Custom & Bespoke Stocks – Portfolio
Masterpieces of Craftsmanship
Stefan Schmidt
Bolt Action
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action
Bespoke Stocks
Break Action
Bespoke Stocks
Recoil Pads
Classic & Leather Covered
Checkering
A True Refinement
Working Stages
The Craft of Stockmaking
Clock Atmos
An Artisan’s Work
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Custom Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
My house style of stocking is partly inspired by renowned bespoke gunmakers Hartmann & Weiss in Hamburg. Whatever you prefer – anything goes: Cheek piece styles like German or Rigby; “Stutzen” (fully stocked to the muzzle), recoil pads in classic colours such as black, red, or orange. Just as you like it, just as you always desired it.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Bolt Action Rifles
A valued client and close friend is the French master gunsmith Joël Dorleac of Dorleac & Dorleac. Father and son share an exceptional eye for design. The cast of each stock is individually tailored to its owner, while the contours of the fore-end tip, the flowing lines of the grip, and the shaping around the action are all meticulously planned. Every element comes together in a harmonious and elegant composition. As Monsieur Dorleac senior is fond of saying: C'est magnifique! Among the firearms crafted by Dorleac & Dorleac is a take-down rifle. Take-down rifles are widely regarded as one of the highest expressions of the gunsmith's craft. The challenge lies in machining the joint with such precision that, even after repeated disassembly and reassembly, the rifle returns to exactly the same point of impact every time. For the stockmaker, too, this represents a considerably greater challenge, as the stock itself must be carefully divided and fitted.
Bespoke Stocks
Shotguns and other Break-Action Guns & Rifles
Stocking a break-action gun is a demanding craft. The complex action – whether boxlock or sidelock – must fit the wood perfectly. Shotguns, double rifles and drillings regularly come to me for restocking, repair and refurbishment. This series features a Purdey and a Perazzi. The Perazzi was stocked in the classic style of English over-and-under shotguns, with a few personal touches of my own. Its proportions appear noticeably more elegant and lighter than the standard Perazzi style.
Bespoke Stocks
Shotguns and other Break-Action Guns & Rifles
Stocking a break-action gun is a demanding craft. The complex action – whether boxlock or sidelock – must fit the wood perfectly. Shotguns, double rifles and drillings regularly come to me for restocking, repair and refurbishment. This series features a Purdey and a Perazzi. The Perazzi was stocked in the classic style of English over-and-under shotguns, with a few personal touches of my own. Its proportions appear noticeably more elegant and lighter than the standard Perazzi style.
Classic & Leather Covered
Recoil Pads
Recoil pads are the cherry on top. Like the fine checker cuts, they do refine the aesthetics of a gun. They come in three classic colours: black, London orange, and red. In times of mass production, the leather covered recoil pad is a piece of extravagance and a clear commitment to traditional craftsmanship.
Classic & Leather Covered
Recoil Pads
Recoil pads are the cherry on top. Like the fine checker cuts, they do refine the aesthetics of a gun. They come in three classic colours: black, London orange, and red. In times of mass production, the leather covered recoil pad is a piece of extravagance and a clear commitment to traditional craftsmanship.
Classic & Leather Covered
Recoil Pads
Recoil pads are the cherry on top. Like the fine checker cuts, they do refine the aesthetics of a gun. They come in three classic colours: black, London orange, and red. In times of mass production, the leather covered recoil pad is a piece of extravagance and a clear commitment to traditional craftsmanship.
Checkering
A True Refinement
In contrast to industrially mass-produced rifles, the fine checker cuts of a bespoke rifle are always handmade. They enhance the appearance of the stock and create a comfortable haptic. Whatever you have in mind – from classic cut to the exclusive flat cut: Anything is possible.
Checkering
A True Refinement
In contrast to industrially mass-produced rifles, the fine checker cuts of a bespoke rifle are always handmade. They enhance the appearance of the stock and create a comfortable haptic. Whatever you have in mind – from classic cut to the exclusive flat cut: Anything is possible.
Checkering
A True Refinement
In contrast to industrially mass-produced rifles, the fine checker cuts of a bespoke rifle are always handmade. They enhance the appearance of the stock and create a comfortable haptic. Whatever you have in mind – from classic cut to the exclusive flat cut: Anything is possible.
The Craft of Stockmaking
Working Stages
Take a peek behind the curtain! It’s a long way from a stock blank to an elegantly shaped gunstock. It's not only technical perfection that matters, but also aesthetics. The workings parts of the gun’s internal mechanism must sit tightly and securely within the wood. The stock has exactly to be shaped to bespoke measurements – and it is supposed to please the eye with its lines, lustrous finish, and fine checkering. The slides provide an insight into the working stages.
The clock that breathes
The Atmos table clock of the famous Swiss manufacturer Jaeger-LeCoultre is based on a unique principle.
It does not need to be wound manually. It gets its energy directly from changes of temperature and atmospheric pressure; it runs for years by itself.
The clock works – if you like – organically. This is why Jaeger-LeCoultre chose the name “Atmos”. Atmos is ancient Greek – original spelling ἀτμός – which means steam, damp, or breeze. In a word, Atmos is the clock that breathes.
Nothing was more obvious than to build a clock case that could breathe too. There is only one substance that meets this requirement: wood. Wood reflects the organic function of the clock – it is the warm counterpart of the clockwork’s cool metal.
As natural as the idea seemed, as problematic was its realisation. An R&D engineer who was working for Jaeger-LeCoultre, came up with the idea to house the clock in a wooden case. Detailed plans had already been drawn. But who would be able to build such a delicate piece? Excellent craftsmanship would be required to transform the sketches into a three-dimensional reality.
The engineer approached my father – who had just completed his training a certified conservator – and asked him, if he could build the wooden case. After scrutinizing the plans and some sleepless nights, my father agreed. He did know that that crafting the wooden housing would be challenging.
He first manufactured the tools he needed. Then the main work stage began: Step by step he built the case from ebony, maple and rose, cut, and inserted the intarsia (inlays) and finished the delicate construction with shellac. The housing has two wings – when opened they show a globe.
Only few Atmos clocks were manufactured by Jaeger-LeCoultre. Being a stunning and precious piece of craft, it was often given to VIPs or good business partners. The series has not been relaunched since then.