I was going to wait untill today to comment on this beautiful rifle... but you were seeking medical treatment when I showed up...
A friend once spoke about a "breathtaking, piece of birds eye maple" that he had on a gun. Other folks I know who saw it confirmed his description... they said the first time you saw it, you could stare at it for what seemed like hours, as you allowed the light to roll across it. He carried it hunting in 9 states without ever putting a scratch on it. Im pretty sure he tucked it in every night like his other children. He loved it that much.
On a mounted elk hunt in colorado, he climbed from his horse, and somehow, had managed to leave the cover off of the gun scabbard. he said he was just getting things arranged to relieve himself, when he heard the horse winnie. Looking back, he watched as the horse, aparantly lashing out at an offending insect, dragged the bridel, and bit across the exposed butt and cheek piece no less than a half dozen times. He said he dosent think he could have done more damage if he had hung it from the ceiling and attacked it with a chainsaw. It laid on the bench in the shop for a little while, but he eventually had to get rid of it because every time he looked at it he got depressed.
Guess all im saying is take good care of it, but expect a few knicks along the way... or when the big one happens, its a little like being cheated on by your supermodel girlfriend... pretty to look at but kinda damaged goods /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Heres to hopeing she shoots as well as she looks! In the meantime, good luck on your recovery /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
