The stock in Bob Cash's picture above, made by the un-named Missouri Magician, looks very much like the work of a really good Missouri stock and checkering man who recently retired due to arthritis and other health issues. One give away was his refusal to use any stains when finishing his stocks. As recently as last year, he was still accepting a limited amount of work for a flat $25.00 an hour for shop time. I wouldn't blame anyone for not giving up the name of a craftsman who did quality gunstocking or checkering work that cheap.
Art sent his wood work out to Donnie Gemmes at show me gun stocks.
Really scary to think you could rent a car and make a couple round trips driving your gun all the way to Missouri to avoid shipping loss or damage, and then it might get sent out anyway. And to think the same could happen with an engraver sending out your gun parts to be annealed prior to engraving, or for new case hardening or bluing after the work is done. But some gunsmiths farm-out work quite often.
