Posts Tagged ‘Gun Stock Engraving’

How I custom carved a Winchester 7mm MAG gun stock?

While camping over the 4th of July weekend. I was able to play with my clay and develop yet another pattern for a really cool gun. The gun is a Winchester 7mm REM mag, model 70. After hearing the story behind the purchase of this gun and the time it took for the owner to purchase it. I know this gun will remain in his possession for the rest of his life and then be passed on to his children. Definately a family heirloom!

I have been itching to carve this picture for a long time now. I just hadn’t found the right gun for the picture. This old calendar photo of two bull elk fighting, intregues me. Finally, I get to carve this pattern on someone’s gun stock. I have come up with my own design using the picture as an inspiration. I believe this carving will go very well on this gun. The owner loves to hunt, especially elk. For this reason I have chosen this design.

After working the pattern in clay to determine the layers and depth of the carving. I will then carve the pattern on a sample piece of wood. Sometimes this process will take several sample carvings before I am satisfied with the end result. When the design has been carved to my satisfaction, as well as the design tweeked just right. Then, and only then, will I carve the pattern onto the gun stock. After completing the carving, the sanding process will begin. Hand painting the artwork is the final step, using oil paints and very small brushes (usually the brushes only have a few hairs in each brush). This bring the scene to life. 

Check back here often for pictures I will be posting of this gun as I complete this project. This will give you an even better idea of how I create the art for each gun and the process I use to carve it.

Your comments are greatly appreciated. Please leave your thoughts below. I look forward to hearing from you. Deb L

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

When Was My Gun Manufactured?

How can I tell when my gun was manufactured? Have you ever wondered how you can find out? Or would you like to prove to someone your gun is older then theirs? Well, I have come across a web site that can help you determin the age of your guns. It does not list all makes of guns. But it does have the top manufactures with all of their models of guns.

The gun shown above, is a Winchester Model 94 .25-35cal. After using the web site listed above, we where able to determin this gun was manufactured in 1950. It is a very handy tool to have expecially if you are a gun collector or just a gun enthusist. Gun collectors can use this web site to help determin the value of their guns. Not to mention how interesting it if for someone to look up the age of a family heirloom. Here is the web site address: http://www.oldguns.net . You will have to scroll down part way to find the “Manufacture Dates.” Then just click on the manufacture you want, choose the model of the gun and enter your serial number. It really is that easy.

It is very interesting to be able to give this kind of information to a client.  After I have carved the gunstock with the design the client has asked for. I do my best to give them as much information about their gun as I can. This web site has been very helpful in acquiring some of this information. I hope this is helpful to you as well.

Thank you for stopping by. I have added a sign up button for you to receive an email from me when ever I add another blog to my web site. If you are interested, please feel free to sign up on the subscribers list. Also, please feel free to add your comments below. I enjoy receiving your feed back on my web site. Thanks for stopping by. Deb Lindasy

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

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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

Model 1894 Custom Grade

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As promised, the Winchester Model 1894 Custom Grade Rifle. This gun is returning for the 200th year celebration of Oliver Fisher Winchester’s birth.

Winchester Model 1894 Custom Grade Rifle

What better way to welcome back the timeless Winchester® Model 1894 than with a tribute to Oliver Fisher Winchester. The Model 1894 began at the workbench of John M. Browning, being the first sporting rifle to use smokeless powder. It has been said that the Model 1894 has taken more deer than any other rifle in the world, and with over six million sold, has become by far, the most popular rifle in history. This rifle will have an exquisite 24″ half-round, half octagon deeply blued barrel. A buckhorn rear sight is matched with a Marble’s® gold bead front sight. The Custom Grade model has Grade IV/V walnut with a rich, high gloss finish to enhance the beautiful wood grain. Deep scroll engraving covers both sides of the blued receiver. Extreme polish, precision fitting and finishes adorn this breathtaking rifle commemorating the 200th anniversary of Oliver F. Winchester’s birth. An early Winchester Repeating Arms crest graces the left side of the receiver, with the right side bearing the words, “Two Hundred Years, Oliver F. Winchester,” and the dates, “1810 — 2010,” in gold. The barrel is deeply polished, with the signature of Oliver F. Winchester in gold on the top of the bolt. The Custom Grade Model 1894 is very limited. Only 500 Custom Grade rifles in sets with the High Grade will be offered.

Item # Caliber   Barrel Length Overall Length Length of Pull Drop at Comb Drop at Heel Nom. Weight MSRP     534165114 30-30 Win.    24″   42″   13 1/4″   2 7/8″   3 5/8″   8 lbs.   $1,959.00

Three beautifuly unique gunstock carvings

Three of my most favorite gunstocks carvings. I thought you might like another look at what I consider my favorite ones. Each is as unique as the wood itself. Each gun has its own personality, yet beautiful in its own right. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have carving them. Carving has become a real passion for me. From laying awake at night dreaming up the next project to finished design. Every part is very intriguing to me. My family tells me I’m obsessed with carving. Well, when you enjoy something, such as I enjoy carving gun stocks.  It is very easy to zone out and become obsessed with it. I hope you like the finished product as much as I do. 

By the way, I wasn’t aware there was a problem with my blog. Until I was informed the sign up button was not working. I have contacted my web tech to get it fixed. Now you can enjoy all my gunstock carving and be notified when every I post a new article or item to my blog. Just sign up to receive an email from me. I will be sending out an email giving everyone a link to the latest article or item I have posted. Just go to the bottom this blog and enter your email address. Its as simple as that. Also, please be assured I do not sell, trade or otherwise give your information away. Your email address is completely secure and will never be compromised.

I look forward to your comments. Please feel free to leave them below. Thanks and have a GREAT day! Deb Lindsay