STU: Lenard did not start making guns with Billingsley till 1947 he was making guns much earlier on his own, out of a saddle shop in Sheridan Wy. I have a 1903 N.R.A. SPORTER DONE BY HIM IN 1938 WITH FRENCH FLEUR DE LIS in the checkering [he was almost 17].I have also seen a Winchester Model 61 pump done by him when just barely a teen, though with the skill and execution of one much older with FDL's. Needless to say he was making guns prior to 1948 and selling guns to Californians prior to WWII. I once had the chance to buy a beautiful 03 sporter in a custom H.H. Heiser case, both built for William Boyd [Hopalong Cassidy] by Lenard in 1942 and passed on it, like an idiot. He was only 60 when he died in 1982. Hope this helps. Warmest Regards Jerry
