I am reviewing a list of firearms in an estate collection for a friend. I have not seen the firearms in person. Most are shotguns, .22 rifles and Winchester lever actions.

One of the rifles is listed as an H J Sites 7mm with scope. I can't find any information on this brand. Did see a bolt action custom rifle on one of the auction sites that listed it as an H J Sites.

Any information on this brand is appreciated.

Never heard of it either. Google search led me to this - Howard Sites (deceased) was a gunsmith who built custom rifles in Covington, VA.

HJ Sites (Howard) Gunsmith - Covington, VA? | Gun Values Board

Anybody know of H.J Sites — GunBroker.com Member Forums

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Straight shootin'
SWCA#2439

thanks! Great information. Live only 45 miles from Covington so it would explain it being in this collection.

What breed of 7mm? Mauser, Remington Magnum?

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Release the Kraken

Howard Sites was quite a character. I knew him from my childhood until he died in about 1983 or so. He built a custom rifle for me in 1976, which I ordered as a present to myself upon graduation from college.

He developed a style that was based on the "California" style with some influence that seemed to come from Fajan. The rifles were built on surplus Mauser actions. Mine was built on a 1936 Mexican Mauser action.

Howard was quite the advocate of short barrels; often making them 16". He tapered them fairly heavy toward the rear, with a step down to a thin barrel for about the front third. The heavy rear portion he fluted with 8 flutes. As such, he was one of the earliest custom builders to promote fluted barrels. (He claimed he "invented" fluted barrels, but of course he didn't.) He used Douglas barrel blanks. His favorite caliber was 7x57.

His stocks were roughed out on a pantograph he had made. Wood was sourced locally and dried in an outbuilding on site. He would not checker a stock, even under threat.

Howard was gregarious and fun. If you showed up at his shop at 5:00 pm he served cocktails in paper cups. He had a lot of stories to tell.

He was a heavy smoker of a pipe and cigarettes, and that's what got him. He died of lung cancer in the early '80s.

Around Covington there are many stories to tell about Howard Sites, some of which are true!

Curl

Curl,

Thanks so much!!! I hope to take a look at these firearms in person at some point. This 7mm and several others in the list of 50 are hidden gems. The collector passed 5 years ago and his wife is elderly and I am doing a preliminary valuation as a favor for a friend who is friends with The executor of the estate. These may or may not come up for sale at some future date.

Good luck on the venture.
I'd love to see some pictures of Howards gun and maybe some interesting. 22's

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Tom, if you are that close you practically are my neighbor.

Curl

Roanoke. Very familiar with your area. Do camping and trout fishing up at Hidden Valley on the Jackson and down at Lake Moomaw area. Shoot some at Low Moor. Great folks up in your area.

Cool! I live about 2.5 miles from the Low Moor shooting range.

Curl

Hello, my grandpa was close friend with Howard Sites and hunted with him at Big Lick in Covington, VA. I love all of Howard’s rifles. If you ever run across one for sale I would love a shot it buying. Any caliber and in any condition. Thank you