Checkering

Take your stock-making skills to the next level through checkering! Most gun and firearm stocks are fairly basic. Checkering is a traditional way of cutting lines and shapes into wood. Not only is this technique decorative, it helps give the person a better grip on the stock, especially when wet or greasy.   Doug Mann has been creating gun stocks for nearly 65 years.  At the age of 15, with a few checkering tools, veiner, and new stock for a Model 12 Winchester, using Fleur-de-lis patterns the job turned out nice. He was accepted as a professional member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild in 2006. Doug focuses on stock making for shotguns and single-shot rifles and specializes in checkering and leather-covered recoil pads. He also does checkering for a stock maker that specializes in sporting clay guns. This workshop is one of five offered as part of the 2022 Master Craftsman Series for gunsmithing continuing education in conjunction with the Gunsmith Technology program at Iowa Valley Community College Grinnell. Participants will provide their own firearms, tools, and materials to work on during the sessions and are responsible for their own meals and lodging. Tools and materials list will be provided prior to the workshop.