By request here are pics of the first custom bolt rifle I've build since the 1970s. The client, my good friend Kurt commission this rifle many, many years ago on the pay as you go plan.It was completed in and delivered 2019.
Metalsmith Ed LaPour accomplished the early and very late metalwork, Ralf Martini contoured the barrel, octagon to round with full length rib, to my design and Gordon Alcorn added the engraving. All stockmaking, finishing and much hand metalwork was accomplished in my workshop with metal polishing and bluing assistance by my apprentice Oliver Wilderson.

25" barrel and long LOP make for a lot of rifle. Stocked for offhand shooting.


The action has three guard screws eliminating the need for a barrel tie-down.


Craftsmen acknowledged. Barrel fitting, chambering and matting by LaPour.




Bottom of action was extensively welded to accommodate three guard screws.


Alcorn engraving. LaPour made a trigger guard blank and I hand filed to Sporter shape.


Nitre and fine textured rust bluing, gold inlay and ala Rigby.


LaPour thinned the sideplate so we could eliminate the off-side stock cut-out adding strength and pleasing lines.

absolutely beautiful.

Very fine. Thanks.

That is pretty sweet. The left side is striking and seems as if the barrel is almost sitting on top of the stock rather than buried down it it.

Given the longer than average barrel and LOP, it still looks like it may be a fairly light rifle to carry. Does the owner hunt with it? And if so, what?

Brent, that photo is a unclear, but the third one down makes it clear .

Outstanding!! Thanks for sharing! I like the addition of the action screws. Did you have any particular inspiration in the design? I particularly like the way that the fore end is profiled.

-Tom

Thanks for the complements, guys. As the four close-up show the action and barrel are inletted to half-depth as they should be. The rifle weighs 7lbs. 12 oz making it relatively light. With it's long length the balance point is just forward of the action so it carries nicely.


The owner took delivery shortly after hunting season last year but assures me that his plan is to hunt the rifle. The Rigby type bolt-stop peep sight has two elevation stops for different distances and a gold line for reference. Kurt lives on the Stillwater River here in Montana and has mule deer roaming around his place.


I wish I had clover-leafed the tang but was not aware of that trick when I began the project.

The design is my own with influence from 1920s-30s American Sporters. I had a Shelhamer custom Krag as an example but took this project much further particularly with the three action screws and solid left stock wall. I know of no other Krag with similar treatment. Three guard screws was my idea bu LaPour gets the credit for the extensive welding required to make it happen. The action was heat treated after all welding and stippling.

Trigger guard blank being shaped and contoured with hand-files.

I think the Stillwater River and the surrounding country is as beautiful a country as anywhere in the world.

I agree but please don't let the word out, we are all hiding out here in MT~~~ only 8 covid cases in the HUGE county I live in.
Birding on Sat. I must of seen 30 Long Billed Curlew, all in pairs in (zero covid cases) Sweetgrass County!!!

Beautiful design and workmanship.

Beautiful job!

Once again, My thanks to all for the appreciative comments. This project seemed to go on forever because of cash flow and other project interruptions. This is perhaps the most detailed custom rifle project ever accomplished in my shop. Little things, like the gold line on the sight wheel and the "clam shell" engraving on the rib were imagined years ago but only added at the very end of the job. Enough time to forget about them.

I'm delighted that the Krag is completed and delivered and more so because Kurt is a shooter and hunter and the rifle will see the field and quite probably some blood. I've never been particularly prolific but that little 24k tombstone graces a few dozen fine guns, revolvers, muzzleloaders and rifles.

The rear sight is quite well done and really showcases how That type of sight was appreciated " back in the day"

Great rifle, Steven. Quite an improvement over my Stoeger Krag. Can you show the butt treatment?

Butt treatment? It has a black recoil pad at the client's request.

very handsome rifle...i always enjoy seeing a nicely done krag...sort of a link between yesterday & today...