This Winchester is special to me for a few reasons. I bought it in 2003 from Elmira Arms Company. Richard Hartman and I have sealed a few deals together since I moved to Elmira in 1994. The company relocated in 2007 to somewhere in Pennsylvania. Maybe we'll do business again sometime after I find the place. This gun was in almost new condition and I bought it as a future engraving project.
In November 2005 I had the chance to visit the Winchester Custom Shop in New Haven, CT. This was the year the decision to discontinue the 9422 was made. I mentioned to Leslee that I really like figured wood. During our walk around she led me to a box of left over miscellanious 9422 stocks. The box had years of dust on it and she told me if I found something I liked she could make me a good deal. Well it took a few minutes but I found wood to make a good matched set. I almost choked when she gave me a price. It was as much as I had paid for the gun in the first place. But to commorate my visit I bought the dream stock any way. Two months later the closing of the New Haven factory was announced. All the sudden the price I paid was bargain, funny how thing change over time and events.
If you notice the bolt, you will see my first attempt at engine turning the bolt. I'll explain more on this in some future post.
I was viewing The Firearms Engravers Guild website in 2006 and learned of one of their members James Wark located in Sayre,Pa. A couple of emails and nearly a year later I met Jim and dropped off my Winchester. I gave Jim a little deposit and Jim accepted my commission. He had just opened a part-time gun shop. Getting ready for retirement someday heh, heh.
When Jim was close to finished with the engraving work he suggested the reciever,hammer and lever be sent to Doug Turnbull for his trademark color case hardening. More on this sometime later, but I thought it was a great idea.
Now if I can just get the hang of photographing firearms. Suggestions welcome.
