custom stocks Sheffield

[greenman]

On my way south I phoned custom stocks on the off chance that they may have had something for my hw95 hanging around.....just so happened he had one, a sporter with rosewood cap that because of a few knots ...deemed not up to scratch. Well I was four miles away and dropped by for a look .Beautiful piece of American walnut with a few knots that provided real character to what is a natural product and forty two pounds cheaper than the norm.
The owner dealt with me and couldn't have been more helpful and friendly.
Fantastic people,great service and a lovely product,thank you sir .Now my sfs 95 has a frock that really shows her off.He did point out that due to the demise of Theoben and the assimilation of Brocock ...times are much harder.Be a shame to lose custom stock.Also discussed the fuss over the 99s to which he admitted that he reacted to customer demand....but only about ten actual orders so far .Appears he did as we asked but most owners calling for him to produce haven't actually put their money where their mouth is .
Anyway....great folk and couldn't have been more helpful.Thank you custom stocks of Sheffield.

[deejayuu]

Photo? Please!

[Seamaster]

As above mate, pictures please.

Chris

[Blackrider]

Interesting OP !
Being local, I know them quite well and have had a fair number of their stocks over the years. I'm pretty sure I know who you delt with and he's a "top guy" !

Sad to hear of their "99 experiance" and hope it dosen't have a detrimental effect.
A few years ago, they were considering selling the business as a going concern. I'm uncertain of their current position today.

It would be extremely sad if Custom Stock were ever to, lets say "be no more" !

A good company continually fullfilling our air gunning needs, long may it continue !

[look no hands]

The stocks on the new Impact rammers still have that Custom stocks look about them, I'm not saying they are or are not making them for Impact but they sure look like the stocks of old Theoben.

I had a really helpful and nice chat on the phone with one of the staff once, the only thing that annoys me with CS is if you ask them about stocks that you've seen on older springers in the past they deny ever making them for that rifle, whether it's cost effective for them to make one or two stocks for rifles not on their list, I don't know but if they do have the inlet patterns for makes like BSA's then may be it would help them if they started offering a wider fitment range (one thing you couldn't run GINB down for) or even offer a copy service to either duplicate older stocks for rifles not in production anymore (imagine being able to get a original shaped stock that was only ever made in Beech but getting it in Walnut) or have a bespoke service to fit the customers action into their current range, I'm not running them down as I think their stocks are excellent but like already said, I wouldn't want them to go under, offering other services would add another string to their bow and may be help keep them stay afloat, I just wish I had the money and the business sense a few years ago when they first came up for sale, as I would have loved to have bought them.

Pete

[Blackrider]

The stocks on the new Impact rammers still have that Custom stocks look about them, I'm not saying they are or are not making them for Impact but they sure look like the stocks of old Theoben.

Pete

I'd say you're probably right, the business connection is already there isn't it !

[greenman]

I will take some pics when I eventually get home...couldn't help feeling that ...quote" things are not what they were" ...seems as though minnelli have have a very detrimental impact.....I think that unless things pick up he won't be around in the future.Now that would be a huge loss to us I'm sure.Such a nice guy who kept illiterating " any problems,just call" .I felt assured.

[greenman]

Be a bloody shame as I don't think that minnelli would answer our calls in the future.

[copperjacket]

I had a really helpful and nice chat on the phone with one of the staff once, the only thing that annoys me with CS is if you ask them about stocks that you've seen on older springers in the past they deny ever making them for that rifle, whether it's cost effective for them to make one or two stocks for rifles not on their list, I don't know but if they do have the inlet patterns for makes like BSA's then may be it would help them if they started offering a wider fitment range (one thing you couldn't run GINB down for) or even offer a copy service to either duplicate older stocks for rifles not in production anymore (imagine being able to get a original shaped stock that was only ever made in Beech but getting it in Walnut) or have a bespoke service to fit the customers action into their current range, I'm not running them down as I think their stocks are excellent but like already said, I wouldn't want them to go under, offering other services would add another string to their bow and may be help keep them stay afloat, I just wish I had the money and the business sense a few years ago when they first came up for sale, as I would have loved to have bought them.

Pete

I agree. I know they used to make the thumbhole stocks for the Anschutz carbines but they wouldn't supply me with one. By the same token I have a very nice left handed stock on my Bowkett HW80 that I would love to have copied for my other 80's but again no.

I don't know what machinery they have but there is a plethora of stock copying machinery on the internet so the set up costs can't be that high.

To my mind they already have the important elements to do this sort of work: Contacts, Customer service, Reputation and know how and of course good quality wood.

I know it is always easy for an outsider to tell a company what to do but...