Posts Tagged ‘Gun Engraving’

Why Did I Choose Gun Stock Carving?

I have been asked many time why I chose to carve or engrave gun stocks? Instead of carving eggs, gourds, engrave on glass, etc. Well, my husband is an avid hunter. He loves guns and has aquired quite a collection. We usually go to the gun shows that are in the Salt Lake valley. One time, as we where getting out of our truck, he said to me: “Its your turn to buy something. What do you want? What kind of gun do you want to buy?” I told him, “I didn’t know.” I would look for something while where in the gun show. When we entered the gun show, I heard the wine of a dental drill. At least that is what I thought I heard. We went to that booth to see what it was. Sure enough it was a high speed pen that used dental bits. Called the Paragrave. I was allowed to try the tool. I  immediately fell in love with it. We wondered around the show for about another two hours. Came back to that same booth and purchased the tool.

Since that time I have tried my hand at engraving rocks, tile, eggs, glass, mirrors, metal and everything else I could get my hands on. In February 2009, I went to my first carving class with Dr. Lew Jensen, inventor of the Paragrave high speed pen. Again, we carved all kinds of differnet materials. Out of them all I have found I enjoy carving or sculpting wood. It is the medium I have found gives me the more enjoyment and the most challengs. Read the rest of this entry »

What Animal Would You Like Me To Carve Next?

I am asking this question of my readers. What animal would you like to see me carve next? I have custom carved, or engraved, many animals on different gun stocks over the year. I have enjoyed carving each and every one. Some of them are more challenging then others. Still, I get a tremendous satisfaction from completing each carving or engraving I do. Now, I am wondering if there is a certain animal you would like to see carved? To date I have carved elk, moose, mule deer, a mountain lion, grizzly bear, and mountain goats to mention a few.

There are lots more animals out there to be carved. Which one should it be? Help me decide by commenting below. You will be the one making this decision for me this time. So hurry and leave your choice below in the comment section. I will be adding the basket weave and something else to the forend and/or grip of the gun.

Here are a few ideas. Please do not limit your decision on just these pictures. Antelope, Black Bear, Big Horn Sheep to name a few.

I will keep a tally of requests. The highest number will decide the next carving. The decision date will be August 15th. I will post the results here on my blog. The gun will be for sell and on display at the Cross Roads of the West Gun Show in Salt Lake City, Utah, this coming September 25 & 26, 2010. I’m sure this gun will make any gun collector proud. Will that person be you?

Thanks for participating in this decision! Deb L

Update – Custom Carved Winchester 7mm MAG Gun Stock

I thought everyone would like to see what has happened so far on the custom carving process of the Winchester 7mm MAG. As you know after choosing the pattern to be carved on the gun stock. I will then mold the carving into clay. This gives me the depth and helps me to know how many layers there will be in the carving. I can also play with the clay and redesign the pattern if it does not work out or makes the carving to deep.

After molding the design in clay, I will then carve a sample of the design. This helps me to get a very good prospective as to how it will look on the gun stock. It also helps me to see where the design may need to be changed. I also have found on some samples the subject will have to be placed in a different area. I have carved up to 12 samples of a carving before I am happy with the design.

When I am satisfied with the sample carving I will then carve the gun stock. I will have more pictures of this gun as it progresses. Check back often to see the progress. Thanks for visiting my web site. Deb Lindsay

Winchester .30-30 Model 94 Gunstock Before and After!!!

In June of this year, I posted some before pictures of this gun. After working for over a month on this gun. It is finally finished. Each side of this gun has been carved. On the front of the gun was a medallion of a stage coach. I did not remove this. Instead I carved two trees, representing two people who have intertwined their together. I also put their names with the date their lives became one. On the reverse I put a picture of a memory the gun owner had of their past life together. You see… Pauly contracted cancer and passed away several years ago. This gun was hers, but John wanted something to remember their time together. This is the result.

