Cincinnati Shaper

[mite5255]

[dallen]

ok we're pretty much done with the ugly duckling project, I successfully smeared epoxy over all the contact surfaces between wood and metal and allowed it to harden. After which I knocked it out of the epoxy and did a little cleanup. Now its just a matter of waiting until the new front sight gets here then seeing if it was actually worth the work. there's still some gaps in the epoxy that I need to go back and fill in just to make it look a little better.

[F.C.]

I've got an old WWII German Sniper rifle (8mm Mauser) I bought for $54 back when I was 16 that's been THE BEST shooter I've ever had... and still is. At one point in my life (after my military hitch) I went stupid for a few days and made the mistake of selling it to a roommate for $100. After a year he got his own place, got hooked up with some controlling woman who despised firearms and to prove his love for her he GAVE AWAY every weapon he had, literally, GAVE them away at random to strangers on the street across town. When I heard about this I was livid mad. Anyway... another year later I'm driving across town and see some fella j-walk'n across traffic ahead of me carrying a rifle with a broken stock... MY MAUSER!! That barrel and receiver group cannot be mistaken... it was the one I used to own. I slammed on the brakes, lept out and hollered, "HEY... where the hell you get that rifle?" The fucker looked panicked and dropped it on the grass next to the sidewalk and ran like he was on fire. I snatched it back up and drove home. Sure as shit, it was my Mauser. I packed that around for decades keep'n it wrapped look'n for another affordable sight to match the one missing plus look'n for another stock, only this time I wanted a Monticarlo style stock. I found one about 10 years ago I labored to custom fit that barrel and receiver perfectly into, then worked to do inlay decorations into the stock both for aesthetics as well practicality for greater handling characteristics. Also had the weapon parkerized, something I've always liked but never afforded prior 'cause I was too cheap. Since this weapon magically returned to me I feel it a necessity I revive and restore its performance capability to include honor it with a custom stock. All I need yet to add to the stock is a 1" recoil pad, a sculpted grip end cap and a near perfect as I can find original functioning rear adjustable peep sight that was appropriate to that weapon back in the day. And wouldn't you know, after moving here where we live today I stumbled on that sight across the river in a combo smoke shop/gun shop in the display stand. Yeah, I inquired about it but they wanted a phenomenal price for it. Intell I've gathered since living here is that the sight's been in that case for at least 10 yrs. I can't help but wonder if it's the original sight that was on it back when I sold it in the 70's.. HAHA... Last time I popped into that store I pitched yet another low ball price at 'em for it, down from the ones I keep offer'n. I'm gonna try again this spring to talk turkey with the ole' coot run'n the place and see what horse trade'n he'll be up to accept'n for it. Been my experience in life that folks that hold dead fast to a price, and never falter, really don't give a rip about the money... it's more the principal over what they say goes. I can respect that. But those individuals have needs, too. Find out what need they have you, and only you, can fill for them that usually get's 'em down off their high horse and negotiations get a chance to take place. I'll present the ole' coot with the rifle and stock (as is) along with the weapon's story so he can see how the universe has brought those two items into proximity. If he's willing, and likes the work I've done with the stock he might swap that sight for some inlay work into something of his own. I've got a few pics of that weapon somewhere I'll see about dig'n up and show'n ya the stockwork I've done. They're on a CD SOMEWHERE, HAHA... But yeah, if I can get this weapon back into service there's a group here in this area that's started a Long Range Shooting Club competition (100, 200, 300, 600, 1000 yd). I would sooooooo love to get back into that game... especially with this old rifle. This rifle is surgical at all those ranges, just gotta be one with it is all.

[dallen]

glad you found your rifle Frank, hope your able to deal the old gizzer out of the sight, no since waiting until spring, he may be in the talking mood now what with the holidays just about upon us.

[dallen]

some of the mess I made out of the inside of the stock

recoil-lug-area.jpg (69.87 KiB) Viewed 3583 times

[dallen]

had the bolt on the mauser apart last night just because I could, got to looking at the firing pin and damn if the end of it someone hadn't taken a grinder to it. Not sure why but now the thing is short enough that when in the fired position the pin doesn't protrude thru the bolt face. So I ordered one up. it will take a couple weeks for it to show up with the time of the year that it is.

Happy Holidays to everyone.

[F.C.]

Obviously that firing pin was done that way intentional to make the weapon inert. Probably had it on display or had it amongst kids around the home, or maybe just never trusted having a weapon in the home and thought if needed he'd use it as a visual deterrent. People do crazy weird stuff often never once focusing on personal training and/or educating one's children. I recall hearing my kids once tromp'n through the house with their friends all in a clammer and passed by where I had been cleaning some handguns and still had them laid out on the coffee table. I was in the can at that moment and heard 'em all stop and one kid say... WOOOOOWWW!! and went to grab one to check it out and my two oldest boys said, "Don't even think about it".. "SERIOUSLY, Step back!" They were like 12 and 9 yrs of age. All my boys were proficient with handguns and rifles by the time they were 10. Even in a sporting goods store they won't pick one up to inspect without going through a full safety check.

Anywhooo..... your comment about that firing pin stirred some old memories... nice one's, though...

[dallen]

more likely that someone took the bolt apart and dropped it on a concrete floor and chipped the end of the pin and then tried to fix it.

[dallen]

was sitting in the living room when santa appeared in the driveway with my new bin for my molding sand. Shop Monsters had to give it his blessing with a little water of life.

shop-monster-and-the-new-sa.jpg (59.32 KiB) Viewed 3575 times

[Jammer]

MELT IT, MELT IT!!