Stock identification on 721 ..... fantastic wood !

[Rem725]

I had a 725 270 with wood like that. Sold it but have regrets.

[The Gamemaster]

The 721 / 722 was the cheapest gun that Remington ever made in comparison to the Model 700's made just a couple of years later.

The stock had a real shabby stain on it and a real crappy finish that was known to fall off.

I can only imagine that if someone was smart enough to scrape off the old finish and sand it down and put a nice finish on it, along with some hand checkering that it would turn out a lot like the one in your picture....

If a person worked at the factory, there is no telling whom did the job for them.

[Rem725]

Fancy wood like that was a factory option.

There were the Peerless and Premier grades.

And personally I think the 700 line was just a clone version of the 721, 722, and 725 dressed up with pressed checkering. Early 700s certainly were equal but not better. The 700 Classic and Mountain were a good looking version, but still a clone. Most recent 700s comparing sporter weight to sporter weight, are a step down in my opinion.

[Wulfman]

This is my 722 .244. The factory told me that it most likely came from the factory as is, but that the wood grade wasn't always identified as peerless or premiere. It's birdseye maple.

Definitely not a (Remington) "factory" stock.
Possibly a Fajen, Bishop, Richards Microfit or some other stock maker of the period. It's reminiscent of the Weatherby stocks of that era.


Den

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[Wulfman]

When I sent pictures to Remington, this was their reply:

"Letter designations are not always used and many grades are never marked on the firearm itself. The engraving is done very well. It does appear as though it could be a factory job, however there is no true way to confirm this with 100% certainty. It is very similar to the engraving patterns we use, but this is also one of the most copied designs in the industry. Your barrel date code puts the production date around May of 1956, so it is highly possible that it is all original."

Why are you so certain that it isn't a factory stock?

Apparently even Remington is not completely certain about the barreled action being "factory" (or even Custom Shop).

Why am I certain? I have NEVER seen, and YOU will NEVER find a stock like THAT coming from the Remington factory (or Custom Shop). These forum pages have many examples of restocked rifles with that kind of Monte Carlo comb and pistol grip variations.

Have you taken the barreled action out of the stock to inspect it (stock)?

Your pictures of the barreled action are lacking in detail to see the engraving up close......and whether the barrel has the "hump" near the rear sights. If it was built around '56, it would more than likely have the hump.


Den

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[John Gyde]

My bet is also that it is not factory work. The high grade Rems I have had also (USUALLY) did not have date codes on them. I couldn't tell enough from your photos. Is the serial number stamped or engraved? Is there a grade stamp hidden in the wood? I will not tell you where to look for obvious reasons.

[Wulfman]

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I see.........
No engraving on the action.......only the barrel. Strange and suspicious.

Standard stamped serial number and logo on left side of action.

Heavily engraved barrel. Nicely done, but without engraving on the action, it's
suspicious as probably having been done later.

Aftermarket stock. Nothing like what would come out of the Remington factory or Custom Shop. I would venture to predict that the recoil pad doesn't say "Remington" on it. Maybe "Pachmayr"?


Den

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[John Gyde]

My collecting interest is primarily 22s, but I have owned a few high grade centerfires. ALL of the "E" & "F" grades had engraved serial #s. Most, if not all had the grade engraved as part of the serial # (like 1234F). The grade stamp on the wood..... I don't tell the location to prevent someone adding the stamp later.

The wood and engraving are really, really nice on your rifle, but I don't think it was done by Rem.

[Wulfman]

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You are right about the recoil pad, but it was replaced recently when the rifle was reblued. I don't remember what was on the original one, but it was very similar. I don't doubt your, or John's opinion, I am only trying to get answers. It would seem they are in some doubt. Is there anyone or anywhere I can take it to to get a definitive answer?

Read Gene Myszkowski's post in this thread/link and look at the picture.

http://www.remingtonsociety.com/forums/ ... 722#p13883

You'll see what a high-grade 722 from that period looked like.


Den

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[John Gyde]

[quote="studechip"]You are right about the recoil pad, but it was replaced recently when the rifle was reblued. I don't remember what was on the original one, but it was very similar. I don't doubt your, or John's opinion, I am only trying to get answers. It would seem they are in some doubt. Is there anyone or anywhere I can take it to to get a definitive answer?[/quote]

I think the non-Rem type wood, stamped Serial # instead of engraved, no engraving on the receiver (that's a big one), barrel code, no grade stamp, engraving all the way to muzzle should be an indication. The factory records are sketchy at best & you have already tried to get your definitive answer there. If I owned it I would be proud of it. It is beautiful but not factory. I have no doubts.

[Rem725]

The 725 stock I had was shaped and checkered exactly like a regular 725 stock. Except the wood was very fancy, lighter colored with much figure. Even the buttplate was proper original metal. This stock was 725 in everyway except the quality figured wood. The barrel and action were not enhanced in any way. Just regular 725 270.

[umcpumpgun]

I'll put my money that the stock is a Harry Lawson 1960's stock. The barrel eng. was probably done when the stock was replaced. Guarantee you Remington never put any wood or just eng. on the barrel like that out. The stock screams 1960's Weatherby look a like.

[Wulfman]

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I'll put my money that the stock is a Harry Lawson 1960's stock. The barrel eng. was probably done when the stock was replaced. Guarantee you Remington never put any wood or just eng. on the barrel like that out. The stock screams 1960's Weatherby look a like.

You got me thinking (and Googling). Lawson was big on thumbhole stocks, but the one that did lots of inlays and radical, "rake-ish" grips was Winslow Arms. This one may not be a Winslow, but it kind of reminded me of those and the Weatherbys.


Den

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[Wulfman]

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I talked to Winslow this morning. He said they have never done any Remingtons. I saw some Weatherbys online. I'm thinking it could be one of those. I'm going to call them tomorrow.

Save your call......Weatherby won't have any information for you. They NEVER did any work on a Remington......they had their own brand name and that was the one on their firearms.

On the other hand, you might want to read the following links.
Supposedly, Winslow did do some work on Remingtons and some others, but their primary work was with Mauser actions.

http://www.fieldandstream.com/pages/win ... -works-art

http://forum.accurateshooter.com/index. ... =3405795.0

http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/genera ... ifles.html

http://www.bluebookofgunvalues.com/Gun_ ... OLT_ACTION


Den

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[Rem725]

Weatherby shopped some of their high end stock work out to a stock maker named Shaw. Shaw made the baby blue stock for the Weatherby rifle given to Walter OMalley (LA Dodgers). I actually polished on it for Shaw. Shaw fit an after market stock to my Dad on his 300Wby. Comfort of shooting was much better over the original stock

I tried to find a picture of the gun again. No luck so far but I did find this with a couple lines on the rifle.
http://articles.latimes.com/1988-12-21/ ... 1_cane-rod