Wild Bill Kelso
Member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2007
- Messages
- 17
I have a Winchester model 59 which I am in process of 'Woolnerizing' ala Frank Woolner as detailed in his book, "Grouse and Grouse Hunting."
I have come to the conclusion that a 'Woolnerized' Winchester model 59 is the finest upland gun imagineable, at least for northeastern Massachusetts where I hunt.
So far I have had a barrel professionally cut down to 23" which alone makes the gun into an extremly light weight fast handling pheasant-blaster however; I need some guidance.
The next step is to cut back the forearm, that seams easy enough to understand. But I'm not sure how to shorten the screw that holds the forend to the shotgun. It also looks like Frank had some sort of metal plate 'capping' his amputated forend, but its description is lacking.
Further I'm not sure what to do about cutting off the pistol grip off the buttstock, I think 'back in the day' Frank Woolner ordered a straight grip buttstock from Winchester - but in view of Winchester's demise I do not have that option.
And I have no idea what Frank meant when he said, 'slab sided.'
I am serious enough about this project that I even contacted Frank's surviving brother Jack however; outside of enjoying the conversation he referred me back to the book.
Actually I would prefer to buy an already Woolnerized model 59, regretfully I missed out on one at auction on gunbroker.com a while back.
Truth be told, if I could find the one that Frank Woolner customized I'd be thrilled to see it; photograph it; take measurements; possibly own it.
Wild Bill Kelso
Danvers, MA
I have come to the conclusion that a 'Woolnerized' Winchester model 59 is the finest upland gun imagineable, at least for northeastern Massachusetts where I hunt.
So far I have had a barrel professionally cut down to 23" which alone makes the gun into an extremly light weight fast handling pheasant-blaster however; I need some guidance.
The next step is to cut back the forearm, that seams easy enough to understand. But I'm not sure how to shorten the screw that holds the forend to the shotgun. It also looks like Frank had some sort of metal plate 'capping' his amputated forend, but its description is lacking.
Further I'm not sure what to do about cutting off the pistol grip off the buttstock, I think 'back in the day' Frank Woolner ordered a straight grip buttstock from Winchester - but in view of Winchester's demise I do not have that option.
And I have no idea what Frank meant when he said, 'slab sided.'
I am serious enough about this project that I even contacted Frank's surviving brother Jack however; outside of enjoying the conversation he referred me back to the book.
Actually I would prefer to buy an already Woolnerized model 59, regretfully I missed out on one at auction on gunbroker.com a while back.
Truth be told, if I could find the one that Frank Woolner customized I'd be thrilled to see it; photograph it; take measurements; possibly own it.
Wild Bill Kelso
Danvers, MA
