Question: Traditions Mountain Rifle-Flinter

[Choctaw]

I recently acquired this 50 caliber rifle. This is my first Traditions firearm and it appears to be well built. Does anyone know what kind of wood this is? These aren't my pictures but it is my rifle. The pictures make the stock look rather worn but it is actually in perfect condition. As a happy aside the lock sparks like an arc welder.

 

[Choctaw]

Walnut? Maple? Beech?

 

[david58]

You do best to ask Traditions. We are all just guessing without having the gun in our hands. Likely the least expensive wood that would do the job, since Traditions is trying to make money at their price point.

David

 

[Choctaw]

Good idea, David. Thanks.

 

[Erwan]

Tradition is Ardesa USA (Spanish mark and made in Spain) and for All weapons Ardesa = beech wood and thick polyester varnish (colored brown: walnut imitation) ...

 

[4v50 Gary]

Can I see the buttplate? I'd like to know if it has the crescent buttplate of the later rifles.

 

[Choctaw]

Here you go, Gary. It does have the crescent buttplate.

 

[Panzerschwein]

Here you go, Gary. It does have the crescent buttplate.

Oooohhhh, lemme see dat butt, girl!

Really though, great looking rifle. Looks like someone took their time to build that one up right proper.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

I am guessing beech as the grain is not correct for walnut and it does not look like maple at all.

 

[Choctaw]

Update

Traditions customer service returned my email rather promptly:

What you have is one of our old Austin- Halleck Mountain Rifles . It was pretty much a top of the line gun that we had made in Germany back around 2008 or 2009 and we only carried them for a few years . The price at that time was about 725.00. I have attached a copy of the parts schematic and owner’s manual for you to refer to .



Austin – Halleck went out of business about 5-6 years ago and we are pretty much out of parts for that gun. If you do need parts I would try Deer Creek Products at 765-525-6181. They carry a lot of discontinued and hard to find guns and parts so if anyone will have it they will . If you have any other questions please let me know .



Thanks



John Holmes

Customer Service Representative

 

[4v50 Gary]

Correct buttplate for the style. It's even got some figure. Thanks.

 

[Choctaw]

Well, I guess since it is an Austin-Halleck, that would be maple. But Germany? What's up with that?

 

[D. Buck Stopshere]

Metal parts may have been made in Germany and stocked in American wood much like the the Hatfields I used to buy from Ted Hatfield from 1985 to 1990(?).

Unbeknownst to the consumer, Ted's rifles were stocked in American curly maple (Grade 1, 2, & 3) and all the parts, lock and barrel were imported from Pedersoli in Italy.

The Hatfield Company went to great lengths to shield this fact, even to the point of filing off Pedersoli's trademark and the Italian proof marks on the barrels.

He had Pedersoli fit the breech plugs so the trademark would be positioned on the bottom or adjacent flat (out of sight & mind), if they were not filed off at the shop in St. Joseph, MO.