Black Range Fabrik, “the factory”, with a nod to the Krupp works of Essen, is the workshop side of what we do. Custom stockmaking, stock repair, bedding, traditional rust bluing, caustic bluing and firearm restoration are all in a day’s work.
What we do
- Stockmaking: custom rifle stocks in NZ English walnut, stock repairs, checkering, rifle bedding, stock alterations.
- Bluing & metal finishing: traditional rust bluing and barrel work, caustic bluing
- Restoration & repair: stocks, checkering, finishes and metalwork.
Stockmaking
Custom rifle stocks fabricated from NZ English walnut and NZ walnut, in traditional or post-war US styling. Butt-plate, grip thickness and butt length are all made to you, then finished with a hand-rubbed oil that draws out the figure of the timber — and makes future dent and scratch repairs far easier.
Bluing & metal finishing
Traditional rust bluing for a deep, hard-wearing, muted-gloss finish, or caustic bluing for post-war look. Barrel and action restoration and refinishing is completed by hand, with pits and marks worked down with careful file work, polishing stone and paper to keep edges crisp, lines straight and lettering clear. Laser restoration of any lettering or marks ensures it’s as new.
Restoration & repair
Cracked stocks and breaks, checkering repair and repointing, finish restoration and touch-up, oil removal from aged firearms, and dowel pinning for structural repairs. Old and inherited firearms brought back to life and made functional, and beautiful again.
Selected work
A Brno Model 2 restocked in NZ English walnut with a traditional rust-blue finish, matched to a client’s Schultz & Larsen. A Sako heirloom reproduced to its original dimensions and aesthetic in NZ walnut with a hand-rubbed oil finish. A cracked stock repaired through oil extraction, lateral pinning and checkering work — “the owner of the gun is delighted.” Follow projects in progress on our Facebook page.
Frequently asked questions
What timber do you use for stocks?
NZ English walnut and NZ walnut — English genes, grown in New Zealand — finished by hand with rubbed oil to bring out the figure and make future dent and scratch repairs easier.
Can you restore an old or inherited firearm?
Absolutely yes. Cracked cheeks and breaks, worn checkering, tired finishes, decades of soaked-in oil are all . Restoration and repair is a core part of the workshop.
Do you take on custom stock builds?
Can do. Custom stocks made to your dimensions, from butt length and grip thickness to butt-plate and styling, in traditional or post-war US patterns. You dream it, we’ll do it.
Do you finish stocks and projects?
Absolutely. If you’ve got a stock that needs checkering, or an 98% inletted rifle stock that needs completing, we’re very happy to discuss
Pillar bedding, action bedding and barrel floating
Eke every last bit of accuracy out of your rifle build with pillar and action bedding.
Have a project in mind?
Tell us about the firearm and what you’d like done.
Related
Beyond the workshop, we also handle firearm imports, exports and parts. Contact us to discuss a project.