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Well, let me start by saying that I'd love to see a picture or two, as I have a soft spot for sporterized military bolt guns.
As for the gun, the name is not familiar. A quick Google search didn't turn up anything, neither did a quick look in Michael Petrov's book (he was the recognized expert on post war sporters before he passed a few years ago).
It is built on a high number Rock Island receiver. A long slide Lyman 48 is a good high quality component, which would indicate a quality build, although most the high end sporters I'm familiar with didn't use the Lyman front sight. Some other things to look at would be the buttplate, the grip cap, the sling swivels, the checkering, and the general stock shape. They may indicate a separate stock market, as was common in some shops. One smith did the metal work, another stocked the gun.
Well thank you very much for taking the time to look into my question. I might just replace the pad , it is the only thing that distracts from the gun, I agree. The history of it always escaped me , due to the fact my Father died in 1958 and at that time I was only 12 ,so didn't really get into guns or ever got to asking him about it. And I have searched for the name on the barrel H.T. Harvey but to no avail. Again I thank you for the info. Mike SwankWell, first off, it's beautiful. It's a pretty distinguishable style. The front band looks like it's off an NRA spotter or custom made at least. Honestly, I can't tell if it's a remodeled stock or completely custom. Beautiful cheek piece dates it pretty well. The crossbolt reinforcement makes me think military stock, but there's a lot of wood for that. Either way, unique and nicely made.
Like I said, high number rock island, in nice shape. The barrel profile wasn't turned down, as the locating spline grooves for the rear sight collar are still present. The bluing looks like it had been redone at some point. Either way, it's beautiful.
In terms of value, it's likely worth more to you than it will ever be on the open market. Most of the value probably comes from the long slide Lyman 48 sight. It's a fairly rare bird. I would probably value it around $600 plus. Either way, it's a beautiful rifle. Unique, but not a style stock I am overly familiar with.
If I were you, I would probably replace the recoil pad with a new red pad. You can use either a pachmyr decelerator or a silvers red pad. It would make it look a little better and make it way more comfortable to shoot.
THANKS MIKEYou're welcome Mike. The silvers pads are nice, but I've never fit one. I have fit the red pachmayr pads and they look nice as well. I attached a photo from the Krag rifle I'm currently working on. The pad is solid, not vented, but still looks nice.
If you CAREFULLY remove the action from the stock, there may be a signature in the I letting somewhere or possibly under the recoil pad (if it's original). There is an excellent group of collectors at the doublegunshop forums. They have a single barrel sporting rifle section that is frequented by a lot of collectors smarter than me. That would be my next step if I were you. Hope that all helps. Hold on to that gun for dear life. You can never replace family heirlooms.
It's not letting me load the photo, but I will later.
There are several realities that are influencing the decline in that style. First, the demand simply isn't there. Generations before mine (I'm 36) grew up knowing nothing but blued rifles with walnut stocks. They shot them growing up, shot them in the military. It was what they were exposed to, so it's what companies made.
The shift from rural to urban centers of population means kids are less exposed to guns early in life. Beyond making kids less likely to value the 2nd Amendment, it also makes it likely that their exposure to guns will be video games, police, and the military (if they go that route). Not much blued steel and walnut.
There is more science than art compared to older guns. Solid walnut used to be the best medium to rest the action in. Beyond looking nice, it performed the job well. And bluing was the best at keeping corrosion at bay (actually, parkerizing was better, but I suppose there was a small nod to aesthetics). Times have changed. Synthetic stocks, including fiberglass, Kevlar, and molded plastic, are cheaper to manufacture and are more environmentally stable for the casual gun owner. Likewise, new coatings, such as cerakote are more effective at keeping rust away.
Some of the artists have sadly died off, many without an apprentice who picked up their talent. Seems like every week we see another old time gunsmith/gun builder dying off. A few weeks ago, it was Al Beisen. The newer generation are less interested in the art and more in the science, and they focus their considerable talents accordingly.
There is also a lack of suitable wood. I think these days, most of the best blanks go to custom gun makers. The trees these days are grown faster and have less density and wider growth rings. We don't have the original growth forests any more to harvest from. There is still some great wood, but it's harder to find.
Hopefully there are enough young gunsmiths coming up that appreciate wood and steel. I hope that the old guns are appreciated enough to be kept safe and be kept in circulation. And I hope new gunmakers come along to replace the Lindens, Beisens, Neidners, etc.
There are several realities that are influencing the decline in that style. First, the demand simply isn't there. Generations before mine (I'm 36) grew up knowing nothing but blued rifles with walnut stocks. They shot them growing up, shot them in the military. It was what they were exposed to, so it's what companies made.
The shift from rural to urban centers of population means kids are less exposed to guns early in life. Beyond making kids less likely to value the 2nd Amendment, it also makes it likely that their exposure to guns will be video games, police, and the military (if they go that route). Not much blued steel and walnut.
There is more science than art compared to older guns. Solid walnut used to be the best medium to rest the action in. Beyond looking nice, it performed the job well. And bluing was the best at keeping corrosion at bay (actually, parkerizing was better, but I suppose there was a small nod to aesthetics). Times have changed. Synthetic stocks, including fiberglass, Kevlar, and molded plastic, are cheaper to manufacture and are more environmentally stable for the casual gun owner. Likewise, new coatings, such as cerakote are more effective at keeping rust away.
Some of the artists have sadly died off, many without an apprentice who picked up their talent. Seems like every week we see another old time gunsmith/gun builder dying off. A few weeks ago, it was Al Beisen. The newer generation are less interested in the art and more in the science, and they focus their considerable talents accordingly.
There is also a lack of suitable wood. I think these days, most of the best blanks go to custom gun makers. The trees these days are grown faster and have less density and wider growth rings. We don't have the original growth forests any more to harvest from. There is still some great wood, but it's harder to find.
Hopefully there are enough young gunsmiths coming up that appreciate wood and steel. I hope that the old guns are appreciated enough to be kept safe and be kept in circulation. And I hope new gunmakers come along to replace the Lindens, Beisens, Neidners, etc.
THE BEST KIND and there is dam few of us left !!!!Yeah, I might go wipe down the 1903, the 1903, the 1903, the 1903, the 03a3, the 03a3, the 1917 Enfield, the 1898 Krag, or one of the dozen plus Mausers. I have a sickness.
Thanks Andy, glad I found this site, cause it seems like its filled with Real people, and God there is not many left . mikeI can't really add anything here that hasn't already been covered.
I can say that you have a beautiful rifle Swanky.
And that I agree you might want to replace the butt pad , I like the Pachmayr "Old English" style in brown or red.
Andy