Bob,

A great rifle deserves great wood, and you certainly have a better idea of the degree of the imperfection since we can only see photographs.  I’m just really looking forward to seeing the final project!

It is off topic, but would you mind sharing photographs of your other builds.  I’ remember the Sharps rifle/pistol, but it would be neat to see all of your creations again.

First 2 are a Remington #7 Rolling block from one of Rodneys casting sets.

Third picture is the River Rifle.  Built around a Ballard pulled from a river in the 1990".

Last two are the Sharps Pistol Rifle you referred to.
Bob

First picture is Tony Maddox's Ballard that I restock because of the damage done to it by someone cutting off the bottom of the stock and buttplate.

Pictures 2 and 3 are a Miniature Fraser Rook rifle from Rodneys castings.

Last 2 are of a Stevens 44 1/2 completely hand made just like the Sharps Pistol Rifle and the Hepburn being built in this thread.   

Many guns shown in these picture show as still being worked on.  Most are now completely done.  Those not complete, a couple of them, are waiting for things like sights, but they are being used with a scope at this time, metal case hardening, barrel bluing, checkering or engraving.  Most of the delays are because I get on a large project, such as this Hepburn, and I just ignore them.

I addition to these larger projects I help others build guns and have many smaller restoration jobs I do between or during these builds.  As an example, I just finished a Winchester Model 12 that had lost, it was missing not just loose, the duck bill rib extension on the frame.  I bought it cheap because the guy that owned it could not find anyone to repair it, including Simmons, the rib company.  The guy that owned it really didn't think I could fix it, but then ended up buying it back from me when I did, because he had really like the gun.
Bob

Those are some beautiful rifles that exemplify your craftsmanship.  Drool…

Superb work. I'm jealous.
Flatlander

jhm wrote on Jul 2^nd, 2025 at 10:22pm:


I see you finally are able to post on the doublegun site and have asked this question.  I believe I had mentioned Steve Bertram who is a member here but, it seems I saw where he may be cutting back.  But he still might suggest someone.  Dennis Smith, The Stock Doctor, who was suggested over there is a good choice but I know he is busy.  None of this work is cheap.  Since I do my own stock work, I don’t look for anyone doing this, but it must getting tougher to find anyone doing it because I get asked a lot about it.  With the amount of work it takes to do even modest work, I will only do a gun that’s really interesting or unusual.  

Most anything I do, I do just to see if I can do it!

Even though I would not do this work, vintage SXS are always of interest to me and I alway like seeing pictures of them.  Post them here or send them to me if you like.  My email is in my profile.   

Bob