About
My selection of single blanks, all grades and colour of walnut…
My workspace, based just outside Oswestry, Shropshire, has been described as a ‘Geppetto’s workshop’… Tools, lathes, and beautiful pieces of wood adorn every space and wall. At any given time, there can be as many as 60 walnut blanks of various grades, ready to be transformed into bespoke gun stocks.
Working on antique guns and modern trap guns, my work covers anything from renovations and refinishing, to bending stocks and fitting recoil pads. No job is too small either. Want a worn stock or forend re-oiled and checkering? Think a nick or chip can’t be fixed? Have an antique or well-loved gun that you want restored to its former glory? I take a huge amount pride in being able to return your gun back to you looking like new. Plus, you’ll be kept up to speed with the progression of the project with regular pictures and updates.
Speaking of regular updates – it’s worth following my Facebook page to see lots of details of projects I’m currently working on! You can find more details about my services and prices below…
Interested in having one of your guns worked on? Get in touch today! Call me on 07979 606175
Services
Renovation
After a number of years of use, a gun stock will likely become bruised and dented. The finish will wear dull and the checkering become smooth. All of these imperfections can be restored to their original finish. The dents can be steamed out, the finish stripped and re-oiled and checkering sharpened and made crisp once more.
Repair
Breaking a gun stock may not be the disaster it seems… I have repaired guns that other people wouldn’t attempt – and with excellent results. Any cracks or breaks are first assessed, then a quote given for the work proposed. If I evaluate that a repair can be carried out to a satisfactory standard and it should unfortunately fail (which to date has never happened), my promise is to subtract the repair cost against the cost of making a new stock (subject to the new stock being made by myself).
I also assess and compile insurance quotations for damages and claims. Please check to see that your gun is covered on your house insurance.
Gun Fitting
Buying a gun, whether new or second hand, is like purchasing a suit off the peg. In other words, buying one that fits you perfectly is rare. I am proud to provide a made-to-measure service. If you’re not happy with your gun fit, I can measure you using one of my two try-guns (side by side or over and under). I can then make alterations to your gun using those measurements to lengthen, shorten, or alter the cast or drop using heat lamps and oil.
Bespoke Stocks Made to Measure
Brand new stocks made using measurements taken from either your own gun (that fits you correctly), or by using one of my try guns for gun fit.
A Grade 1 piece of Walnut is included in the total price with additional costs for a higher grade. I carry approximately 60 blanks of English Walnut ranging from Grade 1 to 6 for the customer to choose from.
Whilst making the new stock the forend will be re-finished and re-checkered and a colour match made.
Price Guide
Bending Alterations: Over & Under - from £110
Cast £110
Drop £110
Both ways / cast and drop £140
Bending Alterations: Side by Side - from £90
Cast £90
Drop £90
Both ways / cast and drop £120
Fit recoil pad - £40
Pad not included in price
Shorten stock and refit recoil pad - £70
Your stock adjusted and made to fit perfectly
Re-checkering: stock and forend - from £140
Over and under £160
Side by side £140
An additional charge will be incurred with checkering finer than 24 lines per inch
Stock extension - £140
Using Walnut ground in and finished, including checkering to butt or recoil pad fitted
Refinishing using Linseed oil - Stock and Forend - £170
Strip off old finish, raise dents or fill where necessary, sand down going finer with each stage. Raising the grain with water and drying between each sand until reaching a perfectly smooth stock. Over several days the stock is then coated with Linseed oil, hand rubbed smooth each time.
Some new guns have a spray lacquer finish – this will require extra time to strip which will incur an additional charge of £30.
Stocks Made to Measure - from £1,800
Average side by side box lock £1,800
Side plated over and under with tear drops £2,400
Whilst any of the above work is carried out, the following can also be organised through my contacts in the gun trade: a clean and service to springs and firing pins, barrel blueing, etc. Get in touch to find out more!
Registered Firearms Dealer #3061