Professional Stockmaking [Hardcover]

David L. Wesbrook (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1994

Originally copyrighted in 1994, this 2011 reprint is a step by step how-to with complete photographic support for every detail of the art of working wood into riflestocks. Comprehensive coverage of the techniques are illustrated to gain skill and/or understanding of the professional gun maker's craft. An unparalleled achievement, destined to become the bible for students, professionals or those who appreciate custom rifles.

Table of Contents

Book I - Introduction to Inletting the Semi-inletted Stock

Section 1 - Inletting the Barreled Action
Section 2 - Inletting the Barreled Action Semi-inlet
Book II - Finish Shaping the Stock
Introduction to Finish Shaping
Section 1 - Fitting the stock to the individual shooter
Section 2 - Introduction to the tools used in shaping
Section 3 - Shaping begins - profiling the buttstock
Section 4 - Shaping the sides of the buttstock
Section 5 - Rough shaping the combnose
Section 6 - Shaping the body and forearm of the stock

Book III - Sanding and Stock Finishing

Section 1 - Sanding
Section 2 - Stock Finishing
Appendix I - Inletting a Steel Buttplate
Appendix II - Tools Used in Stockmaking
Acknowledgements

Editorial Reviews

Review

His work... exceeds the vast majority of stockmakers today, and in fact is the equal of several old master craftsmen. --Bruce Brady, Editor-at-Large Outdoor Life

I believe Mr. Wesbrook's outstanding gun making workmanship is among the best I have seen. --Dave LeGate, former Art Director Handloader/Rifle Magazines

His arms work certainly reflects quality and I believe that the quality of his photography ranks with the top. --John Bivins, Consultant Architectural Carving & Decorative Arts

I believe Mr. Wesbrook's outstanding gun making workmanship is among the best I have seen. --Dave LeGate, former Art Director Handloader/Rifle Magazines

His arms work certainly reflects quality and I believe that the quality of his photography ranks with the top. --John Bivins, Consultant Architectural Carving & Decorative Arts

About the Author

David L. Wesbrook has had an interest in firearms from an early age while growing up in a small farming community in Indiana. After surviving a near fatal, head-on collision in his last year of college he moved to Friendship, Indiana the home of the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association and began to pursue building black-powder rifles.
Friendship, Indiana, is also home of gun maker Jack Haugh who gave Dave the inspiration for quality gun making.
Dave's quest brought him to work as a stockmaker at the renowned firm of Griffin & Howe. In the early 1980's, he began to make fine custom riflestocks and accessories on a professional level and achieved recognition nationally with commissioned works by the Dallas Safari Club and others.
To create suitable images of his work, Mr. Wesbrook went on to study photography under one of America's most important innovators of fine art photography, Mr. Frederick Sommer. Dave's gun photography has graced the pages of Rifle Magazine, Gun Digest, Peterson's Hunting, Hunters Quest, Guns and American Rifleman. His photographic work has included private collections, special projects for National Geographic, National Gallery of Art, National Museum of American History, The Smithsonian Institute, as well as all photographic illustration in this book.
Today Mr. Wesbrook resides in the Midwest and continues to produce custom rifles, hunt, fish and do fine art photography.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 308 pages
• Publisher: Wolfe Pub Co (February 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1879356155
• ISBN-13: 978-1879356153
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Antiques & Collectibles > Firearms & Weapons
  • #78 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Hunting & Fishing > Shooting

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars stockmaker, December 8, 2011

By 

elkhorne - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Professional Stockmaking (Hardcover)

This is a very good book that applies to modern as well as muzzleloading rifle construction. There are excellent tips and sections from several of the premier longrifle gun makers of today. Excellent photos of "how to" procedures from blank to finish.

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional Stockmaking, March 3, 2011

By 

AC - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Professional Stockmaking (Hardcover)

Great "instructional manual." Wonderful photos, descriptions of each step, complete listing of needed supplies and materials. The step-by-step format will lead an advanced beginner into a top quality product, provided one takes one's time, reads ahead, and understands why each step is necessary--again, provided one does not try to do too much at any one time. Stay in step!