Need help IDing a custom rifle.

[hornsurgeon]

I picked up a custom rifle and can't find any info. I'm wondering if you have any reference to the maker. It's a Siamese mauser made into a 35-348. Beautiful workmanship. Metal finish top notch. Nicely figured walnut with hand checkering. The bolt and follower are finely jeweled. There is a gunsmiths name stamped into it. It appears to be w c atruz. I can't find anything on him. Here's a couple of pics. Anyone?


http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq253/hornsurgeon/80C7619E-1946-4D76-BEB5-A06CBBC7AC54_zpsi8ybujrp.jpg (http://s453.photobucket.com/user/hornsurgeon/media/80C7619E-1946-4D76-BEB5-A06CBBC7AC54_zpsi8ybujrp.jpg.html)


http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq253/hornsurgeon/F380423B-35B0-4BA0-AA51-8C09898EA6AB_zpsoh8eud0o.jpg (http://s453.photobucket.com/user/hornsurgeon/media/F380423B-35B0-4BA0-AA51-8C09898EA6AB_zpsoh8eud0o.jpg.html)


http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq253/hornsurgeon/FC414778-9D9D-412B-BF22-74533E729BD4_zpsgeds7ges.jpg (http://s453.photobucket.com/user/hornsurgeon/media/FC414778-9D9D-412B-BF22-74533E729BD4_zpsgeds7ges.jpg.html)


http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq253/hornsurgeon/3FD18C8B-776F-40C2-98EF-5A6079C216AF_zpsgmzipyyq.jpg (http://s453.photobucket.com/user/hornsurgeon/media/3FD18C8B-776F-40C2-98EF-5A6079C216AF_zpsgmzipyyq.jpg.html)


http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq253/hornsurgeon/D5AEFE89-AA1A-4864-9D9D-E0DCB31044F6_zpsfaehbu4w.jpg (http://s453.photobucket.com/user/hornsurgeon/media/D5AEFE89-AA1A-4864-9D9D-E0DCB31044F6_zpsfaehbu4w.jpg.html)


http://i453.photobucket.com/albums/qq253/hornsurgeon/448D06A3-1F9F-4153-A4BF-10C70A9979B8_zps4hcxemg6.jpg (http://s453.photobucket.com/user/hornsurgeon/media/448D06A3-1F9F-4153-A4BF-10C70A9979B8_zps4hcxemg6.jpg.html)

[TXGunNut]

Wow, no help but that's a nice looking rifle.

[salpal48]

seems to be an excellent made rifle. Fine line checker, nice blue on M98 action. Never heard of that maker. The barrel band may be the key.. Band looks German or euro. I don't think it english,not a good caliber for either country
Might have been rebored in USA and new sight installed

[texassako]

Maybe WC Strutz is the maker

[Bzcraig]

Wow, no help but that's a nice looking rifle.

Exactly what I would have said!

[TXGunNut]

Maybe WC Strutz is the maker

I think you're onto something there, top of the stamp is a little light.

[hornsurgeon]

Maybe WC Strutz is the maker

i think we have a winner. Anyone have any info on this maker? I found address and phone number. I can't seem to find any info on the quality of his work or the value of a rifle built by him.

[fast ronnie]

I don't know who or what, but that is one beautiful piece of artwork!!!!!!!

[hornsurgeon]

i have found one newspaper article on Wally strutz from eagle River wi. It is looking like it's made by wally strutz in eagle River wi. It sounds like he was fairly well known. In cartridges of the world it states that layne Simpson had a rifle built by Wally. Based on beding material, rear sight, etc I'm thinking 70-80's. I have yet to find anyone that has one of his rifles to compare the stamp. Or find one of his rifles for sale to get an idea of the value of this one.

[snowwolfe]

Only way to really determine the value is to sell it at auction. Since it was made by a little known 'smith almost impossible to get an accurate appraisal based upon what other rifles the same person created sold for. Generally custom bolt rifles by well known artists sell on the used market for about 50% of what they cost new.
I would take a wild guess and say this rifle would fetch $800-1,200 on gunbrokers.

[pietro]

.

JMO, but I wouldn't give a rat's azzz about the value or maker - that rifle's a wonderful acquisition !

It reminds me of a classic British Rigby Sporting / Express Rifle of 80-odd years ago........................


.

[TXGunNut]

How far is Eagle River from Appleton? May be worth a trip there to ask around, could call the LGS's and see if any remember him. It would be nice to know but bottom line is it's a fine rifle with old school quality and workmanship. Reckon the other markings denote twist rate?

[hornsurgeon]

Well I have Wallys last known contact info. I'm going to try to get ahold of him this week.

I have found out that even layne Simpson had rifles built by Wally.