I was just reading the ACGG brochure for ACGG #23, which is the Hagn/Martini/Rabeno .300 Win. Mag. Rifle.

The brochure states that Mr. Hagn checkered the stock in a classic point pattern with mullered borders in English flat topped checkering. This style of checkering is not commonly seen on today's firearms "and is difficult to execute properly".

I am not a checkerer (although I wish I was). But I guess I always thought that pointed checkering was flat top checkering before it became pointed checkering. So for those who checker, I am wondering why flat top checkering would be more difficult to execute properly.

Because all those little flat tops have to be the same size to look proper !! Points usually wear fairly quickly and are not really necessary for a good gripping surface. The only flat top I've made is metal work on front and back straps on pistols .But pistol shooters don't seem to have heard of it !! For a carry gun flat top doesn't abraid clothing yet affords an excellent gripping surface.

The problem comes while laying out the pattern. When doing a standard pattern with pointy diamonds, if a line gets a little funky then you can lean the cutter into it and straighten her out as you deepen the line. As you deepen each line, you can even out the lines and it is looking right.

With the flat top, you can't straighten as you deepen, so you better get it right the first time. Flat ones have to be laid out properly-meaning evenly the first go around-and unequal diamonds jump out at the viewer.

BTW-that's one hell of a rifle, isn't it!

My Hagn was delivered in late July and it has the flat top checkering that Adolf Hagn does so well. It sounds like it might look odd but when you see it in person it looks great. It has a nice feel to it when you hold the rifle, a good solid grip but no abrasion regardless of how much it is shot.

Josh

Here's one. Not sure who built it. Fraser in .22H at Cabelas.

Hey you big tease, show us more pics!!! Is that your rifle?

Marc

Here;'s the link to Cabelas. I really wish I could justify $13K for a .22H.

Fraser .22h

Maybe showing my ignorance but that picture looks like regular checkering to me; I thought flat checkering was more like this example from Track of the Wolf's kit page.

Tiggertate, you are right. I was thinking the same thing and tried to find a good photo of English flat top checkering and gave up. That photos shows it well. It is basically just layout with a narrow angle cutter.

This is a photo of flat top checkering on a 500 Jeffery that Duane Wiebe is building for himself:

Form where I sit, the best thing that has happened to AR since I joined is Mr. Wiebe gracing us with his presence and giving us pics like that. Thank you very much for posting Forrest.

quote:

Form where I sit, the best thing that has happened to AR since I joined is Mr. Wiebe gracing us with his presence and giving us pics like that.

I agree.

I have never seen English flat top checkering. Amazing work........

WE NEED TO SEE THE REST OF THAT RIFLE!

Best Regards,
Dave

Here's some on an early Rigby.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/content/community/gun...sp?hierarchyId=10473

I find it very attractive.

Forrest, does Duane install borders like that (particular the one on the bottom) just to show the rest of us how inadequate we really are? That is incredible work.

quote:

Originally posted by Customstox:
Forrest, does Duane install borders like that (particular the one on the bottom) just to show the rest of us how inadequate we really are? That is incredible work.

Overwhelmed dittos!

I think he only does this quality of work on his personal projects.

I like the border. This is the closest to stock carving that I've seen and still like.

470Evans, that is one terrific looking Rigby in your link.

I mentioned that .500 in another string as an example of really good English chequering. Duane really did a fabulous job on it.

The little Rigby .303 is lovely, even if Rigby didn't build it.
----------------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."