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Forums10
Topics38,939
Posts550,924
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Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 465
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 465 |
No argument from me. The top craftsmen of today are producing firearms that are almost unequaled in the past. Still, there is something about the old timers, a patina of history, that cannot be recreated.
Jerry Liles
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,405 Likes: 16
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,405 Likes: 16 |
Now I understand what you meant Michael. And believe me, you are more of a participant than, by far, than most! As I've often said, when I want to do something new, I always look to the past. You have brought more of the best of the past into this century than all be a very few. You are the flag bearer for another renaissance! We are going to see a new batch of custom '03 Springfields showing up any day now.
And thanks Joel, that book has been more than a wonder to me...
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 231
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 231 |
The only issue I would take with what has been said, is that the men in the past had virtually no tools other than a lathe, basic hand tools and the tools they made. The modern gunmaker has many more modern tools to avoid the laborious hand labor that was so time consuming in the past[e.g. CNC Machines etc]. There is still plenty of hand labor in fine gunmaking but not nearly as much as in the past.As a result I find what they did, with what they had, amazing given the results. Just my opinion Jerry
The Sons of Alvin Linden
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 262
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 262 |
Much of "no machinery" is a myth. While they didn't have CNC they did have stock pantographs, mills, etc. As I've mentioned before I have examined Pope's machines which were antiquated as compared to G&H's machine which I also got to see. My favorite was Pope's arrangement for cutting gain twist which essentially was controlled by cord wrapped around a cone.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 704
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 704 |
No gunsmithing schools before WWII.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,405 Likes: 16
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,405 Likes: 16 |
The biggest advantage we have is the ability to study earlier work.
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,672 Likes: 4
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,672 Likes: 4 |
The guns and gunsmiths today are amazing but there is nothing like the patina and legend of days gone by...even though it might tinged with myth and a dose of bs.
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 262
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 262 |
No gunsmithing schools before WWII. True, but there was the apprentice system. My favorite retired gunsmith was an apprentice for a great metalsmith with whom I had a gun store in the early 60s.
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,111 Likes: 40
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,111 Likes: 40 |
A lot of the CNC work I currently see done has to do with scope bases which, it seems to me, were not that much of a consideration 70-80 years ago. Don't get me wrong, watching this forum for almost 2 years now has grown an appreciation in me for these classic guns. But it seems most of the work was in the stocking, metal work took a back seat to woodwork because there was little reason to get involved in it. Lyman sights screwed on or were dovetailed in, scope mounts were screwed on. These days guys get much more involved with how scopes mount, how sling swivels mount, rear sights, integral ribs, etc, Not saying it was never done in the older days, just wasn't as prominent as it is now. Am I wrong?
My problem lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income. - Errol Flynn
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 629 Likes: 1
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 629 Likes: 1 |
The biggest advantage we have is the ability to study earlier work. I agree. This and the ease with which we can study the work of the past... and the present as well. The ease of sharing ideas with contemporary craftsmen is also significant. We also have superior tools now, but this does not make the work better, only more affordable. I do think the art of the engraver has reached heights never before seen. Glenn
There is no sacrifice too great for someone else to make.
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