I was browsing through the wares at Hallowell & Co. out of Livingstone MT, sighing deeply and cursing the Gods of Powerball for ignoring my pleas. (Okay, I do that with pretty much every Merchant of Death’s website, but Hallowell really got to me on this occasion.)
Specifically this time, I was drawn to custom rifles — always a Bad Thing for a man of my gentle disposition and tender sensibilities — when I became aware of the exquisite timber used in almost all of them.
Here are a few examples (and right-click to embiggen).
I have talked betimes about wanting a decent varmint rifle for those long-awaited prairie dog shoots: something more powerful than a simple .22 LR or .22 Magnum (which I’ve got covered). Well then, how about this Ruger No.1 from Bowerly & Stratton, in .223 Rem:
Like many a keen rifleman, I am besotted with lovely wood (don’t go there) and good grief, this one’s magnificent. I am also a huge fan of Bill Ruger’s No.1 rifles — have never owned one, sadly — but this one, at about $10,000 is sadly confined to the Powerball category. Have mercy.
I have also spoken of an urge towards a rifle chambered for the venerable 9.3x62mm Mauser cartridge, a cartridge that can (and has) taken game of all sizes and ferocity all over the world. So there’s this Husquvarna Mauser from Ed LaPour:
While this wood is not as spectacular as the Bowerly Ruger’s, it’s most certainly not boxwood either. However, this LaPour is asking $13,000… [la sigh]
I guess that one could always go “down market” (!) and, in the same 9.3x62mm caliber, look at Dave Norin’s large-ring FN Mauser:
I love that tiger-striping effect on the walnut… and at $4,500 it’s a steal compared to both the above rifles.
Of course, there are many more such fine guns at Hallowell & Co., so I shall leave you alone to lose an hour or two in browsing and sighing, as I did.
Why should I be the only one?
Lovely. Just lovely wood. I’m fond of long rifles myself, but those are pretty.