One of the first things I spent money on after high school was a Marlin 57M. Nice walnut stock, but I found it a little too slippery for my likes. Several years later, I decided to do something about it. Nothing fancy, but it greatly improved the grip.

 

 

That is nice work, John! What was your process and tool? 

Now that is really nice, well done!

That looks like some great work John!  What experience did you have to tackle that on a new gun?

WOW! Most excellent. Amazing transformation John. Detail is extraordinary and perfect for such a classic rifle.

Did you design the pattern? How long did it take you?

Questions, questions! needs answers?

I started carving as a kid, very basic (and Rough), but got several Lee Valley carving sets once I had a bit of money. The design was inspired by something in a copy of Field and Stream (IIRC), but modified to fit the rifle. The pattern was incised (I think that's the word), then the low parts taken out with a variety of small chisels. Couldn't tell you how long it took, but somewhere around a week or two, depending on how much overtime was available at the plant. And, the kitchen table was my workshop (very small apartment), so I had to work around meals as well!

1 hour ago, HARO50 said:

so I had to work around meals as well!

Some things take priority when there's a conflict of spaces. Order take-out when that occurs. 

Fantastic work !!!

Outstanding result!  Really do like that!!

The design is intricate yet simple.  The kind of detail that goes into that type of carving is no joke.  That looks great!