doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Any Linden experts? Custom Trapdoor Butt Plate

Anyone have an Alvin Linden rifle? Any Linden experts out there?

** UPDATE **

I've added this picture of the butt plate and grip cap on my Linden rifle. Anyone see anything like this? (also pictured on my last post)

Looking for information about this classic maker from the 30s - 40s.

Hi Helmut,

You just missed out on one, and at a fairly reasonable price, too: https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Milita...mation/52443550
I have to admit that I'm a little dubious of the attribution, however.
Alvin's books on stock making do crop up from time to time.
He was featured on the cover of Dunlap's book "Gunsmithing".

Hello xausa,
Thanks for the reply.

Well ....... ah ....... "no" ....... I didn't miss out on that one. Its only the 2nd Linden I've seen come up for sale in the last 15-20 years.



...... and I've just ordered the 3 volume NRA books on Alvin Linden's stock making.

But, it seems that not much information is out there on the internet, except for 2 or 3 examples of his work. I'd like to find others that have his rifles, that might share their pictures of them.

Seems like only us OLD gun collectors recognize the Linden name.

I think Linden is one of the most well-known gunsmiths of the period. there were many period articles written about him which are quite useful today.

He passed away in 1946 which predates the E.C Herkner company scope mount (1947) and the Pecar scope (1953). From my understanding of Linden rifles that does appear to be his stock work but I don't make any claim of being an expert on it.

https://imgur.com/a/jx73SEb
I have a couple of period articles about him archived and I will upload more when I get the time.

Hello 375whelenIMP,
Thanks for the reply.

I look forward to reading this, and any other articles that you upload. Thank you.

I'm aware that the scope and mounts are later than Linden. The auction listing stated; "quick detach side scope mount, front sight removed" ... "Action mounts a Lyman receiver sight base with the peep removed and a blank insert filling the vertical dovetail" ... "original 1903 front sight band & blade, King Pacemaker ramp/band/blade & hood."

Since the rifle has a Lyman receiver sight, it stands to reason it originally had a front sight as well. So, sometime post-Linden, (1950s) someone must have added the scope. Because the scope is a low power 2-3/4x64, its likely that the front sight was visible (and distracting) in the scope's view. Hence the front sight was removed. Fortunately, it was retained, and could be re-installed on the barrel.

I do think it was a good deal even considering the changes. I didn't end up with anything at the rifle ranch auction but nice being able to add so many rifles to my archive!

Here is the Arthur Vinje article
https://imgur.com/a/INREw9T

Hello 375whelenIMP,
Thanks for the reply, and thanks for the additional article.

Yes, and fortunately many of the changes can reversed. All-in-all, the auction was a wonderful assortment of classic guns. However, many were miss-identified as to the maker. For example, there were several Leonard Mews classics with no mention of his name.

Do you have a link to the Mews? I made a good effort on this 7mm newton But unsure of the stock maker exactly.

It might be a while before we see another auction like that!

Here is an article that was written by linden himself. Not sure sharing this one is the best idea for my chances to find that rifle......

https://imgur.com/a/qiQIfGB

Hello 375whelenIMP,
Thanks for the reply.

I doubt I'll ever see another auction like this in my remaining years. I bid on the Mews rifles, but didn't get a single one. But I wasn't really too concerned about getting another Mews, because I have 16 of them in my collection. I did get this Schultz & Larsen. I like unusual Benchrest rifles, and I like the silver plaque in the butt plate. https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Milita...mation/52443395

Mews:

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Milita...mation/52443619

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Milita...mation/52443574

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Milita...mation/52443618

https://www.proxibid.com/Firearms-Milita...mation/52443638

The Glaser and Kess arms both have the checkering pattern I associate with Mews even as basically an outsider to his work.

Michael Petrov's Volume 1 has a chapter on Linden.

Hello 375whelenIMP,
Thanks for the reply.

You have a good eye. Fortunately Leonard marked his work; in the barrel channel if he made the complete stock from scratch, or under the butt plate, if he added the checkering to a factory stock or just checkered the stock for another stock maker.

I like the article you posted, but its too small to read. Can you post an enlarged image?


Hellorelics6165,
Thanks for the reply.

Yes, I have both of Michael's books, but not many examples of Linden's work.

If you do not already have it, pick up Kennedy's checkering and carving book. Lots of examples of not only Lindens, but many other period makers work in it.

The Springfield 06 and the 1922 Hornet pictured in it are in my collection. If you do some digging there should be a post on this forum with some pictures of the Hornet.

John

Hello gasgunner,
Thanks for the reply.

I have several copies of Kennedy's book. A couple are signed by Leonard Mews. He was a friend and member of 2 of my clubs here in Wisconsin.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46452154/rapid-city-journal/

It might be more readable if you are able to zoom in.

Hello 375whelenIMP,
Thanks for the reply.

Yes, thank you, that's much better. Can you post the link to page 26 column 1 where the article continues?

I am still looking to add a Mews rifle to my collection. I think he had a unique ability to incorporate some of the features of the "California" style that was becoming popular at the time, without the rifle becoming gaudy or loosing the functionality of the classic style.

John

Hello 375whelenIMP,
Thanks for the reply & thanks for posting the link.


Hello gasgunner,
Thanks for the reply.

Leonard's first "big time" career began in Hollywood California working for Roy Weatherby. From Roy's book;

Hello gasgunner

I've taken a few detailed pictures of some of the features of my Linden. Have you seen features like these before?

I've added this picture of the butt plate and grip cap on my Linden rifle. Anyone see anything like this?

I don't know but am very interested about the ba D markings

I agree, it would be very interesting to learn more about the grip cap and buttplate. I checked my small reference library and struck out. It would be interesting to look thru the ads in the Late 1930�s American Rifleman and see if there�s anything that matches. Anyone stuck at home with a bunch of old rifle magazines?

The buttplate looks like one that was offered in the 1960s or 70s. It was checkered like the one in photo without the design, I am thinking that the design was added by matting. I have one in my parts stash and will look for it and post photos.

I think these are Al Biesen fittings with the stippling added by Linden. The AB on the underside of the buttplate would seem to make it more likely. I think these were available from the late 40s until maybe 5 or 6 years ago. The were made by Al's son the last several years.

Except the AB is stamped backwards.

Cabela's in Reading, PA sold a small flock of Mews rifles a few years ago. I did not take advantage because his work was a little late for my taste. Live and learn.

There is no Cabels's in Reading PA - There is one in Hamburg, PA