Want to get started...need wrap for Win levergun

[Dakota Widowmaker]

All,

I am looking to make my own cover for my Winchester levergun. (model 94, 26" barrel, 38-55)

I refinished the wood and even did my own smithing on the front forend stock.

I put a Decelerator Pad on the butt and it REALLY eats up the recoil.

now, I want to make a stock cover and have shell holders on it as well.

I might do this with my Marlin as well.

Any ideas on where to start? I guess I would need a few handtools and some leather stock/pelts.
This is for functionality...not show-n-tell.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

btt

[Marshal Will Wingam]

I've made my butt covers out of 3-4 oz bridle leather, 5-6 oz chrome tanned and rough out garment leather. Just about anything will work so it's a matter of what you want. All you need is a knife or pair of scissors to cut the material, a hole punch for the holes to lace it together and heavy duty needles and any good heavy-duty thread if you want to sew it instead of lacing it. Here's one I made by sewing the end in then lacing the bottom together to hold it on. I cut the lacing out of the same material so it would match. You can cut the lacing by taking a round piece of the leather and cutting off the outside edge in a spiral until the piece is gone. A 6" piece of leather will net you waaaay more lacing than you will need for the job. I also wrapped the lever with the same lacing.

[Dakota Widowmaker]

I am thinking of getting a big hunk of buckskin  off of ebay...


Where would I order needles and the punch? I suppose the thread is just good thick quality.

A nice "starter" book would be nice as well.

I am open to suggestions...

[St. George]

First - get out the telephone directory to see if there's a leather supply house in your town - and if you're lucky - there'll be a Tandy Leather Store listed.

They're making a comeback after several years out of their old markets.

Most of the 'stuff' you'll need - they'll have - including sewing gear, books and patterns.

Scouts Out!

[Marshal Will Wingam]

Where would I order needles and the punch? I suppose the thread is just good thick quality.

A nice "starter" book would be nice as well.

You can find an awl and needles at Siegel http://www.siegelofca.com/view_cat.asp?id=1

Tandy is a good source for your books. http://www.tandyleather.com/

[Slowhand Bob]

Dakota, I will try to post a picture or two of a simple design I use.  I'm running a bit behind right now so its hard to make commitments, SC state match shoot through starts Saturday and I do not even have the ammo loaded.  If I can eventually figure what is needed and how to use the PDF(?) files I would make a few plans available for down load.  Just another future project to catch up on.  Marshall Will is going to have to get buisy if he is going to bring me into the 21st century, I still cant figure the thumbnails out!