Smith for custom stock work?

[Bosshoff]

My brother has a Weatherby Mark V in 7mm Rem Mag. It has a dull black finish, and a plain matte walnut stock. My brother just feels the stock looks like it is missing something. He would love it to look more like a European version with a black ebony tip on the end of the stock. Maybe even a black medallion installed on the end of the grip. Does anyone know of a stock guy who is qualified to do this sort of wood work? No hacks please. I really need someone with master cabinet maker credentials, who is qualified to work on such a beatiful piece of furniture. Thanks.

 

[Scorch]

I do stock work for a living. Specifically, I build stocks for custom rifles that cost the owners thousands of dollars. I will not even consider making a stock for less than $400-$500, and I have about one year's backlog on work. I was trained in woodworking and wood finishing by a master furniture maker, and in gunsmithing by a very fine smith. I put the two skills together myself, along with very good artistic talent. I have had people tell me I am way underpriced for the quality of work I do. But I am not a master cabinetmaker. That said, you will likely not find a master cabinetmaker doing stock work, there is usually a lot more money to be made making cabinets.

Your ebony forend cap/grip cap project should not cost you very much to have done, about $150-$200, or have the whole stock refinished at the same time in a satin or glossy finish for a little more. Talk to your local smith about a stockmaker close to you, or you can PM me if you want to discuss it.

 

[James K]

It is wise to entrust that work to a specialist stockmaker. Scorch is the exception in having both metal and wood working skills, but he IS the exception. Most gunsmiths are not stockmakers, though some try to be, usually with results that are (shall we say) less than good.

But Scorch also recognizes the value of good work; believe me, someone who works cheap usually turns out work that looks cheap.

Jim