Each side has been custom carved and then hand painted. I didn’t know it at the time I painted the gun., but the colors I chose are the colors of the horses each of them road. I guess there was some kind of influence there. When I John received his gun last night he stated, “This gun means a great deal to me. I will never let it leave my hands. Thank you so much.”

What Is Relief Carving?

It has come to my attention I have never explained what relief carving is or the different types. So, I thought I would do my best to explain this to you. Here goes…

There are actually several types of carvings. The type of carving I use is called full relief carving. This means I have a smooth piece of wood, like a gun stock, that I carve part of the wood away. The end result is the place where the picture is and there is no part of the original gun stock left in the area of the picture. In other words, the front side of a picture in 3D. There is 2D carving, or semi relief carving, which is a carving you would get if you left part of the original wood in the picture. You usually will see this from carving which has been completed by a laser. You do not get much shaping, (deminsion) to your picture/carving. There is also full round carving. This would be when you take a block of wood (say 4 inch by 4 inch) and carve the entire animal or object out of the wood. Like carving the complete elk, legs and all. Like the status of animals, etc. Here are a few of examples.

(Full Relief Carving)

As you can see this gun stock of a moose. I have used the full relief carving method to carve this gun stock. There is nothing left of the original gun stock in the picture. There is, however, the original gunstock outside the design.

(Semi Relief Carving)

Yet on the wood carving of the horses head, (shown above), there is still part of the original plate left in the main picture design. This is knows as semi relief carving.

(Full Round Carving) – ( This carving is a Craig Hone original)

With full round carving, (shown in the picture above) there is nothing left of the original outside portion of wood. The difference is you have all sides carved with the full round carving, only one half of a carving is left with the full relieve carving method, and with the semi relief method you still have part of the original wood in the picture.

After I have carved my design, I sand the project. Then I hand paint each carving. To me this helps to define the carving even more and it helps to bring the carving to life.

I hope this helps you to understand the types of carvings as well as just how unique each type of carving is. If you have any questions about this or have a question about something I have talked about on one of my posts. Please feel free to ask me in the comments below. I would be happy to explain it to you. If I don’t know something I will find out for you and let you know.

Thanks for stopping by. I appreciate your comments and feed back. Have a wonderful summer! Deb L

What Can We Give Our Eagle Scout?

I was approached by parents of an Eagle Scout recipient. Their son has worked so hard to achieve his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout. Now with the awards night looming close. His parents have asked if I would do something special for their son. They brought me a Heritage Rough Rider .22 caliber pistol with faux pearl handles. After some major thought. I was able to come up with this idea for him. As you can see I have custom carved the barrel of the gun to acknowledge his award, along with his name. Then, on the other side, I have placed his parents sentiments. I am sure this award will be displayed proudly for all to see during his life time. He will be able to hand it down to his children. Inspiring his children to set their goals high and work for them.

Congratulation’s Dathan! We are all very proud of you!

History of the Rough Rider .22 Combo Pistol

Here is a little history I have found about this gun. Read the rest of this entry »

How Can I Protect My Gun Stock?

When I started carving gun stocks. My husband was very eager to show my carvings to everyone that came to our home. Even now, he will continually get the guns out of the gun safe to show people. After having to repair several nicks and scratches in the guns. I decided I needed to find some way to protect my guns without wrapping them up in blankets. Gun manufactures and dealers will tell you not to store your guns in the carrying case. The guns will sweat causing rust in the barrel and action. So, I had to find a way to protect then and still allow the guns to breath. One day the idea came to me to use old knee high athletic socks. So, I dug out my husbands old knee high socks. I slipped them on the butts of each gun in our safe. My theory was, with both guns having socks on. If one gun hit the other gun. The socks would act at a cushion. Thus protecting both gun stocks as well as the carving.

