Bottom Metal Engraving

[Sabre]

Guess I can add this:

My 500J next to @THAT'S AFRICA SAFARI 470NE on an elephant hunt in December.

Work was all done by this time.
View attachment 661783

I really like the wood on that 500.

 

[CBeck]

That sort of work is OK if you do not actually want engraving and are happy with that sort of work. I think it is somewhat cartoonish compared to true engraving which is expensive. That said, that approach would be the most practical for that rifle - particularly a simple design.

I know your distaste for the Ruger M77 rifles, I happen to love them. However, I still don’t want that type of etching either.

I have a good friend, master engraver and stock maker that was formerly with Dakota, now on his own. Oddly enough, he builds, engraves and stocks world class rifles, but for his own hunting rifle he chooses a Ruger m77….go figure. No accounting for taste.

I do agree that the etching is a little subpar and cartoonish… For what I had in mind anyway.

I like to see the potential in a rifle, they don’t all start as masterpieces. One reason after stripping the goop Ruger uses, I’ve spent a month redoing the stock to a true hand rubbed oil finish…..coming along nicely I think.

Anyway I made his some knives a while back and he has graciously offered to do my floor plate in trade.

 

[CBeck]

Just something subtle on my 500 Jeffery's bottom metal. Been on an elephant hunt as back-up at least.View attachment 661678

Beautiful and quite like what I had in mind for my own!

 

[CBeck]

View attachment 661646View attachment 66164

Another beautiful example of less is more….

My friend said he would surprise me but I’m scared of that…so I wanted to guide his direction….lol

 

[KJE81]

When I see all these beautiful examples of engraving I cant wait for when I get to see how mine turns out...the waiting is really the worst part of ordering custom rifles or custom work. Or perhaps when the time to pay up comes up it might be considered worse?

 

[CBeck]

When I see all these beautiful examples of engraving I cant wait for when I get to see how mine turns out...the waiting is really the worst part of ordering custom rifles or custom work. Or perhaps when the time to pay up comes up it might be considered worse?

I’m share your excitement…please share when the time comes

 

[Rare Breed]

I know your distaste for the Ruger M77 rifles, I happen to love them. However, I still don’t want that type of etching either.

I have a good friend, master engraver and stock maker that was formerly with Dakota, now on his own. Oddly enough, he builds, engraves and stocks world class rifles, but for his own hunting rifle he chooses a Ruger m77….go figure. No accounting for taste.

I do agree that the etching is a little subpar and cartoonish… For what I had in mind anyway.

I like to see the potential in a rifle, they don’t all start as masterpieces. One reason after stripping the goop Ruger uses, I’ve spent a month redoing the stock to a true hand rubbed oil finish…..coming along nicely I think.

Anyway I made his some knives a while back and he has graciously offered to do my floor plate in trade.

View attachment 661810

For me the value of my Ruger 30-06 is simply it was my dad's rifle. He paid $300 for it in 1976, It is probably worth $500 today. The laser engraving cost about what he paid for the rifle and given it is going on my leopard hunt I thought it was perfect. I totally get @Red Leg point. However, if I had done great what I call real hand done engraving it would obviously cost four to five times the cost of the rifle...in the South we would call that "putting pearl earrings on a pig." lol!!!!!

 

[CBeck]

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions?

 

[Red Leg]

I know your distaste for the Ruger M77 rifles, I happen to love them. However, I still don’t want that type of etching either.

I have a good friend, master engraver and stock maker that was formerly with Dakota, now on his own. Oddly enough, he builds, engraves and stocks world class rifles, but for his own hunting rifle he chooses a Ruger m77….go figure. No accounting for taste.

I do agree that the etching is a little subpar and cartoonish… For what I had in mind anyway.

I like to see the potential in a rifle, they don’t all start as masterpieces. One reason after stripping the goop Ruger uses, I’ve spent a month redoing the stock to a true hand rubbed oil finish…..coming along nicely I think.

Anyway I made his some knives a while back and he has graciously offered to do my floor plate in trade.

View attachment 661810

Lovely work on that stock. Below is my Teutonic No. 1, and all the wood is original. I purchased it in Germany in 1975, and a German gunmaker friend took the varnish off (and added the engraving) giving the stock the same treatment you did. About a year ago, I had the forearm slimmed down, and added open sights and barrel band to give it a true stalking rifle look. Sadly, Ruger can't stay anywhere near their price point with that sort of hand labor.

I am not sure distaste is the right word as much as disappointment. I own three No. 1's, but all now represent what the design is capable of being. I am thrilled to see someone do the same with a M77.

I think the tusks and nomenclature would be perfect on that bottom metal.

 

[WAB]

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions?


View attachment 661896

I would consider a border along the outside with some minor embellishment top and bottom.

 

[WAB]

I would consider a border along the outside with some minor embellishment top and bottom.

I think it is very appropriate to the rifle.

 

[CBeck]

Lovely work on that stock. Below is my Teutonic No. 1, and all the wood is original. I purchased it in Germany in 1975, and a German gunmaker friend took the varnish off (and added the engraving) giving the stock the same treatment you did. About a year ago, I had the forearm slimmed down, and added open sights and barrel band to give it a true stalking rifle look. Sadly, Ruger can't stay anywhere near their price point with that sort of hand labor.

I am not sure distaste is the right word as much as disappointment. I own three No. 1's, but all now represent what the design is capable of being. I am thrilled to see someone do the same with a M77.

I think the tusks and nomenclature would be perfect on that bottom metal.
View attachment 661900

Beautiful rifle, and I agree with your disappointment….ruger has done a lot of things well and a great many poorly. Rarely have they offered the complete and finished package.

I loathe a clunky stock and have thinned a great many rifles at the wrist and fore end. I always appreciate your experience and insight.

That said, I am a habitual tinker and love to take an average rifle and make it better.
I’m quite fond of the Winchester 70 as well.

I was able to buy several rough inlet high grade 70 stocks at a nice price and am working to fill them with actions….still have 3 more empty 90% finished. On this one, I added ebony tip and grip caps and cross bolts and oil finish…..

This started as a $300 Winchester 70 ranger 7mm RM with a birch stock sold at Walmart 30 years ago! Absolute tack driver when new, now suffering from some accuracy issues I’ve been unable to rectify….time to see a smith….but that’s another thread.

Checkering was done by the gentleman that will be doing my floor plate.