Does anyone have a recommendation for someone who can make some rings for the cape gun below? It's a J.P. Sauer 16 gauge 70mm x 7X57R. I think I'll put a VX-R 1.25-4x illuminated scopes on it and go shoot a leopard someday. .... or more likely, a hog, a turkey and a whitetail.

I got a quote of $1000 from someone who I trust to do the work, but who really doesn't enjoy making claw mounts... someone told me he had a set of Redfield rings milled for his claw mounts???? Any suggestions for quality work at a bit less price than $1K?

Try New England Custom Guns, they have a gunsmith there who does Claw Mounts.

JJ at Champlins. Advertised start @ $400

Ernest,

I'm having new claws put on my 9.3 X 62, but to simplify things the smith here in Paris recommended I change the bases so that current bases and rings from Recknagel will work together with "not much" gunsmithing. The bases on mine are circa 1935 and none of the rings with claws made today would be a drop-in fit.

I'll bet a telephone conversation with either NECG or Champlins would clear up the options.

Yep. This is a circa 1935 Sauer and that may be a problem. I've already sent emails to Champlins and NECG. I was hoping that someone here had experience making them or modifying something?

quote:

Originally posted by Zephyr:
Try New England Custom Guns, they have a gunsmith there who does Claw Mounts.

Call and speak to Mark Cromwell, this is the only place I would go for claws. The parts used will be of German origin I believe.

A few years back, Mark at NECG replaced a ring for me on a post-war claw mount. Very nice work.

As stated above, if your bases are pre-war it would be best to have them replaced as well.

I have made rings to fit original claw bases, in fact Tommy Bish's article in Home Gunsmithing Digest will show you his method. It worked (my method, not his, grin) but the split rings didn't look original.

I would make another set for myself if I needed them, but not for anyone else since it's simply too time-consuming and the result still looks too modern for many owners. As others have advised, IMO you should go with the Euro claws as installed by an expert.
Regards, Joe