Anyone know of "The Custom Shop" run by Andy W. I do not know the last name, but it is of Polish or Russian extraction. Supposed to be able to do Winchester style matting on barrels. In the Eastern or Middle US.

Andy does have an original winchester rib-matting machine and as i understand it, he does solid work on winchesters (21's in paritucular.)

here's his website...

http://www.andyscustomshop.net/

Mark, Andy matted the top flat of the octagon on Terry's custom '73. Rifle barrel steel is much harder thab rib material and it wasn't as deeply cut, but came out fantastic!
The ribs he does are just like the originals, very nice. I have a sample he sent on the bench.
SDH
I beleive its Wojtowycz = Voit-a-vitch?

Thanks gents just the info I needed.

That's great information! I need someone to matte the top of a ribbed rifle barrel.

Thanks for the new info. I have a Superposed that been begging to have it's rib re-matted. Andy's work looks to be just terrific.

I just got a nice email from our friend Les Brooks. Perhaps I should let him speak for himself but he tells me he used to roll on mattes with a large round file, one small roll at a time. Each successive roll had to be placed just right.

I've done the rolled file thing too, but it isn't in the same league with a what Andy does. Maybe Les has a better technique.
File cut is another type but requires the appropriate file, deft hand-eye coordination and a bunch of time. I haven't tried that yet, afraid of screwing it up.
As I said, rifle barrel steel is much more difficult because it is harder and I wonder about working up to the ends 1/4 ribs, sight bases and the like.
Punch matting can be very effective, that's what Ralf does.
SDH

Mr. Hughes, the most beautifully embellished rib I have ever seen is the one on your 30/40 Highwall, pictured on p.129 of your book, engraved by John Madole, I believe.

As far as I know Andy is no longer in business and his machine is owned by the Gun Works of Central New York. You can Google in on the internet and e-mail Gary Donovan. He is a nice guy to work with. I have bought several things from him. They can do the origininal matting.

Now that is a nice treatment to the rib. I had not noticed that before. Who did the engraving?

I should read and not just look at the pictures....wonderful engraving.