Building the Gunsmithing Library: Part 2, Stock Working

Following the original publishing of the previously discussed Gunsmithing classics by authors such as Howe and Baker (American Gunsmith, October 2009), I think it is likely that some people read these somewhat general books and thought, "I could write a book on just one of the specific topics discussed by these earlier authors." Even before Dunlap could get his book on generalized gunsmithing published, this is just what happened.

Of course it is likely a little thing called World War II and military service delayed Dunlap’s book by a few years! A series of three really important books on woodworking and stock work for the gunsmith were published following the Howe and Baker books. Alvin Linden’s book called Stockmaking was first and very nearly predated World War II. The first printing of Linden’s book was in 1943, the second in 1949, and the third in 1958. Many years later a publisher named J.

Martin, Inc. in Beckley, WV would produce 1,000 limited edition reprints in hard cover. Linden was such a fixture in the american gunsmithing scene his workshop was pictured on the cover of Dunlap’s book and samples of his work were included in the second in this series, Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks by Monty Kennedy. The third book in this working with stocks series is Gunstock Finishing and Care by Donald Newell.

All three books are must haves for anyone wishing to build gunstocks from either raw or semi-finished blanks. Stockmaking is organized in a manner quite different from any other book on gunsmithing. The original book was actually three soft cover pamphlets, each with two full size fold out patterns. Linden slowly moves step by step proceeding in the most minute details on every individual procedure, including the fabrication of a wide variety of shopmade tools needed to complete the work.

Linden discussed exactly how to work a stock from a raw blank. There is no quick summary and glossing over on procedural steps, so the pamphlets are not a quick read. Linden has looked at the various boltaction rifles of his era, including the Model 1903 Springfield, the Model 70 Winchester and the Enfield. He begins the first pamphlet with the layout and inletting of the stock in general, and with specific instruction for the Model 1903 Springfield.

This information covers 38 pages of material along with over 40 sketches and additional illustrations. Linden’s

Above left and Originally published as three separate pamphlets, each contained two of these. comments, even though now decades old, still have much value for those who wish to make their own custom stocks. There is a detailed discussion on the disadvantages of buying semifinished blanks and much explanation of the advantage of complete control on all dimensions when working from a basic blank.

A gunsmith learning to follow Linden’s instruction on layout and initial inletting will have a high level of accomplishment with just the use of simple hand tools and also a better understanding of how power tools might be employed on some tasks, such as sawing and routing. With the completion of the inletting, Linden states the real sweat and hard work remains hidden from view and likely forgotten by the buyer, unless it fails!

While shaping the blank appears difficult, he felt the hardest work has already been done and concealed when the rifle is assembled. In many respects, the meat of Linden’s writing is what he called Book 2, Shaping of the Inletted Blank and Alterations of the Model 70 Winchester. Of course, he is talking about what we now refer to as the pre-64 Model 70 and not more recent production.

Following general comments on inletting bolt-action rifles, thirteen pages of specific information on working with Model 70 stocks is included. This material on the Model 70 rifle alone would justify the purchase of Linden’s book. The third and final pamphlet is entitled Gunstock Finishing and Conversions of the Enfield Rifle. Linden wrote about every finish available at the time and even then there were a bewildering number of choices.

In addition to the advantage and disadvantage of each finish, there are also detailed comments on the methods of finishing to include the fabled London Oil Finish, the use of fillers, and French Polish. The author also developed a technique he called "Suigi Finish." Basically, this technique involved the use of a torch in what he called a "light charring." Originally, variations of this technique were first used to disguise white colored maple on Kentucky style long rifles with fire and soot.

At its best, this finish helps draw out the tiger-tail maple and emphasize the grain in other woods as well. There are a total of ten pages of detail on the Suigi finish and another fifteen pages of comments on modifications of the Enfield rifle. Within Linden’s pamphlets there are several illustrations of his work to call to the reader’s attention. First is a Trap Door Springfield done in the style of an Officer’s Model with a maple stock finished in the Suigi style and deluxe checkering.

Following is a Sporter Winchester 52 with a true lightweight barrel with design, fit, and finish far above the fabled factory offering. Finally, there are multiple views of the flowing lines, modified bolt action and deluxe checkering of a custom rifle transformed into a vision of everything a custom rifle can be, all from a base rifle that originally was as homely as any ever made.

Monty Kennedy’s book Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks is the most detailed book on this specific topic that I know of and is essential for a gunsmith wishing to specialize in the specific area. Originally copy

righted in both 1952 and 1962, my edition is the 16th printing. It was published by the Stackpole Company in Harrisburg, PA and is available from them or Brownells. In Part One of this book, Kennedy discusses every element of checkering stocks. There is some information on carving but the emphasis is checkering. For over 70 pages, he discusses every detail from tool fabrication, checkering design and layout through finishing.

In the years that have passed since there are many options for both hand tools and power checkering tools, primarily available from Brownells. It is unfortunate there have been no revisions to this book to reflect more modern options. In Part Two Kennedy literally turns the book over to the contributions of over a dozen different fellow craftsmen who discuss various patterns, tools, and techniques they use, sometimes differing from the author.

This the larger part of Checkering and Carving and, in addition to providing varying perspective on the topic, is also highly illustrated. The first co-author is Tom Shel hamer of Dowagiac, Michigan. He first began working with the Neidner Rifle Company, also of the same city for many years before going out on his own. Following the death of Alvin Linden in 1946, Shelhamer was widely considered the dean of American stockmakers. There is more information by Linden including some superior illustrations of his work.

Additionally, the other well known contributors are the late Keith Stegall of Gunnison, Colorado, who discusses his Fleur-De-Lis and Point checkering patterns and Dale Goens, who uses 27 pages to discuss methods, tools and patterns. Craftsman Hal Hartley takes almost 20 pages to discuss how to set up a shop, fabricate tools and execute checkering patterns on a wide range of firearms. He concludes with some instructions on the Suigi tiger-tail finish also used by Linden.

The excellent illustrations of so many craftsman make this book a must-have reference on the subject of checkering. Gunstock Finishing and Care was first copyrighted in 1949. My copy is the May 1975 printing. Unlike many of his contemporaries, who had to rely on trial and error for workable solutions, author Donald Newell worked as a technician in a paint plant. As a result, he had access to the chemistry, function, and testing equipment to evaluate any finish he wished.

In addition to providing information on both old and new material used in wood finishing, the author also wished to uncover and rectify the many erroneous ideas, statements, and theories which he felt have plagued the gunsmith for many years. Newell then takes 16 chapters, in over 400 pages, to discuss woods for gunstocks, preliminary finishing, stains, drying oils, varnishes, lacquers, shellac, plastic finishes, driers and thin ners, waxes and polishes.

To my knowledge, the depth of detail provided in this book on the subject of gunstock finishing is unavailable from any other author. For example, Chapter 15, entitled Auxiliary Equipment, the items discussed include a drying cabinet, a framed cover, detailed data on various spray guns, compressors, condensers, pressure tanks, sanding machines, infra-red light banks, selecting brushes and care of equip

ment. The previous chapter covers Antique and Early Gunstock Finishes. As these stocks were so different from those of today the author provides 20 pages of details and procedures with specialized formulas suited to these older guns. There are eight different stain formulas, three different filler formulas and seventeen different finish formulas. For a gunsmith interested in firearms of this era, the data in Chapter 14 will likely justify the purchase of Gunstock Finishing and Care.

We will conclude our discussion of Gunsmithing Library Classics with a final installment on metal working with Firearm Bluing and Browning by Bradford Angier and Advanced Gunsmithing by W. F. Vickery. AG