The Art of Leonard Meadows

[David R. Pennington]

Here are some close ups of a nice Leonard Meadows rifle a fellow club member allowed me to photograph. I got permission to share them here.

[mountainman70]

Paris 45 cal swamped barrel, Bob Roller rocklock dated 3 1971. Built around 1971. Owner thought it was built in 1965,not impossible. I think it was built in the last years of Leonards life. Sure could be considered his Magnum Opus.
More detailed specs coming shortly. Best regards,Dave F 
More pics from today.Dave
Bob Walden holding his mentors work. Bob is my mentor.I am blessed.

specs are : OAL 57 1/4"
               LOP 14"
              Drop 4 1/4"
 Barrel-Paris swamped 45 cal
    breech .917
        muzzle .843
       waist 15" from breech .796
    weight 8lbs
Lock marked Roller 3-25-71
 waist-15" from breech  .796










insurance guru

Here are pics of rifle Bob made for his dad,Merle,of St Loius,Mo in 1978. His dad never got around to shooting it, but showed it to everyone he knew.Proud of his son,I am ,too.

[Top Jaw]

I am always amazed by work that was way ahead of its time.  This fits that definition to the extreme!  Lay this next to almost any guns being made in 1971.  There were just a handful of guys doing this level of work back then, (or who could do it). Hats off to one of the obvious trailblazers, in Mr Meadows! 

[Daryl]

That's pretty special, for any age.

[mountainman70]

Amen, Daryl. Thank you. Holding this rifle is a humbling experience. Dave

[Bob Roller]

Len made a SMR for me in 1965 and medical bills forced me to sell it.
The lock shown on this one is the Chet Shoults Ketland and I made a
lot of them over a long period of time.I traded some of these locks and
double set triggers for work on the SMR.
The only other maker working in 1971 other than Leonard turning out
that quality was Tom Dawson living in Western Indiana until he passed
away in March of 1989.Probably others as well but I don't know who.

Bob Roller

[mountainman70]

New pics added today. 5 18 19 Enjoy. Dave f

[mbriggs]

That is a beautiful Davidson School North Carolina rifle.  I love the Distelfink patchbox and man in the moon inlay on the cheek rest. Thanks for posting this.

Michael Briggs

[mountainman70]

Thank you,Mike. I don't know if I can make myself shoot it,but probably will sometime soon. The Man in the moon and his 5oclock shadow are a neat touch. Best regards, Dave F

[Dennis Glazener]

Mountain man,
I am confused, what's new, is this the same rifle that David R posted above?
Dennis

Paris 45 cal swamped barrel, Bob Roller rocklock dated 3 1971. Built around 1971. Owner thought it was built in 1965,not impossible. I think it was built in the last years of Leonards life. Sure could be considered his Magnum Opus.
More detailed specs coming shortly. Best regards,Dave F 
More pics from today.Dave
Bob Walden holding his mentors work. Bob is my mentor.I am blessed.

specs are : OAL 57 1/4"
               LOP 14"
              Drop 4 1/4"
 Barrel-Paris swamped 45 cal
    breech .917
        muzzle .843
       waist 15" from breech .796
    weight 8lbs
Lock marked Roller 3-25-71
 waist-15" from breech  .796










insurance guru

Here are pics of rifle Bob made for his dad,Merle,of St Loius,Mo in 1978. His dad never got around to shooting it, but showed it to everyone he knew.Proud of his son,I am ,too.

[mountainman70]

Yes,Dennis,it is. Dave R got the good pics and we agreed for him to start the thread to post the pics, and I would fill in the info. Hope everyone isn't corn-fused. Thanks, dave

[mbriggs]

That is a beautiful Davidson School North Carolina rifle.  I love the Distelfink patchbox and man in the moon inlay on the cheek rest. Thanks for posting this.

Michael Briggs