Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Gunsmithing F R Butler gunsmith

Floyd Butler was a gunsmith who worked from his home in Raceville, NY. He lived from 1897 thru 1987. He used Poultney VT as a address as it was the nearest post office.

Here are some pictures and links to Floyds work. He made some customs for me on Highwalls and other actions.

Floyd Butlers character and work made him one of the finest people ever to walk the face of this earth. Bear with me as I reminisce.



The above rifle is a 257R. Pictures taken from Gunbroker.

Earlier FR Butler online.

An excerpt from the above link:

"But the real value of a Butler rifle was knowing the character of Floyd. He lived a simple life with his wife in Raceville, NY and was most proud of playing his violin in church on Sunday. When he finished the stock on the .375 Improved that I had supplied the expensive blank on he said the work was free! He told me he made a mistake? and that the forend was a littlle too thin. I could not see what he ment and the rifle was beautiful. He would not take any money for the work and that included bluing the barreled action. Finally he said that $60 would cover it."

My FR Butler Highwall now chambered in 219 Improved Zipper. Butler made it in R2 Lovell but someone rechambered it before I got it. Its one of my most treasured guns.



The Butler Highwall in the field.

i had work done by i believe floyds grandson. he lived in north granville ny. also close to poultney vt. the grandson was buiding a lot of winning benchrest rifles at one time. he was also very good to deal with. does any one remember his name ?

Wonderful !

GTC

I thank you both for your interest in this topic.

Here is a link to a discussion of Butlers work.

The Woodchuck Hunter - Benchrest..

Was talking recently to my friend Steve Garbe,.....Editor of "Black Powder Cartridge News".

We both concurred that one of the sadder evolutions we've been seeing now, over the last 10 years or so,......the "Restoration" of original High Walls, 44 1/2s, to "Original" BPC configuration.
"Restorations" accompanied by a lot of beaking off about how the arm had been "Desecrated" into a Varmint Rig.

"Restoration" to often involving mediocre ( at best) tradesmanship,Cheap barrels, butchered extractor cuts,poorly done stockwork, etc.

These "Golden Era" Single shot Chuck Guns, by many masterful artisans of that era,are just fine the way they are,.....leave em' be, says I. Garbe agrees.

The High Wall pictured is a BEAUT !

GTC

Hi 1234,

Just spotted this post and thought I would let you know that I am Floyd's grandson that you remember. Haven't done any gun smithing since my shop burned back in 1980. I do still enjoy firearms and am always keeping an eye out for examples of my Grandfather's work. He and my Grandmother were wonderful folks.
I'm starting to teach my granchildren to safely handle and shoot firearms.

Rick

hi rick

its been a long time, you rechambered a 40x and a ruger #3 for me.hadn't gotten the last one out of your shop very long when i heard of the fire. moved to idaho in 81 and brought both rifles with me. good to hear from you and MERRY CHRISTMAS

Ed

Rick,

Merry Christmas to you.

This post brought back memories of the good old days.

There was a Floyd Butler rifle for sale on Gun Broker recently.

I searched and could not find it's link today.

It was a .22 centerfire bolt action with Floyd's famous curl by the grip.

Rick,
I have a Mauser 98 stocked by your Grandfather. It has the "curl" and he did this in 1946. I just got the rifle, the stock does not fit me given the high comb that was made for someone else. I plan to restock the rifle and wonder if someone would be interested in the stock. I can send photos of the stock.
Thanks,
John

Floyd Butler's stock work with a picture of the stock curl he did on some.

[img]www.amoskeagauction.com/105/1277.html[/img]

Click on a picture to enlarge it.