I have used this technique for about six months now. The socks have protect the butt of the guns beautifully! The socks only go up to the bolt or scope mounts of the gun. This allows the barrel and action to be open to the air preventing rust. Normally, you a hold by the barrel or forend while putting in the safe/gun cabinet. You usually only will bang the stocks of the guns together while taking the gun in and out. By putting a sock over the butt of the gun stock. The sock covered gun will bump up against the other sock covered gun. A cushion has been formed between the guns, preventing nicks and scratches. Unless you really hit the other gun stocks quite hard. There should be no damage.

IT REALLY WORKS!!!

I hope this is as helpful to you as it  has been to me. Please remember to sign up for my email notifications. By doing so, you will receive an email from me when ever I add a post to my web site. You can unsubscribe at any time. Also, your comments are greatly appreciated. Please feel free to leave yours below. Thanks again for visiting my web site. I look forward to hearing from you. Deb Lindsay

Custom Gunstock Carving Blog

I have been asked to add a sign up button to my blog. This would allow you to receive an email from me regarding any new custom gunstock carving project is added to my web site. The sign up button has been added. Please feel free to sign up. There has been several web site I have signed up for in the past. It is very nice to receive an email from them when ever there is something new going on.

Also, you can leave your comments below. I enjoy receiving your comments to see how everyone likes my work. I enjoy getting to know people. I’m looking forward to meeting many of you at the upcoming Cross Roads of the West Gun Show in Salt Lake City, UT. The event will be held at the Southtown Expo center on September 25 & 26, 2010. Sure hope to see you all there. Happy Carving! Deb Lindsay

 Winchester .30-30 Model 1894 High Grade

(click on images to expand pictures)

As promised, here is the second in the series of Winchester .30-30 Model 94 collectors edition. They are sure beautiful!

Winchester Model 1894 High Grade

The Winchester Model 1894 High Grade also honors and commemorates the 200th anniversary of Oliver Fisher Winchester’s birth in New England in 1810 — a most fitting way to remember a gentleman with the genius and vision to see product potential in firearm development. This model is deeply embellished with delicate scroll work, with Oliver F. Winchester’s signature in gold on top of the bolt. The left side of the receiver bears an early Winchester Repeating Arms crest. On the right side are the words, “Two Hundred Years, Oliver F. Winchester,” and the dates, “1810 — 2010.” The fancy Grade II/III walnut stock is enhanced with a high gloss finish and is delicately checkered, complementing the fine embellishments on the silver nitride receiver. This model is also chambered in the timeless 30-30 Win. caliber, with a deeply blued half-round, half octagon barrel. A buckhorn rear sight is fitted with a Marble’s® gold bead front sight. The demand for this model will be great. 500 will be sold as a set with the Custom Grade. The remaining limited quantities will be sold individually.

Item # Caliber   Barrel Length Overall Length Length of Pull Drop at Comb Drop at Heel Nom. Weight MSRP     534164114 30-30 Win.    24″   42″   13 1/4″   2 7/8″   3 5/8″   8 lbs.   $1,469.00

 Gunstock Carving and Repair

How many of us have gone hunting and in the excitement of the hunt  have dropped or banged your gun? Or maybe something has scratched your gun? Well, I can help! The first two pictures you see above are of my husband’s gun. This gun looked like it had been left out in the weather for years. As you can see the gun looks like a completely different gun now. The third picture is of a gun that had several deep scratches. As you can see there are no scratches now.

I can help you with your gun too. By carving a pattern on the gun breaths new life into your gunstock, and adds value. I do not work on the barrels (bluing them, etc.). Most scratches can be repaired like the guns listed above. Looking at the before and after picture, you would think it was a completely different gun. My husband was actually gonig to sell his gun becasue of its condition. Now, however, you can’t get him to part with it. There are other guns on my web site that have been repaired as well.

If you have a gun you would like repaired. Please contact me. Also, for your information, there are many guns listed on my web site that are for sale. If you find one you would like to purchase. Contact me via email. I will be glad to help you with the purchase and shippment. Your comments are greatly appreciated. Please feel free to list them below. I look forward to working with you. Deb