I changed sights, installed a better buttplate, refinished the stock, and reshaped the ugly square-front schnabel forend.
Here is what it looked like before:
![Image](http://762precision.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/1895-browning.jpg?w=220&h=1000)
![Image](http://762precision.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/browning-1895-winchester.jpg?w=497&h=291)
Me too!crs wrote:very nice.
I hope that you take much game with it.
Denny Knives custom: http://762precision.wordpress.com/produ ... ing-knife/Blackhawk wrote: What is the knife in the second photo of your first post?
The buttplate is a cast repro, so it isn't perfect, especially in the checkering. A real one, would be a bit nicer.BenT wrote:Looks great ! Big improvement on the forend. Did you have to grind a lot on that butt plate? I was planning on replacing the one on my Browning also but it wasn't easy to find one of the correct dimensions.
The sight comes with the two pointers, one thiner than the other. Just choose whichever gets you closest to the orientation you like, and if you want the lever lower than it lands, sand the pointer thinner until you get the desired orientation.BenT wrote:You must of shimmed the locking lever on the sight to be indexed like that.
I think I might case color this sight at some point.Bill in Oregon wrote: . . . boy, those Providence sights are handsome. May just have to have one.
You can't beat the price on them either. $152 shipped and includes a 11-36 tap and the proper drill bit for the locking lever hole.7.62 Precision wrote:I think I might case color this sight at some point.Bill in Oregon wrote: . . . boy, those Providence sights are handsome. May just have to have one.
The stock color is very easy. I use Tapadera's stain. This was the N-35 red.Grizz wrote:beauty. I like the stock color, how did you do that?
This one came drilled and tapped from Providence Tool Company, and I bought the aperture from them. I would call or email them as see if you can buy just the drilled and tapped aperture, it might be worth saving the hassle, or you may prefer to do it yourself. When you consider the cost of a good bit, taps, tap handle, etc, if you don't have them already, it might be cost effective, too.Shasta wrote:Now that's what I call improvement! I have a Browning 1895 in .30-40 Krag, and have never liked how plain the buttplate looks. I very much like that checkered steel buttplate you installed; it's much better looking, as is the forend schnabel. I also like your screw-in sight aperture. I thought about drilling out and tapping the aperture hole on my Providence sight, but was concerned the metal might not be thick enough. You have inspired me to consider your improvements for my own rifle. Thanks for posting!
It is a Lyman 17 Globe sight. I don't have the old one, but I can check with the guy who has it and see if he ever used it or not. Otherwise, let me check around a bit and see if I can find one. I know I can find he Winchester sight with the brass blade easily enough, I will have to see if I can find the Browing sight. You need the sight and the base?Malamute wrote:Nice job!
It looks like the front sight is now dovetailed into the barrel, do you still have the old front sight? Could it be had?
I had a local 'smith order me one, when I went back to get it, he had sold it to someone else and never get me another one.
Cold blue will blacken brass as well.vancelw wrote:You can't beat the price on them either. $152 shipped and includes a 11-36 tap and the proper drill bit for the locking lever hole.Bill in Oregon wrote: . . . boy, those Providence sights are handsome. May just have to have one.
I'm going to install my Pattern 21 sight on my 1895 Whelen this week. I'm waiting on some brass black I ordered to darken the pointer some.
That was an elegant sight. The best way might be to make one from an existing ramp.Malamute wrote:Actually, I'm trying to come close to the extra-light front ramp look . . .
That is a rifle I need to see a photo of.Malamute wrote: . . . a shortened '03 Springfield semi-sporter. Shortened military wood shaped similar to a Krag carbine, band moved back an inch or two, A-3 upper wood, shortened to just past the band, Lyman receiver sight, 22" barrel.
That is going to look very nice. I see these rifles from time to time with poorly, slightly sporterized stocks. Your idea sounds like a great way to make it look really good and seem "right" for the rifle. It's bound to be a good look.Malamute wrote:It's a slow project for the time being, I have most of the parts, but the stock needs to be bedded properly. To move the band back a little, one of the channels inside the forend need to be filled, and the band spring moved back. Shape may be more reminiscent of a Winchester 95 saddle ring carbine. Krags had several variants, some look a bit long, some look a bit short proportionally. Was going to use a med-low Williams Shorty front ramp, but the '95 front would look nicer.
The stain is alcohol-based. You don't want to mess with water-based stain, and oil-based stains are a disaster, since they don't allow a proper finish.Sixgun wrote:That sure gave it a classy old school look. Not that they look bad as they come from the factory but when your accustomed to the "old look", the way you did it is nice.
I too, was going to ask about the stain. Is it alcohol based? I use a similar stain that like yours, is easy to control. It's called Chestnut Ridge and is alcohol based.One light coat is perfect for Winchesters and two will make an M-1 Garand look like it left the arsenal yesterday.
The oil that's my favorite is Formbys and is easy to use. The Arrow wood finish gives a better look but is not as "idiot proof".-----6
Just noticed that the front sight on the Remington Model 8 is similar, but a bit taller, not quite as nicely sculpted.Malamute wrote:Actually, I'm trying to come close to the extra-light front ramp look . . .
What a nice rifle, and a great caliber!Bill in Oregon wrote:Picked up my .405 Winroku takedown today. Yours is sure a lot prettier!
Lacking any gunsmithing skills, I will find a prefit Limbsaver sissy pad. The smooth steel factory plate just slides off my shoulder like it was greased, and I could use a bit more length of pull.
RIP, John Browning; another ingenious design we are loving in the 21st century.
Bill,