Mr. Montana Man
Golly dear, you sure seem to cast a large shadow, but I do find you interesting. I'm betting you are a man to ride the river with once someone gets to know you.
I have been collecting fine firearms for over 45 years and while I am aware of Mr. Petrov's fine collection [Wonderful indeed!], I and my close friends have been buying along side he and Monte Mandarino, Terry Buffum and the other older fellows that have been around a good number of years.
Wow, I see why you are a bit crusty. If you have spent most or all of your time in the Treasure state you have seen a fair piece. Those are some pretty high powered names in the world of early custom rifles, some of whom I have met. May I humbly ask if you have any pictures you could share of rifles you or your friends have? I grew up in an era where there were a few of these custom rifles from famous early custom builders around but this poor country boy could never afford one and really never got to look at many in the flesh when I was young. Mostly I just read about them and marveled at the pictures of them. Now that I'm older I still can't afford most of them but I sure do like to touch them and even marvel at pictures of them.
Accordingly I don't think I will be lectured to by a single shot gunsmith who prices a 1903 Remington Sporter for $875 that can be be purchased on the auction sites frequently for $450-$550. Because, I can only assume, it was YOURS. It certainly wasn't because it possessed any special quality or even an above average degree of workmanship.
I'm not quite sure what you mean when you say "I can only assume, it was YOURS". Actually I am sure I remember when Mr. Hughes bought that rifle. It was posted on one of the forums and there was quite a discussion about it. I'm sure when he was trying to sell it he said he didn't know who had done the work but that it was done well. In all fairness I believe he did offer it for $775.00 and whether he got that I recon only him and the buyer know for sure. Whether it was worth it is a very subjective thing. Evidently it was to at least one person. If you have been buying fine firearms for fort-five years I would guess there was at least once when you overpaid for something and at least once when you stole it or at least got a very good bargain. It seems that is the way it works for most folks anyway. Hopefully you have got more bargains than the reverse.
I have read this blog for years and have refrained from joining in because of this very reason... syncophants... and rah rah boys that break their arm patting each other on the back, but can't take polite discourse that is not in agreement with the "IN CROWD".
Jimminy, anyone who can use a word like
syncophants must be a well read cowboy. I had to look it up to sure of what it means. Not sure I still see how it totally applies here but no mind. I hope that now that you have joined you will help out in discussions about fine firearms. I would surely hate to see anyone with as much experience as yourself refrain from passing on your knowledge. I myself can also live with opinions as long as they are stated as such.
The next time I'm in Livingston and I see you and Morris Hallowell with your neatly creased dude hats in town, I'll come on over an introduce myself. YOU haven't drank with real cowboys ever
Having never seen Morris with any headgear I am trying to get a picture of what you description would look like. I have drank with a few REAL cowboys, although not as strong a drink as they did for personal reasons. A couple of these had spent lots of time on the rodeo circuit. One in particular stands out in my mind. Last time I saw him he was 82, had broken nearly every bone in his body and his back looked like a railroad track from all the operations he had. But it was obvious he still loved life and a gent about one-fourth his age admitted in court he was a bit afraid of him. There was a real cowboy and I was proud to be a friend of his. oh, he wore a straw hat most of the time.
I didn't join to be like YOU, I joined to tell you THE RIFLE IN THE RACK MAY NOT BE THE ONE MR. PETROV BOUGHT.
I really hope that isn't the only reason you joined. Lets forget about that particular rifle until Mr Petrov has a chance to evaluate it further when it is in his hands. Please participate in future discussions about fine firearms. I especially look forward to hearing your experiences with the early custom rifles whatever they may be.
