrov-

That is *the ultimate* Krag sporter.
For weeks I've been combing the web for an image of a proper Krag sporting rifle, and this is it.

Do you (or anyone here) know if there's a semi-done stock blank out there that gets close to that overall shape?
If I build myself a bolt rifle it will be a Krag, and it will look like that.

What a honey!



--Tinker

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Petrov:



Griffin & Howe Krag

You can view the other side of this Krag at,

http://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=...t=all&gonew=1#UNREAD

Thank you Mr Petrov

Since I responded to this thread, I've done some deeper searching on the web - there's little photodocumentation of proper Brit sporter rifles based on the Krag action.

I got on the phone with Great American Gunstock this morning and learned that they have a very similar 'good start' pattern for the Krag.
Lead time is supposed to be in the 2-3 week neighborhood and price inder $200 for a semi-inletted and relatively shaped stock blank.

I might turn in that direction some time this winter if I end up finding what I need to complete the Krag action that I have up in the studio.


Thanks for the link.



Cheers
Tinker

Idared,

I saw the Fisher custom Krag a few years back, although I didn't know who owned it. It was certainly the finest Krag that I've ever seen.

Great rifles guys.

Tom

Thanks for the eye candy and education! Always a pleasure when you post such things.

Jeff