$5000 rifle stock?

[Slamfire]

This Al Biesen stocked rifle did not go for $2999.99

Al Biesen Custom Winchester Model 70 6mm Rem Pre 69 (1937) RARE
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/839441326

this one

Al Biesen Custom Winchester Model 70 .270 Win-As New Condition!
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/855296374

the bids are up to $5425

To me, like new and not 6mm Rem would be more desirable. A M70 in 270 Win is a classic post WW2 rifle. Those who are Jack O'Connor cultists would desire a Biesen stocked M70 in 270 Win, because Jack had one.

 

[Varminterror]

Macon Gunstocks, $1200-1500 typically for Exhibition grade American walnut, $300-700 for duplication done on a provided pattern stock.

 

[redneck2]

I looked at their website. They have some really nice looking stocks

 

[cdb1]

I really like good checkering and that stock has it in spades. I’d think most people who’ve read a bit about O’Connor have heard of Biesen.

A few years ago I read an article about Al Biesen. If I remember correctly his daughter worked with him. If I had a stock that nice I’m pretty sure I’d take it off and use another stock too.

 

[entropy]

Macon Gunstocks does not have a good reputation, at least amongst shotgunners. Their BBB rating is B+. FOor items of this kind of value, not high enough for me.

If you want good shotgun and rifle blanks, Mike Mann at http://whitecreekgunstockblanks.org/about_us.php is the guy to talk to. He favors Myrtle and Maple, but has Walnut also. He does not finish them, just sells blanks.

 

[Varminterror]

I’ve only purchased 3 stocks from Macon myself, having been advised toward them from a former Baron engraver for Ruger. They all came out exactly as ordered. No complaints from me.

 

[Laphroaig]

The difference is that Al Biesen is a famous gunsmith (largely thanks to JOC) who is dead. Macon is a stockmaker with a B+ BBB rating who probably does good work.

There are plenty of portraits of smiling ladies cheaper than the Mona Lisa. The price of art is hard to justify.

 

[Varminterror]

Seems a few folks are butthurt that I called out the difference in market volume between someone looking for a Biesen stock and someone simply looking for a high grade stock. I pointed out the fact there are options to buy fancy and exhibition grade stocks for folks who don’t particularly and specifically WANT a Biesen which can be had at far lower cost what a collector might pay for one of his stocks. (Looks like fancy grade stock blanks at least can be had through White Creek for under half what I paid for the blanks at Macon).

Take your drama elsewhere, nobody kicked your dog.

 

[jmr40]

You can spend more than $5K on just the stick of wood that you send to a custom stock maker. Here is a relatively cheap blank for $1500.

https://www.cookwoods.com/collectio...feather-crotch-claro-walnut-mannlicher-w24747

 

[25-20 WCF]

How in the world could that rifle go to Africa three times and not show any Wear?.....

If you look closely you can find a few small dings in the stock. Many African safaris consist of mostly riding around in a LandRover until the right trophy is spotted, then a short (or very long) stalk. Some have gun bearers to carry the rifle. Some require lots of walking and rifle carrying by the hunter. We don’t know the types of safari Offhand took, or how he treats his firearms.

I never baby my rifles in the field, including many week+ long hunts on Kodiak Island, and while they don’t look brand new they don’t show signs of abuse either. Some folks are harder on their guns than others.



.

 

[Offfhand]

Seems a few folks are butthurt that I called out the difference in market volume between someone looking for a Biesen stock and someone simply looking for a high grade stock. I pointed out the fact there are options to buy fancy and exhibition grade stocks for folks who don’t particularly and specifically WANT a Biesen which can be had at far lower cost what a collector might pay for one of his stocks. (Looks like fancy grade stock blanks at least can be had through White Creek for under half what I paid for the blanks at Macon).

Take your drama elsewhere, nobody kicked your dog.

First of all, thanks for lead on source of American walnut. I recently looked at some blanks for an American shotgun I'm having restocked but none were suitable, so I'll contact Macron to see what they have to offer. But as to the quality of their finished stocks, I'd say their price is about about right, if perhaps a bit overpriced. Certainly noone I would recommend to a friend, but I can see they might appeal to someone looking for some cheap work and never have seen fine work to compare. The pics in their website pretty much illustrate the manifest failings of their work. For example, they show a pic of their fitting of a skeleton gripcap. Which I suppose they must be quite proud, even though it appears to have been inletted with a dull hatchet. Go look at it now, and compare with the skeleton grips on this assortment of detailing by genuine craftsmen and it may give you a better grasp of what we're talking about. .
.

