ACGG #21 The North American Rifle
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the .30-06
No other cartridge can match the .30-06 for longevity and popularity. In celebration of its 100th anniversary year, the team of American Custom Gunmakers Guild (ACGG) member craftsmen chose to create a firearm raffle project for the ACGG #21 designed to honor it and the trophy game it’s intended to hunt. 2006 also is the 70th anniversary of the Model 70 Winchester which was used for the action on this outstanding gun.
A lucky winner will own this magnificent rifle for the price of a twenty dollar raffle ticket. Tickets go on sale January 31, 2005 and will be limited to 4,000 sold. This yearly firearm raffle project by the American Custom Gunmakers Guild is an example of the quality and various types of project completed by America’s leading custom craftsmen. A new owner for “The North American Rifle” will be drawn in January 2006 at the Firearms Engravers & Gunmakers Exhibition in Reno, NV.
Metalsmith James Wisner of Adna, Washington, installed a match grade 30-06 barrel donated by John Krieger of Krieger Barrels, and did the chambering and hand honed the action. He then displayed his superb talents by personally fabricating from bar stock all additional metal parts and fixtures including one piece bottom metal, quarter rib, band front ramp, custom square bridges with removable covers to hide the scope bases, custom scope rings, new bolt handle, new bolt release, hidden screw swivel studs, steel butt plate and a custom grip cap. Wisner’s metalwork is flawless in form and function and truly representative of “best gun” quality.
Two scopes were generously donated by Leupold, Inc. a 1.5-4 for timber and dangerous game and a 3-9 for hunting open country, and fitted with Wisner’s quick detachable rings for easy interchange.
When Stockmaker Kent Bowerly, Redmond, Oregon, was chosen to stock this unique rifle, he wanted to use the very best stock blank he could find. A spectacular piece of English walnut, donated by Al Silvera of Pacific Native Hardwoods, with beautiful crotch figure was selected. Bowerly carved the stock in his American classic style with cheek piece and shadow line. It features a traditional ebony forend tip, hidden screw swivel studs tastefully set on oval pedestals, a custom steel grip cap of his own design and a steel butt plate. The inletting is flawless and the stock fixtures are fitted to perfection.
Bowerly checked “The North American Rifle” in a fleur-de-lis pattern with delicate ribbons flowing around the contour of the wood. Checkering is a full wrap-around with a 75 degree tool at 26 lines per inch. The stock is sealed and hand rubbed to a rich satin finish with Chem-Pac Pro Custom Oil. The completed stock is a truly beautiful piece.
Engraver Sam Welch, Castle Valley, Utah, beautifully designed and depicted the four cherished trophy species of North American game on the rifle. Bulk elk and mule deer heads sculpted in gold, silver and soft iron inlay adorn the floorplate. A combination of blackleaf and English scroll with gold borders and accents complement the bottom metal and trigger guard.
The buttplate showcases a big horn sheep and a mountain goat in high relief steel sculpture and surrounded by scrolls and gold borders. English scroll, French gray and flush gold wire were used extensively by Welch on the barreled action, quarter rib, square bridges, scope rings and bolt handle. The logo of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild forms the centerpiece of the steel grip cap, highlighted with French gray and gold borders. Welch’s execution is absolute perfection.
The engraving design pays tribute to the German and Austrian-born American engravers who embellished some of the finest Model 70’s in its early years and who greatly influenced today’s American engravers.
Sculptor James Stafford, Chehalis, Washington, created a limited edition bronze of a trophy elk, mule deer, sheep and goat to complement the rifle project. The winner will receive #1 (of 5 of this series) donated by Mr. Stafford in his support of the Guild’s efforts to educate the public about fine quality custom guns. Stafford has been a professional wildlife artist since 1974 and a long time supporter of many organizations.
Completing “The North American Rifle” is a deluxe French-fitted leather case crafted by well known casemaker Marvin Huey, Lawrence, KS. Components include turnscrews, cleaning rod and accessories made by Huey, a hand-crafted leather sling donated by leather worker Don Horsfield, British Columbia, Canada, and the two scopes donated by Leupold. The new owner will receive all this and the bronze sculpture by Stafford.
The Craftsmen:
James Wisner
PO Box 186
Adna, WA 98522-0186
(360) 748-8942
Kent Bowerly
710 Golden Pheasant Dr
Redmond, OR 97756
(541) 923-3501
Sam Welch
HC 64 Box 2110
Castle Valley, UT 84532-9602
(435) 259-8131
Marvin Huey
820 Indiana St
Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 842-0062
James Stafford
593 Twin Oaks Rd
Chehalis, WA 98532-9030
(360) 748-8957
Photography: Turk’s Head Productions, Inc.
