7X57 mm Custom Rifle

[Ben]

About 30 yrs. ago, I was involved in building this rifle.
I was paid to do the shaping, inletting, glass bedding , free floating of the barrel and final fitting, install a new adjustable trigger and set it to a clean, crisp 2lbs., installation of the recoil pad and all of the final finishing on this one. It is a custom commercial FN, 98 Mauser chambered in 7X57mm with a new Douglas stainless steel barrel . The rifle was test fired only.
I put a lot of time and sweat into this one.

I did not do the checkering. It was farmed out to a very skilled
artisan and carried a very healthy price tag for the work , even for 30 yrs. ago.

Last night I finished a deal with my friend in FL for the rifle.
I did this one when I was in my " late 40's ". Maybe at the height of my
stock making skill base ?

I'm anxious to get this one home.

Ben

 

[Ian]

That's the most beautiful chunk of walnut I've ever seen on a rifle. The grain runs perfectly too, no compromises.

 

[Ben]

Thanks Ian,

I also love the fiddle back in the wood .
Ben

 

[Rockydoc]

That stock is a beautiful piece of work, Ben.

For a scope without a bell at the front, is it not mounted a little high?

 

[Ben]

Yes, a good observation, I will not be getting the scope.
I'll provide my own here on this end of things.

 

[Glaciers]

Well Ben my brother is over in South Carolina till the end of the month visiting his daughter and new granddaughter, so if you decide you really don’t like it quite as much as you thought…. He could stop by on his way back to Southern California and I could pick it up in January. That’s a stretch.

Very nice, great piece of lumber and the checkering besides being beautiful, it’s my favorite style checkering.

So I could send you my full name and contact info so you could write me into your will. Well I think we about the same age, so that won’t work.

You have some nice pieces.

I will be happy finding a 1980’s 7x57 in a Winchester Featherweight with that style checkering. A Featherweight 7x57 would fit nice right next to my other 3 featherweights.

Enjoy Ben

 

[quicksylver]

what is there to say?it's time less , clasic, flawlessly exicuted , every non black rifle devotee's dream rifle and some thing to be proud of. I am extremely happy for you Ben, it's not often that an orportunity like this comes along, thanks for reminding us and showing the younger crowd what a real rifle should look like. handle with care and show with pride Dan

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

If that would be my rifle. It would be a safe queen. I would be afraid of scratching the stock in the woods.

 

[Ben]

Thanks fellows ! !
I'm glad to see it coming home.

Ben

 

[Ben]

I can think of one grandson that would really like to use that firearm.

Ha !!!
I think you're onto something now.

Ben

 

[smokeywolf]

I did this one when I was in my " late 40's ". Maybe at the height of my
stock making skill base ? I'm anxious to get this one home.

She's one of your babies Ben. It's time to get her home. Can't tell you how happy I am, that you're able to work this out. The way you tell this story, it seems kind of like it was meant to be. Think I had similar feelings when I bought the Garand back.

When Trevor or whomever you pass this on to holds this rifle, this piece of your artwork, they will feel the connection to you.

 

[Ben]

What a wonderful thing for you to say Smoky.
This is close to my " best " that I have ever done.
To me, it is a special rifle.
Yes, maybe it was " all in the cards " for it to find its way home.

Ben

 

[Bret4207]

Nice hunka wood! Well done Ben, and in a terrific caliber.

 

[CZ93X62]

Ben's rifle stock work and photography are second to none. Both have graced the pages of this site since its formation. I agree with Bret on the caliber, too. Thanks mostly to sloth and assisted in no small way by periodic poverty, I have never owned an example of the 7 x 57 Mauser. Maybe it wasn't weird enough to prompt a purchase--dunno.

 

[JWFilips]

Ben,
That is a super rifle! Glad you had the opportunity to get it back to it's first home! Stock work is beautiful & I just love the look of that barrel......What length is it? When you get to shoot it Please post the results....But with your stock bedding talent I'm sure it will shoot as good as it looks
Jim

 

[Ben]

I hope so Jim.

Best to you,
Ben

 

[Brother_Love]

Ben,
That surpasses gunsmithing, that is art! I too am so glad you are getting back. I have a feeling it may become your “go-to” deer rifle, Trevor will feel the same way about in the future but better, not only a beautiful rifle but one built by his grandad too. Please give us a range report.
Malcolm

 

[Petrol & Powder]

That rifle is a work of art.
PLUS, a Mauser type action, top notch barrel and chambered in one of the most iconic cartridges to ever exist - the 7 x 57.

That is the total package right there.

 

[Ben]

Thank you for the kind words !

Ben

 

[L Ross]

Well I am just dazzled.