This gun stock is custom carved for the Mule Deer Foundation. It is to be raffled off at the International Sportsman’s Expo this coming 2012, in Salt Lake City. This gun stock was quite fun to create. I found a picture of the deer on an old calendar. After playing with the picture I decided to carve it for the MDF this year.

The gun stock fits a Weatherby rifle. It has been custom carved/sculpted with three mule deer all of different ages. I have also hand painted the scene to bring out even more of the detail. On the bottom of the grip I have inlayed the MDF logo in composite ivory.

The lucky winner will be drawn during the International Sportsman’s Expo. You will have to check the MDF magazine to find out more details regarding this raffle. I’m sure whom ever the lucky winner is will enjoy this gun and will enjoy handing this gun down to their children and their children’s children for generations to come. It is a one of a kind master piece which any gun collector would be more then happy to add to their gun collection. Below is a little history of the Weatherby company.

History

The history of Weatherby® began in the mid-1940s when a young cartridge “wildcatter” named Roy Weatherby set out to change the world of firearm performance. Contrary to then-popular thinking (heavy bullets pushed at slow speeds), Roy believed that lightweight bullets traveling at super high speeds provided the best combination for one-shot kills. Based upon that philosophy, he spent the next decade developing the high-powered Weatherby Magnum cartridges for which the company is known today (.224, .240, .257, .270, 7mm, .300, .30-378, .340, .338-378, .375, .378, .416 and .460).

Throughout that period, Roy was also producing or re-chambering rifles designed specifically to accommodate his super-charged ammunition. At that time, he was producing his rifles on FN Mauser and French Brevex Magnum Mauser actions. However in 1957, Roy would again catch the attention of the shooting and hunting world with a proprietary action that is today recognized around the world as the Mark V®.

The foundation for the Mark V® was the need for a stronger, safer action, able to withstand tremendous pressure, and the possibility of blown primers and ruptured case heads (due to the unpredictability of early handloaded and wildcat cartridges). After nearly a half century of proven performance, the Mark V® continues to be known as the world’s strongest bolt action.

Roy Weatherby examines the results of shooting his magnum cartridges through water–soaked Los Angeles telephone directories.

Roy Weatherby and Roy Rogers after bear hunting with a Mark V.

In 1970, Roy once again showed his entrepreneurial spirit when he introduced the Weatherby® Vanguard® action, borrowing many of the same characteristics and design elements of the Mark V® with two locking lugs (vs. 9 in the Mark V).

The Weatherby® lineage continued in 1983 when Roy’s son, Ed Weatherby, assumed the leadership mantle of the company. Under Ed’s guidance, the company has seen growth and expansion both in Mark V® and Vanguard® offerings, including the new Vanguard® Series 2 rifle, which features guaranteed SUB-MOA accuracy. In addition to rifles, we offer a full line of Semi-Automatic and Pump shotguns, as well as accessories, apparel and collectibles.

The innovation and pacesetting performance associated with the Weatherby® name spans more than 65 years. Yet, while our place in history is firmly established, it is the prospects for the future that shine brightest of all.

I would like to thank the Mule Deer Foundation for the article written about me in the September/October 2011 MDF magazine. It has been my pleasure to custom carve the guns for the MDF fund raisers. I look forward to carving the next gun stock for the MDF. They will be raffling off my next custom carved gun stock this coming February 2012. At the Sportsman’s Expo in Salt Lake City, Ut.

From designing the pattern, to creating the designs. To custom carving/sculpting the gun stock and then hand painting the gun stock to enhance the design. It is such a unique experience to watch it come to life. I know I will never get use to seeing my work take on a life of its own. It is something I will never get tired of. Still, to see the happiness in a customers eyes when I place their custom carved gun stock into their hands. It’s priceless!

I have included a copy of the the full article here for everyone to read.

(Please note, when you click on the image above to view the full article. You can make it even bigger if you click on the “X” in the lower right hand corner of the image.) If you would like to read the full article more clearly, please read the September/October 2011 issue of the Mule Deer Foundations’s magazine.

Thanks again to the MDF for this beautiful article. I look forward to custom carving a design for you! Happy Carving! Deb

This beautiful custom carved Winchester model 70 is my latest creation. I was approached to create this gun stock while I was participating in the WARA Spring Challenge. The CEO of Montana Silver Smiths jewelry asked me to custom carve this gun stock for his wife. Deborah hunts all over the world and as you can see I have even add her favorate saying “I live to hunt”. From North America to South Africa the hunt is on for the avid hunter. Her husband commissioned me to custom carve this gun stock for their anniversary.  I’m sure his wife will proudly display her favorite gun for the entire world to see. Rick has emailed me to tell he “The stock looks fantastic. Exceeds my expectations!

The gun has been custom carved with fighting moose on one side of the gun stock and a caped buffalo on the check rest. The grips and forend have been customized with the basket weave pattern. Then to personalize the gun stock for her, I have added her name to one side and her favorate saying to the other. To complete the design, I have hand painted each scene to bring out the details even more which helps show the carving off. This gives her gun a complete new look.

