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Hot Topic (More than 10 Replies) Niedner buttplate? (Read 6326 times)
uscra112
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Niedner buttplate?
Mar 9th, 2019 at 5:19pm
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Just this week I took delivery of an 1898 Krag, converted to fire the .22 Lovell R2.  (So it's a single shot, even though it has a bolt. Forgive me. I'm obsessed with Lovells. Therapy hasn't helped.)   

Then I opened my Journal.  The buttplate on this rifle looks awfully like the Niedner buttplate depicted in Joseph's article.  I have removed it, and it turns out to be a slightly hollow steel stamping.  Does that comport with a real Niedner buttplate?  

Trying to get some pictures, but the light inside is too poor, and outside on the porch is not much better.  And it's starting to rain.  The ones in the gunbroker listing aren't too bad.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

???

Phil
« Last Edit: Mar 9th, 2019 at 5:55pm by uscra112 »  

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Bent_Ramrod
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #1 - Mar 9th, 2019 at 5:49pm
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You can buy Neidner buttplates from Brownell’s, and I’ve found them at gun shows also.  They are a hollow stamping (but very well done) with fine checkering and that exasperating little point on top that looks so great when properly inletted, and is the first thing to catch your eye when not done right.

In the absence of Neidner Rifle Co. markings, it isn’t likely a Neidner, but with that buttplate, it is at least a serious effort at gun building on someone’s part.

I have a Neidner buttplate on the stock I fitted to my FBW .25-35.  Gives the rifle that touch of  “pizazz.”
  
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uscra112
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #2 - Mar 9th, 2019 at 6:03pm
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I'm in agreement now.  Have split the stock and metal, and found nothing hidden.  If the buttplates could be had as a part, that's conclusive.  It IS a mighty fine piece of woodwork, though.  At $450 plus shipping and FFL fee, I'm still a happy camper.   

Thanks!

  

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oneatatime
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #3 - Mar 9th, 2019 at 6:09pm
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I couldn't make out the Niedner peak in the photos. I have a Niedner style on my CPA and one with a trapdoor on my deer rifle.
  
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Redsetter
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #4 - Mar 9th, 2019 at 6:29pm
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uscra112 wrote on Mar 9th, 2019 at 5:19pm:
Does that comport with a real Niedner buttplate?  


Phil


What IS a real Niedner buttplate?  Did he at some time have them made to his specs & market them himself?  Or did he communicate his ideas on the design to some rifle accessories maker who handled distribution?   

There a plate that looks like a Niedner in the '32 Stoegers, but it's just called a steel plate.  Wouldn't be surprised it was imported from Germany, the source of many of their guns & other products.

The plate used on pre-64 Model 70s is virtually the same.
  
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uscra112
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #5 - Mar 9th, 2019 at 6:33pm
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oneatatime wrote on Mar 9th, 2019 at 6:09pm:
I couldn't make out the Niedner peak in the photos. I have a Niedner style on my CPA and one with a trapdoor on my deer rifle.


It doesn't have the peak.  Redsetter may be on to something.

  

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marlinguy
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #6 - Mar 9th, 2019 at 7:22pm
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Niedner style buttplate.

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There are several people making copies of Niedner's buttplate today. But back in the day it was a style Niedner used often, but not sure if he made them, or had them made for him. He did stamp his rollstamp on them.
  

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rgchristensen
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #7 - Mar 9th, 2019 at 8:55pm
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    I agree that there are "Niedner buttplates" and "Niedner-Style Buttplates".   None of the old M70 buttplates approximate it, but they are a useful style for older rifles, and I have several in the drawer.  AAR, the Niedner style plates are really elegant and functional on fine sporters.  I have one on my favorite sporting rifle.

CHRIS
RGChristensen
  
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Chuckster
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #8 - Mar 9th, 2019 at 10:23pm
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Just finished a stock using a CPA Niedner buttplate.
Just a little too narrow at the toe for my taste.
Prefer the Model 70 type used on other rifles which is slightly fuller at the toe.
Both have the widow's peak. Both nice and work well. Just a matter of taste.
Chuck
  
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scharfe
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #9 - Mar 10th, 2019 at 10:36am
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From an old Michael Petrov article:


The Niedner buttplate thats still in use today by custom makers was made originally by welding a cap on both ends of a length of Shelby tubing. This length of tubing was then set up between centers in a lathe and its entire length was knurled. The next step was to cut it into sections big enough for a buttplate. These sections were then hammered into a form with a lead hammer. Two holes were drilled for stock screws, then a safe file was used to smooth out a border around the edge of the plate. Once the buttplates were finished they were case hardened. If they showed color they were left alone, if not they were blued.
  
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Redsetter
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #10 - Mar 10th, 2019 at 10:59am
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scharfe wrote on Mar 10th, 2019 at 10:36am:
From an old Michael Petrov article:


The Niedner buttplate thats still in use today by custom makers was made originally by welding a cap on both ends of a length of Shelby tubing. This length of tubing was then set up between centers in a lathe and its entire length was knurled. The next step was to cut it into sections big enough for a buttplate. These sections were then hammered into a form with a lead hammer. Two holes were drilled for stock screws, then a safe file was used to smooth out a border around the edge of the plate. Once the buttplates were finished they were case hardened. If they showed color they were left alone, if not they were blued.


Wheu!  Seems like a lot of work for something that probably didn't retail for more than a few dollars. Could the steel be shaped on a form without heating it?  Did Petrov say or imply that Niedner himself was doing this work, or had he farmed it out?
  
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #11 - Mar 10th, 2019 at 11:42am
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Sharfe,
Thanks for posting that tidbit of information, I read some of those processes the ODG's used, and occasionally I have to try them- I'm going to let this one slip by  Grin Grin

Phil, 
I think the therapy is working! You own it now don't you? And you feel better because of it? I have another one showing up tomorrow due to help from my support group  Smiley what's yours look like Rodney?
Greg
  

"To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk"  T. A. Edison
"The trouble ain't that there is too many fools, but that the lightning ain't distributed right" M.T.
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marlinguy
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #12 - Mar 10th, 2019 at 11:50am
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scharfe,
Thanks for the quote from Michael Petrov! His knowledge of Niedner was probably about as good as it gets, and the description of how his buttplates were made is very interesting to read!
  

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uscra112
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #13 - Mar 10th, 2019 at 2:36pm
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Once you have the die, you could make the plates for pennies in tryout press. Especially if you dispense with the widow's peak. I'm 99% sure the one I just came into possession of was made that way.
  

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Redsetter
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Re: Niedner buttplate?
Reply #14 - Mar 10th, 2019 at 3:33pm
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uscra112 wrote on Mar 10th, 2019 at 2:36pm:
Once you have the die, you could make the plates for pennies in tryout press.


But if you had that kind of press in your shop, would you be beating on the metal with a lead hammer, as described above?  In fact, that description strikes me as the way a prototype might be worked up; which, when you were satisfied with the design, you'd hand over to a factory with stamping presses. 
  
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