Posts Tagged ‘Basketweave carving’

Handcarved Basketweave on a Pocket Pistol grip

 

      This is a Jennings J-22 pistol and is a very small pistol in .22 long rifle caliber.   Small pistols like this have historicly been used for protection from various varmints – the four legged,  the two legged, and the slithering snake type.   That is still true in the year 2012.

     This pistol originally had a set of plastic grips by a wooden grip set was purchased at a gun show.   Although I’m not positive, I think the grips are made from a type of Rosewood.    They were smooth but on a pocket pistol, a good grip is required for control of recoil – even in a .22 pistol.   No matter what the size of the pistol, you need to be able to hit what you aim at…..numerous times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     What is a Pocket Pistol?

     The typical usage of a pocket pistol is for close range self-defense, often serving as a deep concealment backup gun to a larger handgun. Pocket holsters are highly recommended for the safe carry of pocket pistols, with standard practice being to carry the holster (sometimes with a second magazine sub-pocket stitched into the holster) in a front or rear trouser pocket with nothing else carried in the pocket that could snag on the gun when drawn. The most popular pocket holster designs are typically made of form-fitted leather, with a heavy layer of leather worn outward from the body to prevent printing of the gun outline on tight clothing.

     Pocket pistol caliber size is typically .22 LR, .25 ACP, .32 ACP, and .380 ACP .   Pocket pistol users include both concealed handgun licensed private citizens and police officers, desiring a self-defense gun, or desiring to carry a backup gun.

 

      There’s been a huge surge in the number of states allowing concealed carry of firearms.   The number of people who are gaining firsthand knowledge of what it’s like to carry a firearm regularly has increased dramaticly.   They are exercising their 2nd Amendment Right to protect themselves and their families.   Many of the newer firearms are lightweight polymar or alloy framed with built-in or plastic grips, but some still sport wooden grips.   This allows you the option of adding your own style as well as function to your firearm.

     I used a simple basketweave pattern on these small grips.   The basketweave design offers a very positive gripping surface for recoil control.  Since this firearm is so small that it only can be gripped by two fingers, with one of those being on the trigger and not really holding the pistol, being able to have a good grip is important.

 

     If you have a pistol grip you would like to personalize, large or small, drop me an email and we can discuss your options. 

 

 

 Thanks for stoppin’ by …..

Lance Larson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Custom Carved Model 1911 Grips for the “Wild Bunch” Competition

 

     The owner of this 1911 pistol was going to use it in the “Wild Bunch” shooting competition.   This part of the Single Action Shooters Society (SASS).   He wanted a custom set of grips that still fit into the rules for the  competition.  They had to be wood since rubber was not allowed.   Since he needed a better grip on the wood, a basketweave pattern was chosen.  These pistol grips are not very thick so showing depth and enhancing the grip is a bit tricky since the carving cannot go too deep.

 

   

 From the S.A.S.S. ‘Wild Bunch” handbook – here are some of the requirements the shooters have to follow:

    1911 PISTOL REQUIREMENTS

• Barrel length must be five inches. No barrel porting or compensators or other recoil reducing devices allowed.
• Grips must be GI-style wood or plastic grips. Other natural materials are allowed but no rubber grips. No target style or thumb rests allowed.
• Only non-adjustable “military style” rear sights and blade type front sights allowed.
• Checkering, carving, or laser engraving is allowed on grips.

     He was very happy with the look because his pistol had a custom look that was one of a kind.   Not like every other pistol on the line.

     Would this type of grip carving look great on your pistol?   Contact me and we can talk about your options. 

 

Thanks for stoppin’ by ……

Lance Larson

Monster Desert Mule Deer Buck     

     This trophy desert mule deer relief carving on the Mauser rifle is completed.   The relief carving features a huge Mule Deer buck jumping over a downed Saguaro cactus skeleton.  The desert mountain backdrop with more Saguaros and a rocky foreground with Prickly Pear cactus complete the scene.    The harsh landscape of the Southwest Desert produces some enormous Mule Deer.   Like this one.  

 

     The forearm and grips were carved in a basketweave pattern.  Hand carved oak leaves accent the basketweave on all sides.   I also carved a nice 4×4 Mule Deer antler shed on the opposite side of the buttstock just below the cheek piece.   I took a photo of an actual shed that the client had and carved an exact copy of that shed antler.