Every gun collectors will be very envious of this gun. The value has doubled for this gun. Not to mention the gun will be in the family for many generations to come. Thank you for allowing to create this one of a kind work of art for your wife. I hope she enjoys it as much as I have in creating it.

I am writing this blog post to thank everyone who visited with me at my booth during the International Sportsman’s Expo this last weekend, and to all who are interested in my custom carved gun stocks. The Expo was fantastic! As usual! There where thousand of people roaming around seeing all the exhibits and booths. Of course the Mule Deer Foundation and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation was present. I enjoyed visiting with many of the participants at the show as well as seeing all the different booths. It was great hearing what everyone was interested in and what they would like to have on their guns, antlers or on their fireplace mantles.

I would like to take this time to extend an invitation to become a subscribe to my email list. This invitation is for each and every person who visits my web site, came to my booth, or who knows someone who would enjoy my custom carvings. When you subscribe to my email list, you will receive information I post here from time to time. Normally, I will post two to three times a month to my blog. You are under NO obligation to sign up or to stay signed up as a subscribers on my email list. You can end your subscription at anytime. My blog keeps you informed as to the what is new. Not to mention the history of guns, gallery of custom carved guns, and custom carved wood sculptures. There is hand painted gun stocks, basket weave carved onto guns stocks, hand painted art, wood sculpting, guns for the collectors, and guns everyone will want to hand down from generation to generation. As well as other interesting facts I have uncovered throughout the years. I do hope you will consider joining my subscribers email list.

Custom Carved International Sportsman’s Expo. If anyone doesn’t know by now, the International Sportsman’s Expo is going to be held in Salt Lake City, UT at the South Town Expo center. The show will be starting this Thursday, March 17, 2011, at noon. I will have a booth there displaying my custom carved guns and taking orders for YOUR very own custom carved gun stock. Please come and visit me at the expo. I would really enjoy meeting you and discussing the design you would like me to carve on your gun stock.

All of my guns have a custom carved/sculpted scene, (some with the basket weave pattern) and are hand painted. Each gun is a one of a kind work of art. Collectors, nationwide, have begun collecting my guns. Why not have your gun customized with your favorite hunting scene or memory. You will want to hand this gun down from generation to generation. Not to mention the “double” bragging rights you will have. Bragging rights #1 – the actual hunt. Bragging rights #2 – your own custom carved gun stock with your favorite hunting scene.  

I hope everyone will take the opportunity to come and enjoy the International Sportsman’s Expo while the it is going on. The dates are March 17, 18, 19, 20, 2011. Check the web site, International Sportsman’s Expo, for more information on this event.

See you there!!!! Deb – Proudly endorsed by the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF)

This project has taken a while to start, but the finished out come will be worth it. A custom carved gun stock for a Savage model 29. Yes, it is an old gun. I have been asked to carve/engrave a squirrel sitting on the branch of a tree on this gun stock. The pictures above are just a few I have found that I am considering. Which one should I use? Hmmmm Guess you will have to check back later to see which one I used.  The gun stock is smaller then a normal rifle. This might prove to be some what of a challenge. Carving/engraving a smaller gun stock means doing everything smaller than I normally do. Still, the gun stock will be custom carved/engraved and then I will hand paint the art work to bring out the detail. This gun has been handed down from generation to generation. I am sure it will continue to through the family for many more years to come. Well, here I go! I can’t wait to get started!

Pictures will be coming soon of the finished custom carved/engraved gun stock.

Happy Carving! Deb

Last gun of the year for me is the custom carved Greener replica coach gun. After carving/sculpting the W. W. Greener replica stage coach gun last December, I really wanted to do a coach gun for myself. Well, here is it! This stage coach is an abandon stage coach. It symbolizes how we are loosing out past. The history of the Wells Fargo Stage Lines are written in our history book an in the movies. It is sad to see  how these beautiful works of machinery are all but gone now. Thank goodness for Wells Fargo and their willingness to preserve the history and maintain their fleet of stage coaches. At least our children will have the opportunity to visit their museum to learn about them. As well as, being able to see the horses hooked up to these beautiful coaches. Thank you Wells Fargo!

As you can see I have hand carved the stage coach onto this coach gun. I have chosen not to add the basket weave to this gun. I have hand painted the gun stock to bring out even more of the detail. I am adding this gun to my collection of Wells Fargo Commemorative collection. Gun collectors and enthuses alike will appreciate the detail of this gun. This gun and many of my other guns will be on display at the Antique Arms show in Las Vegas this coming January. The show will be January 14 – 16, 2010 at the Riviera Casino in Las Vegas, NV. I look forward to visiting with you there. Happy Holidays to everyone! Deb

At this time of year, I would like to share my custom carved Thanksgiving with you.  I find myself giving thanks for everything in my life. This year is no exception. Thanksgiving for me is a special time to get together with family and friends. Share memories and catch up on what’s going on in each others lives. Then there is also the FOOD!!!! We can’t forget the food or the game on TV! Still, it is a good time to stop and reflect on what has happened on my life over the past year. I have included the link to the original blog post. Just click on the picture and it will take you to the blog post.

