^Lot 2014 LEONARD MEWS PRE-64 WINCHESTER MODEL 70 STOCK.

Lenny Mews was Weatherby's first and best stock maker according to Roy Weatherby in his autobiography. He first worked for Weatherby in the late 1940's and into the 1950's. Mews is credited with the iconic design of Weatherby's stocks. Mews also worked for premiere custom rifle and barrel maker, Pfeiffer of Roscoe, CA before settling in Appleton, WI. Mew's work was often featured in Gun Digest articles as well as in Monty Kennedy's "The Checkering and Carving of Gunstocks" plus Roy Dunlap's "Gunsmithing" book. Deemed the "best of the best" by other notables such as P. O. Ackley. Although Mews was best known for his stock work, he was equally adept at metal work although he often sub contracted custom rifle metal work out to others so he could focus on stock making. Originally from Germany, he came to America right after WW-II. Consignor was a personal friend of Mews for many years and a noted expert on his work with accounts often seen in his "buckstix" forum posts. Attached tag lists this as having his "Rocket Pattern" and that the LOP is 11.5"; actual measurement is 11 7/8" LOP (from center of rear guard screw to butt is 11 1/4"). Normal LOP for a Model 70 is 13 1/2". Stock has a mixture of California and Weatherby style with rosewood forend tip and scalloped grip cap having slight bottom flare plus white diamond inlay at its center. Forend checkering is 2 panels of very fine LPI skip line pattern; grip area is matching with swept back pattern having arced ribbon of separation in midsection. Shadow lined Monte Carlo cheekpiece, detachable sling swivel bases, very good butt figure and Neidner style finely checkered buttplate with widow's peak. Barrel channel has Mews' stamp signature applied twice. CONDITION: amazing workmanship with light witness marks at floorplate location indicating prior installation. Buttplate has some very faint traces of oxidation showing mainly on edges being more concentrated near toe. Top quality stock with lots of history and made for America's most classic hunting rifle. PROVENANCE: From the Buckstix Collection. (02-26029/NW). NON-GUN. $450-700.