Does anyone have knowledge of a rifle builder named Harry Lawson? Late of Tucson, AZ.

[Xerothermic]

A shop, James 410, has three interesting rifles that seem to be straight pulls. Two are righty with LH stocks and one, the one I'm interested in, is a lefty. Beautiful wood on all three. The actions appear to have two sets of four lugs on the front of the bolt.

Anyways, I've looking a little history on the builder to satisfy my curiosity.

 

[wedgy]

https://lawson-harry-gunsmithing.hub.biz/

 

[butchlambert]

A well known smith, but his work was too gaudy for me. I haven't heard anything about him in years.

 

[msalm]

Definitely a Lawson. Looks like it has one of his signature safeties in the trigger bow behind the trigger.

 

[SSL]

Lawson style on 1903 Springfield.

 

[nakneker]

Growing up in Arizona I’d see him and his work at just about every big gun show, I believe he was out of Tu son. It was beautiful stuff, maybe not for everyone but I always spent a few extra minutes at his table hoping and wishing. That was decades ago, haven't much of his work in many years. I’ve never owned one. Not much help I’m afraid.

 

[paul castelli]

While his work is iconic it is not to everyones tastes. "Flamboyant" seems appropriate. But if I ever hit the winning powerball ticket his work will be on the shopping list, I've seen some staggeringly beautiful stocks
from his shop.
https://mcmillanusa.com/shop/browse...ly-stock-models/lazzeroni-thumbhole-flat-top/

 

[tmwinds]

Harry Lawson is deceased.

 

[Steve morgan]

Harry Lawson is deceased.

He has a son still doing gun work

 

[Kurz]

 

[1lessdog]

A rifle I built yrs ago, copying the Harry Lawson swooping recoil pad and end cap of pistol grip.

 

[WSnyder]

They were all over the place in the 70’s and 80’s here. I knew many that had them and a few that still do. I finished a couple of 80% blanks for friends back in the early 80’s. Supposedly his son and a partner are still operating. They don’t answer the phone. I haven’t driven by to see if they are actually still there.

Oh, that stock style was called the “Cochise”.

 

[ArtinNC]

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I have a gun with his stock . in 222 Remington , I'll see if I can find the picture .

 

[wbnash]

An old friend of mine recently passed away. He had several rifles done by Sterling Davenport in Tucson. Sterling used to do stock work for Harry Lawson. Sterling passed away several years ago.

I am helping my buddy's widow identify the rifles. Harry Lawson is also gone, but his son Randy is apparently around and doing some gunsmithing.

Do any of you folks have contact info on Randy, Sterling's son, or for anyone here in Tucson that could help identify the craftsman of these rifles?

Thanks...

 

[Sniperhandle]

I have one of his rifles. One of the notable features of these rifles is a trigger guard with a push button trigger blocking safety. Also many of them have his own sleek bolt shroud, And of course the radical looking thumbhole stocks with high gloss finishes.

 

[WSnyder]

Do any of you folks have contact info on Randy, Sterling's son, or for anyone here in Tucson that could help identify the craftsman of these rifles?

As I said previously, they don’t answer the phone and haven’t for a long time. I still haven’t driven by to see if there are any signs of life. My cousin has a shop 2-3 minutes from there and I’m only 10-15 away so I should give it a try sometime.