I want to tell everyone who viewed or commented on my web site, THANK YOU! My custom carved gun stocks have been a very rewarding part of my life. I’m sure without your support and comments, I would not ventured out to share my carvings with world. Each of you have enriched my life in so many ways. I find myself getting up in the mornings just to run in the office to see who has sent me a comment or an email. I enjoy sharing my custom carved gun stocks with you. From the actual design to the basket weave on to the hand painted art work. I have a hard time wanting to come in the house at night after carving all day in my studio on a new project. I also send my thanks to my family and friends for your encouragement and support. I’m sure I have bugged you with my designs and projects. For these reasons and many, many more I thank you! I hope each and everyone of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Please stay safe while driving. We still have Christmas and New Years to celebrate remember!

I thought I would start something new this year. I am going show all the guns I have completed each year. So bare with me while I list them all for you to view again. Each client I have carved a gun stock for this year can now show them off again. Its your turn to brag on your gun stock carving! Here you can show off your custom carved, hand painted art work I have carved for you.

Each gun has been custom carved or (custom engraving) and hand painted to bring out the detail. There is no two guns alike! All of the guns have gone up in value after being carved. Gun collectors and appraisers will tell you the gun has doubles and even triples in price. Some have grown even more in value. Still, all of the clients I have carved for this year tell me their gun will never leave their hands. They will be handed down through the generations. What a legacy they will leave for their children.

If you are thinking of having a gun custom carved for a friend, client or family member. Contact me soon. I also have gift certificates available. Gift certificates make the best gifts. The person receiving the gift certificate for the custom carving can chose what they would like on their gun stock.

Again, enjoy your Thanksgiving and remember to drive safely. We all want you around for the rest of this Holiday season and the next! Happy Carving Deb L

Just finished, a custom carved Savage 308 rifle. This is a Christmas present for a friends wife. I have carved the Hawaiian flower (Hibiscus) with an Alaskan moose. I have also included the basket weave on the forend and grip of this gun stock. I have added accents to the grip (moose horn) and forend (Hibiscus flower). All of the custom carved art work is hand painted to enhance the detail. If this gun was appraised today it would appraise for $3700.00. Gun collectors would give their eye to have this gun in their collection. I’m sure this gun will be handed down from mother to daughter.

This gun has been discontinued years ago. I have included the history of the Savage arms rifle Model 99F. I hope you enjoy reading about this gun.  

History

The Savage 99 was preceeded by the Savage 1895, which was the first hammerless lever-action rifle produced.

At one point, the Savage 1895 was one of the contending rifle models offered to the U.S. Army when they were looking for a replacement to their Springfield Model 1873 trapdoor rifle. The Krag-Jørgensen was chosen over the Savage and other models.

The hammerless design is a substantial improvement because the time from trigger pull to firing is less. This makes the rifle more accurate, because the rifleman’s muscular tremors have less time to move the rifle off-aim. A hammerless design is also less likely to jam in brush or clothing.

The 1895, as the later model 1899 and early Model 99, used a rotary magazine to hold the cartridges.  The rotating magazine uses a spring-loaded spool with grooves to hold the cartridges. The Savage 1895 took advantage of the spool to include a counter to indicate how many shots are left. The Model 99 continued using this system for many years, until its replacement with a detachable magazine.

The magazine designed allowed the rifle to be one of the first to use Spitzer_(bullet). Previous lever-action rifles used tubular magazines, which placed rounds of ammunition end to end. With spitzer bullets, the tips of the ammunition would touch the primer of the round in front of it, possibly causing an accidental discharge.

During its production history the Savage 99 was chambered at one time or another for .303 Savage, .30-30 WCF, .300 Savage, 25-35 WCF (or 25-35 Win), .250 Savage (also called the .250-3000, as the first commercial round to produce a velocity of over 3000 fps), .22 Hi Power, .22-250 Remington, .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, Winchester ’72′, .358 Winchester, 7mm-08 Remington, .284 Winchester, 38-55 WCF, and .32 Winchester Special among others.

Have we lost our heritage? How many people have given this any thought? I for one have. While custom carving this coach gun shot gun, I began wondering this very thing. With out Wells Fargo Bank to carry on the tradition of using the stagecoachs for their advertising. We would have lost this beautiful image years ago. The old west is fast becoming lost to our modern ways of life.

The picture above is a very rough carving of the pattern to be put on the coach gun.

This is yet another reason I decided to carve the abandoned stage coach on the ICA coach gun. Not only will this custom carved coach gun preserve the memories and the history of the old west. It also adds trememdous value to any gun collector’s personal collection. This gun will be hand carved and hand painted. There will not be enough room for the basket weave pattern to be put on this gun. Is this something that you are looking for on your gun? If so please drop me a line or call me to discuss your options and what you would like on your gun.

Your comments would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to leave them below.