To echo the opinions expressed here, a custom rifle is just that; one made especially for YOU. To expect a profit, or even most of your money back, is unrealistic. When you bought the rifle, you bought someone elses dream from the 30's; and were happy with the low price you paid in 1999.
You then set out to make it your dream in 2002. It is unfortunate that some things did not work out, and it is unforgivable that your smith got the LOP wrong; sort of like the surgeon opperating on the wrong knee. Was any explanation given? Did he cut too much off the butt? Was there enough wood on the semi-inlet stock?
I worked for a number of years as a gunsmith, and have a bit of an issue as to what is overcharging. Any craftsman who works at an hourly rate has only his time to sell. Was this job done on a contract or hourly basis. If hourly, was an estimate given before work started? From what I can see in the photos, the quality of workmanship is good. The smith had to profile, thread, chamber, polish, and mount sights on the barrel. The action needed to be bushed for the new pin which had to be fitted along with the new extractor. It was then carefully polished. The stocks were then fitted. Although a semi-inlet blank was used; the last 2% of wood removed takes 98% of the time which is why I generally work from a "square blank". The stocks were finish shaped, sanded and finished. The barrel and action were rust blued, the breechblock etc. case hardened. Was this done in house or sent out? Still time and money. Your $3300 looks OK to me , but then, as you said; that is an oppinion. Even by 2002 standards, the smith did not get rich on your project. As I recall at about that time, my local garage was charging $65 an hour for the average parts replacer at "flat rate". Which means a skilled mechanic could do the job in half the time. Your gunsmith had to work to a much higher level of care and skill.
All the best,
Mal
