montea6b

By the way, Fritz with your German heritage you may want to check out the German aviation definitions on the same page.

That's good stuff! Check out the following link. About a third of the way down there is a more realistic version of the in-flight safety cards they have in the seat backs. I think it would be fun to print a few, laminate them, and leave them behind the next time you fly! http://www.dauntless-soft.com/PRODUCTS/Freebies/Humor/

Sailormilan2, that link you posted is to your hard drive! I am neither a computer hacker nor a serial killer...

That's pretty much what I figured, but what confused me is that post #8 from you which demands a retraction is marked "guest" although you signed your name at the bottom. Then post #9 from "mauserhouser" opens with the line "I won't make a full retraction! I do understand that the way the breech end of the barrel was done is a gunsmithing opinion but, the contour, that cost me near $100 or have done was my main problem with your work!" Was the first paragraph of post #9 a quote from a personal email and the second paragraph your response? If so, it certainly wasn't clear reading it the first time around. No worries about standing up for your good name, I'd do the same thing if I was sullied in public. Too bad all this dirty laundry had to be aired here when it seems like a personal phone call could have cleared it all up. I've noticed the instigator hasn't chimed in for a spell now.

Ditto, take it outside boys. By the way, is anybody but me confused as to who's who? "Mauserhouser" seems to have made at least two posts from different sides of the argument. Then there's at least one by "guest" who appears to be the same person. Although I've not been on this forum for nearly as long as others I don't recognize either of the handles of the guys duking it out here. Come on, register and log-on if you are going to play.

Not my glass of warm Budweiser. However, just for some perspective, if "butterknife" bolt handles were not associated with pre-war Oberndorf sporters, how many here would foul a keyboard with bile if a forum member posted a photo of a "new idea" he had come up with for just such a handle? As classy as the butterknife handles are I personally have no affection for them.

I almost sprayed a mouthful of coffee on the screen when I read that! Thanks for the humor Ty.

I hope I'm not talking down to anybody here, but just in case there are those who may not realize it, runways are always numbered by their magnetic heading. In other words, runway 180R would have a mag heading of 180 degrees, or due south. (They drop the last digit, so it would actually be 18R.) So, landing east or westbound on RW 18 would make it an extremely short, yet wide runway! This factoid adds to the humor. OK, blast me for stating the obvious, but I didn't know that for a long time...

Beautiful rifle! I seem to vaguely recall your original "variation on a concept" post, and I'd have to say that you nailed it. Very classy. A question: You referred to tung oil finish vice tung oil varnish. What brand did you use? I probably should have researched this a bit more, but I ended up using Formby's low gloss tung oil. (not sure if it's "finish" or varnish) Anyhow, it sure ended up more "varnishy" than expected. And glossier as well. I have used Watco Danish oil on furniture and other projects before and was expecting similar results. This was my first time using tung oil, and I only did so because it seems to be the universally accepted finish for a fine custom stock. Maybe I should have thinned it more. It's OK, but I could be happier. Finally... "She groups". Come on Flaco, we are numbers guys! Give us a tangible quantity, please! Or better yet, a photo of a 3 shot group covered by a dime!

DT, I admire your do-it-yourself attitude. Seeing "Selsun Blue" really cracked me up! Are you sure you're not having a little fun with that one?!

Weld the muzzle... why pray tell, so it doesn't fire?!!! Sounds like a chickensh*t operation that doesn't know squat about guns. I'd like to see if that's actually stated in his policy or if he's making it up. I find it hard to believe people that are that ignorant. I'm with the others, find a real gunsmith or somebody else to do the work.

Yep, plenty of cosmo. Still some inside... I tried acetone and whiting, scrubbed with mineral spirits and toothbrush, even wrapped in old T-shirts and steamed it in a stovepipe rigged over a camping coffee pot. I thought I had it pretty well cleaned up, but when I put it out in the sun for the photo it leached a little more. It was a rare 80+ degree day. I wish I had had a few more days like that before I finished it, I might have gotten even more out. It wasn't bad though, just a little seepage along a seam in the grain. Wiped clean and no ill effects. The finish is "pre-64 Winchester red oil finish" from the Winchester restoration website. It was recommended by a member of this forum and the results are very nice and close to original. From what I know of originals that is. My other 1903 is caked with filth and may get the same treatment.

I needed everything but the barreled action. Most of the parts came from eBay! The rifle came to me from my Father-in-law who had put it in a sporter stock years ago, but thankfully there were no other alterations made. I'm not sure when the peep sight was put on. I know some match rifles were outfitted with them, but not sure if this one is original or not. I've shot it in the sporter stock, but haven't tried in the new configuration yet.

Well, it's been awhile coming but I finally assembled all the parts and now I have a complete 1903 National Match rifle. It could be better, but I'm happy that the old girl is dressed up in her original outfit once again. Now I feel even less remorse about stripping down a Mauser for sporterization... at least I'm keeping the ratio even! (Not the greatest picture.)

You're on the right track, keep it up 'cause that's how you get better!

Jason, I applaud your efforts as I have often thought about doing a similiar mannlicher style treatment of a milsurp. Recently on another thread I posted a side by side photo I took of a Mauser stock next to a slender, open gripped shotgun stock with a rounded pistolgrip cap area in which I noted the similarities. Z followed with a photo of some beautiful old sporters. I think this look has a classic old world sporter style to it that would be very suitable for an open sighted rifle, and the Mauser military stock is not far removed from the end result. All that appears necessary is to remove all the stuff that doesn't look like a classicly shaped stock! I like what your have done so far in the profile view. It needs a little more refinement to make the lines flow better, but it shows developing potential. That being said, unless the top view doesn't give a true perspective, I'd say that you removed way too much wood. The grip just looks way too narrow in the photo. Now, I'll be the first to say do whatever you want to your own personal stock, and if it fits your hand nicely then so much the better, but if it's frank constructive criticism you're after I'd have to say that the proportions look completely off. Remember what has been said about Mr. Rasp?! If this is a practice piece, I'd say continue shaping the flutes and blending the lines in an aesthetically pleasing manner just for the experience. You may still end up with something servicible, but I honestly think you went too far. Just my humble opinion for what it's worth...

Sniper, I was begining to wonder what you were up to. Good to hear from you, and glad that your handiwork is appreciated. So, have you been messing around with engraving over there in WestPac?

Congrats! Keep us up to speed on developments...

Magnificent!

Aah, beer! Life is too short for cheap tasteless beer. I like Sierra Nevada pale, I'll have to try the porter. Got a "beers of the world" sixpack from my sister in law this weekend for my birthday. Monty's mountain cream ale is ready for the party pig. Can't wait to taste. Secret: Budwieser is actually Guiness, filtered through the kidneys.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. The subject was stocks. Has anybody ever ordered from Dakota Cliff? He has some nice looking wood for decent prices. I like the idea of seeing the wood before you order.