doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com possible Mews?

Hi All

Sandlapper asked me to post some pictures of his latest acquisition. It has been a while since I've posted
pictures and need to relearn things. So here is a test.











Looks like it worked.

I imagine Sandlapper will be along in a while to add some discussion.

Thanks to Physdoc for his generous help in posting these pics for me. I think ( and hope) that this is a Leonard Mews stocked rifle due to the super quality of the inletting, shaping and the checkering pattern and execution, which is flawlessly done, as far as I can tell. It is built on a VZ24 Brno action, 20.5" barrel, Canjar trigger, 7x57MM barrel marking, 5 panel checkered bolt handle with rose engraving, fully engine turned follower and bolt, and 1909 Argentine sporterized bottom metal with floorplate release inside guard. I haven't found any markings anywhere on the rifle, including under the Niedner buttplate and gripcap. The only markings are under the barrel, which are PR 3W 10 66, and the P is lightly struck, so not sure if it is a P or R or maybe another letter. Perhaps some of you fellows can enlighten me as to the origins of this rifle. Regards, Sandlapper

That is some amazing woodwork. The checkering looks unusually deep and in perfect condition. How does it shoot?

I haven't had it but several days, but will take it out this week hopefully.

Yes, the checkering panels are about as deep as I've seen, perfectly cut with no borders or overruns, which I've read is a feature of Leonard Mews' checkering.

A VERY NICE RIFLE ..... BUT NOT A LEONARD MEWS RIFLE ... not his checkering pattern, not his grip cap, not his forend tip.

Also, Leonard marked all his work, even during the time he worked at Weatherby .... his custom stocks were marked in the barrel channel ... if he only checkered a stock, he put his stamp under the butt plate. Stocks done at Weatherby only had his initials, not his stamp.

Leonard was a fellow club member here in Appleton, Wisconsin. I collect his work and I have a dozen rifles in my collection.

http://www.yostaction.com/images/stamp.jpg

Buckstix, Would you have any idea who the maker might be? The reason I thought Mews built it is a picture of a rifle he built on page 142 of Monte Kennedy's Checkering & Carving of Gunstocks that has the exact checkering pattern on the grip and forend.

Hello,

No, the pattern on page 142 is Leonard's "Rocket" pattern (smooth teardrop) Its much different than the pattern on your rifle. Not sure why it wouldn't be identified since its a very professional job. I have the same problem trying to identify the work on these two of mine.

https://www.doublegunshop.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=633685

I am thinking maybe an above average amateur or journeyman stockmaker who had a copy of Kennedy's book. Just does not show the refinement that the "name" smiths work does. Somewhere out there is a Shilen 300 mag with that same forend pattern that I checkered about 30 years ago when I thought I wanted to be a stock maker. As I recall, I kind of let my lines get away from me a little bit and my diamonds get a little square up towards the front end just like this guy did. Regardless of who dun it you have a nice rifle, enjoy it.

John

A few years ago, the Cabela's in Hamburg, Pennsylvania sold a covey of Mews guns out of their gun library. I was in the middle of my John Oberlies acquisitions at the time and was too occupied to take advantage.