 

     When I completed the carvings, the staining was done by using oil paints diluted down to work as more of a stain than paint.  The more coats I put on an area, the darker it became.   This allowed me to blend the light colored rump and belly of the Mule deer with the darker brown of the back and sides of the deer.   This brings in a more natural look.   The carvings were finished with a couple of coats of Tung Oil finish.

 

     This custom carved gunstock is ready to be both a rifle for hunting and a family heirloom for years to come.   The client and I spent quite a bit of time designing what he wanted in his custom carved rifle.   If this interests you, contact me, you and I can design the perfect carving for your rifle, shotgun, or handgun. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for stoppin’ by……

Lance Larson

 

Mauser 98 Custom Desert Mule Deer Carving

 

      As I mentioned in an earlier blog, the owner wanted a Mule Deer buck in a southwestern desert landscape carved on his Mauser rifle.   The design the client and I came up with is a Mule Deer buck with Large typical  4×4 antlers jumping over the skeleton of an old Saguaro cactus with the normal desert surroundings including rocks, Prickly Pear cactus, and giant Saguaro cactus in the distance.   The Mauser 98 is not manufactured by Mauser anymore but older rifles can be great choices for custom rifles and are still very popular.

 

   Mauser model 98 information courtesy of Wikipedia:

Mauser was a German arms manufacturer of a line of bolt-action rifles and pistols from the 1870s to 1995. Mauser designs were built for the German armed forces. Since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, military Mauser designs were also exported and licensed to a number of countries, as well as being a popular civilian firearm.

   Mauser Model 98

Mausers were readily adapted as hunting rifles. In Africa, so-called Safari rifles were often made from Mausers. These rifles were often rechambered in larger rounds up to and including .50 cal (12.7 mm). The adaptations usually consisted of shortening the foregrip and barrel, rechambering to popular British rounds, and minor alterations to the action, although the rifle was left fundamentally Mauser-designed. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, companies that made alterations were generally Commonwealth-based and developed several proprietary big game rounds specifically for hunting large and dangerous game. Today, large and small bore Mauser-derived rifles are made all over the world for the civilian market and are popular with hunters.

 

As you may remember, the first step was the design:

The second step was the out line cuts of the drawing:

Then I move to the roughing out and shaping of the artwork.

 The shaping continues:

Then you start working on the details – mountains, rocks, cactus shaping, antlers, body shape……

 I put a coat of Minwax Prestain conditioner on the carving – now it’s ready for staining and finish:

     I still have quite a bit of work to do yet.  The forearm and grip checkering will be removed and replaced with Basketweave and Leaves as accent.   I will post again on this project.

     If you have a rifle that you believe would look great with this type of carving, call or email me.   Let’s discuss the options.

Thanks for stoppin’ by ……

Lance Larson

Custom Carved Grips for your Model 1911

  

    There has been a huge increase of popularity in the model 1911 pistol over the last few years.   It seems to be peaking with the 100th anniversary of the model 1911 this year.   Because of this there are a huge number of firearms manufacturers making various versions of the model 1911 pistol.   

     You can get an entry level G.I. model for a few hundred dollars, a top of the line model with all the bells and whistles for several thousand, or your choice of almost anything in between.  No matter what model they choose, most enthusiasts want to make it their own – to personalize it.  There is no better way to do this then choosing a custom grip.

     There are many pistols that come withwood grips sporting a basic checkering pattern, some pistols even come with smooth wooden grips.    I will show you an option here of a basketweave that can give you something that is functional and very personal.  The work you see here can be done on your current grips or I do keep some completed grips on hand for sale.

 

      The following photos show the steps.   First the basketweave outline is carved.

     Then the voids in the weave are removed.

     Next, the actual basketweave is defined and given depth.

     The individual weaves are given texture.  Notice the difference between the steps.

 Ready for the Tung Oil finish.

     As I said, the work you see here I can do on your current grips, I can carve grips on hand to your specifications, or I do have some completed custom carved grips on hand for sale.   You have many options, Basket Weave, Fish Scales, Scrolls, Leaves, Wildlife, or just your Initials.   If this kind of personalization interests you, contact me and let me know how I can help.

 

Thanks for stoppin’ by ……

Lance Larson