Unfinished Project

[Curt]

I inherited an old unfinished rifle and I am not sure what to do with it. My father in Law worked with Pete Pride who made high quality rifles prior to WWII. Pete was located in Texas and made rifles from scratch, my father in law developed some of the boring systems and did some of the fitting and seating. The rifle I have has been seated in a walnut stock. The stock out side of the seating is still a roughed out block. The rifle has a mouser action. The bolt is in and it appears to be a 30.06. Some of you may know of Pete, he did hold a world record for accuracy at one time.

 

I would like to sell it, but even more I would like to see it finished and enjoyed by someone who would appreciate it.

 

If you have an interest or any suggestions please let me know. You can email me direct or add to this forum and I will check regularly.

 

I also have 4 really old rifle blanks of the same age, one is a walnut, one cherry, one birds eye maple and one similar to cherry but feels heavy. I am a woodworker, but would rather have them put to use with someone that would use them as intended. They are very choice.

 

Curt cdrahn42@gmail.com

[Elkhunter1]

What are you looking to get out of it?

[Curt]

Stephen

 

Thank you for the reply. I really don't know. I will take some pictures of it and post them later today.

 

Curt

[Curt]

[]

[Curt]

These are some pictures of the "project"

 

Any suggestions or idea of value would be appreciated. I won't be offended by any comment.

 

Thanks

 

Curt

[Elkhunter1]

That is very rough! No trigger, safety, magazine plate, cover, spring. I would need to know more about the action to get parts for it. Is there any stamps or markings on it. What condition is the barrel in, twist and grove count. Buying that without knowing what parts to get would be a big gamble. I would be only interested it the action and barrel, again if I know who made the action.

[123456]

I have no dog in this... As Stephen stated, there is a whole bunch of work left and lots of time and money left to put into this project. I personally would probably give/ charge very little for what you have.

[Curt]

I like each of you, know very little about it. I know that the rifle was made by Pete Pride who was a gun manufacture in Texas prior to WWII, my father in law built some of the equipment to bore the barrels, and worked for him. They quit do to the US Army demand for sniper rifles, which they would not make, so the raw materials were not make available and he closed up shop.

 

The gun has no markings.

 

I agree it is rough and has parts missing, I have a trigger mech,, but not sure if it is part of this gun.

 

I appreciate all your comments, they help me understand what it is or isn't. I will sell it for little just to get it out of my shop.

 

Perhaps you know of some one just getting into gunsmithing that would like something to work on.

 

Curt

[Couzer]

Curt, I would take your items to Henry Lawson??? out of Tuscon if he is still around. I would think he would know what they would go for. Some of those rifle blanks can fetch some good cash depending on the quality. To Myself I would be afraid to buy any of it because I have no skill in that Feild.

[Curt]

Vowell

 

Thank you for the suggestion, the problem is I live in Central Oregon, but I will try and follow up on it.

 

I was asked about the action, being so long from any thing about guns I did not respond. It is a mouser action, if that is any interest.

 

I got the name of a local gunsmith who I will contact, perhaps I can get some answers now that you guys have given me some things to ask. I really appreciate all the help.

 

It almost makes me want to take up hunting again.

 

Curt

[BRYCE CANYON]

Pull that scope mounting base off and see if there is a crest under it, a serial number or anything. Thanks

[Curt]

I took your suggestion and did find some information. The part or section with the bolt, I guess its the breech, has U.S., MODEL OF 1917 Winchester 101460, the barrel has the letter P and a star like mark which appears to be a multiple strike of a (-) and then below that a crooked backward "c".

 

I cleaned and check the bore, it is bright and I saw no visible rust.

 

I restore old wood working tools and have the cleaning, polishing materials on hand. I cleaned up some of the surface grime, buffed out some of the light rust and stains, it actually cleans up fairly good, a few deeper rust spots on the barrel and some rust on the last 2-3 inches of the barrel. I presume the barrel can be put in a lathe and polished.

 

I attached a couple pictures of the barrel and bolt.

 

I really appreciate your assistance, cleaning the rifle and looking at how it fits into the walnut stock gives me more appreciation for the work my father in did, if only he took care of his stuff in his later years. My wife tells me that he took the rifle apart and did the parts as he was afraid of his wayward son, sad as the son did not live very long.

 

I guess my other question is do you think it is worth finishing. I have all the old tools he used to do the stock and I do lots of woodworking, just never tried my hand at a rifle.

 

Thank you guys for getting my interest up.

 

Curt

[Elkhunter1]

You said the last 2-3 inches of the barrel had rust? Is that the inside of the barrel, and what length is it. Knowing that the action is a Winchester draws me in as I want to rebuild a Winchester is that caliber.

[Curt]

Stephen

 

The rust appears to be on the exterior. I found a local gun dealer who took a look at the rifle, he said the rust on the barrel was no problem. He also said it had little value to him, but it was a strong action and was in good condition. He suggested I take it to a gun show and it would likely interest someone. He pointed out some problem with the stock, small crack in the butt and some water damage. It appears most would be in the waste wood.

 

If you are interested I will sell it cheap just to see someone get some good out of it. I do have a trigger and what appears to be a spring or something.

 

Make me an offer and shipping instructions.

 

Curt

[Elkhunter1]

do you know the barrel length: by chance