I bought a pre64 70 custom in 257 roberts a while back. The quality is on par with an ACGG guild gun. The only identifing marks on the gun are under the chamber on the bottom of the barrel - 257 RBTS HW 85.

So I assume it was built in 1985 and assume the HW is the initials of the builder. So any guesses as to who the builder may have been.

Sorry I don't have any photos at this time.

Thanks,

RJS

Needle in a haystack
There was a metalsmith around that time, Herman Waldron in Wa. state.

Check out some Gun Digests of that time period.
Any photos available.
Good Luck
Bob

Waldron is my guess, too.

Thanks,

I just found out that the metalwork is Waldron.

I am going to try and find out the stockmaker on it next.

RJS

If you have some pictures, some of the stockmakers are readily identifiable. Waldron was a fairly well known metalsmith whose work was used in some high quality customs. A glance through some of the older Gun Digests will attest to that.

John Amber used Waldron for his custom Model 70 stocked by the late Don Allen. If memory serves, that was Amber's last custom. His eye sight had gone in his right eye, and Don fashioned a "bent stock" for him. Waldron built custom bases that had further offset. He could shoulder the gun perfectly to his right shoulder, but his left eye was perfectly aligned to the scope. Waldron also made a custom sliding release for the floorplate. Rather neat and singular custom....

Pictures and story can be found in the 1980 "Gun Digest Review of Custom Guns". Copies of that book can still be found...

RJS,

Herman Waldron & Gary Goudy worked on quite some projects. The metal work was done by HW also the barrel, the stock by Gary Goudy.

Gary Goudy - Herman Waldron - Exhibition Turkish Circassian Walnut - .375 H&H - Winchester Pre 64 - 1953




Roland

Damn, now that is a nice piece of wood.

Roland1, you beat me to it. Gary and Herman are good friends and Herman did a lot of the metalwork on Gary's guns.

RJS, if you can send me a photo of the rifle I can forward it to Gary to see if he did it or knows who did.

Mine is pretty much a twin to the one in Roland's pictures minus the sights and recoil pin. Same excellent quality throughout.

Well I can see I am going to have to get a new digital camera soon. Chic, when I get pictures I sure will let you know and thanks for the offer.

RJS

The text in this ad for the first FEGA gun (American Masters Series Rifle) says that Herman Waldron was deceased. Not true?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/classifieds/none/_976913936.aspx

RJS,

Herman & Gary are both authorities in the trade; all the work I have seen from them was very good.
Congratulations with your heirloom, I would love to see the pictures.

Roland

Herman is alive and well

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe:
Herman is alive and well

Good news, thank you for letting us know.

Roland