Mr. Oberlies was apparently quite proud of his buttplates. I don't quite know how they were made, but I never thought of them as amateurish. I suspect that the brass ones were cast from a mold, but how were the steel ones made? They show a bit more character than a Niedner plate or a recoil pad bought from a catalog. Of course, that's just me.
I suppose I could bring myself to live with one of his buttplates as long as he didn't mark it with CURSIVE SCRIPT in such an awkward-looking manner. The use of cursive in such an application is one example of what My Grandmother would have termed 'common', and IMO is what many art critics would consider to be of the Primitive School. Fine for some folks but not what I prefer.
Oberlies' rifles are certainly fine enough to justify engraved heel and toe plates and IMO it's a shame he didn't use them. Another good alternative butt treatment would be horn heel and toe plates with appropriate carving if wanted. I agree that the typical Niedner plate is rather cheap-looking but there are several Guild members who make some very attractive and obviously higher-class plates. And covering a recoil pad with pigskin is not too difficult for the heavy kickers. There are fifty ways that IMO are more attractive than the one shown, sorry. But like the Madam said to the Bishop, "You pays your money and you takes your choice!"
Just wish I had the money....
Regards, Joe
