All this reminds me of my late friend Clovis LeJune,from 1968-9, in Columbus Ga. I was in his shop one night when a customer came in with a Rem. 11-48, saying he couldn't hit with it any more. June said "I can see your problem from here, your barrel is bent".The customer asked if he could replace the barrel.June said he could and could have the barrel within a week,for $48.The dove season was opening the next morning, so the time frame wasn't fast enough.June said he could repair it, that night, for $25.The customer said to do it and June cleared off a space on his workbench, to lay the barrel on. He reached under the bench and withdrew a short piece of 2x4.He held the barrel up, looked down it, lay it back on the bench,hit it with the 2x4,and went through the process again.He was then satisfied, put the gun back together, and gave the customer an empty oil can to place on a stump outside the side shop door.He loaded the gun with 2 shells and had the customer shoot the can.It was centered by the pattern, both shots.The told the customer,"OK, that will be $25". The customer balked, saying "You mean to charge me $25 for hitting my barrel twice with a 2x4?". June replied" No, that was free, I'm charging you for knowing where and how hard to hit it".I miss June.
Mike