 

[George P]

Macon Gunstocks does not have a good reputation, at least amongst shotgunners. Their BBB rating is B+. FOor items of this kind of value, not high enough for me.

If you want good shotgun and rifle blanks, Mike Mann at http://whitecreekgunstockblanks.org/about_us.php is the guy to talk to. He favors Myrtle and Maple, but has Walnut also. He does not finish them, just sells blanks.

There are better stock makers for shotguns; S&S out of Montana is one. While I agree the OP's stock is very nice, I do not see that as $5K; not when I see high-end shotguns with AAA Turkish walnut with gorgeous marble-cake and burl going for $4-$5 K

 

[Varminterror]

But as to the quality of their finished stocks

I’ve not purchased a finished stock from them, nor would I. There’s a lot of room left under $5,000 when you start with a $1500 blank and have it hewn into the shape of a stock for $300-700. A hell of a lot of finish work can be done by exceptionally skilled hands for under $3000 when you save a lot of money NOT paying extreme labor rates associated with those skilled hands just for pulling a spokeshave.

 

[Gordon]

First of all, thanks for lead on source of American walnut. I recently looked at some blanks for an American shotgun I'm having restocked but none were suitable, so I'll contact Macron to see what they have to offer. But as to the quality of their finished stocks, I'd say their price is about about right, if perhaps a bit overpriced. Certainly noone I would recommend to a friend, but I can see they might appeal to someone looking for some cheap work and never have seen fine work to compare. The pics in their website pretty much illustrate the manifest failings of their work. For example, they show a pic of their fitting of a skeleton gripcap. Which I suppose they must be quite proud, even though it appears to have been inletted with a dull hatchet. Go look at it now, and compare with the skeleton grips on this assortment of detailing by genuine craftsmen and it may give you a better grasp of what we're talking about. .
Sorry for the drama, but kicking your dog again is rather enjoyable.View attachment 896054 View attachment 896055 View attachment 896057 View attachment 896058 .

I'll take the top one and the 3rd one down May I ask who did the grip caps , sir ?

 

[Caplock]

I like to try and keep my guns in good shape.
I dont have any rifles of the quality in this thread for sure...but even 300 dollar Ruger Americans get well taken care of in my house. Ive taken a nasty fall bird hunting and was proud of the fact my Remington Wingmaster didnt get a new scratch. I was bleeding but I heal.
It makes me sick when guns get treated like a hammer.

 

[Trey Veston]

This has been an informative thread. I had no idea custom rifle stocks were so expensive. I'l have to put my Al Biesen stock in a hard case and a safe place.

 

[Mosin77]

Sell it now while there are still guys buying guns who are of the age to remember Jack O’Connor and Mr. Biessen. Maybe it’ll appreciate a bit more over the next 10-20 years? But maybe it’ll go down in value too (or stay the same, which means losing value when inflation is factored in.)

 

[mcb]

I am the third generation owner of this pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in 270 Winchester.

Those other rifles in this thread are beautiful and yet I find little draw to them. I would rather spend more time in the woods than time burnt on acquiring pretty wood on a gun. Every scratch is a memory ever ding has a story. Nothing's better than a tool that is ugly from honest wear, it stands tribute to the success and trials its user(s) have overcome.

 

[Trey Veston]

My first rifle, a Winchester Model 70 XTR Featherweight in .257 Roberts, still has the dings on the stock from one of my first deer hunts as a boy. I was riding on the rack of a 70's Honda Trail 90 behind my dad and the rifle was slung over my shoulder. The stock banged on the metal rack of that old motorcycle while I clung for dear life as my dad powered up a game trail.

The dings bothered me for years. Now they are a fond memory of my youth.

 

[Trey Veston]

And I still have that rifle, although I haven't shot it in decades, you can see the marks on the butt stock...

 

[Robert]

Let's call this one asked, answered, and drifting.