doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Ken Hurst's Baker Engraving Pictures

Mr. Ken asked that I post some pictures of his fine engraving work on a down and out Baker and the pictures speak for themselves. Ken's one of the great folks sharing his decades of know-how with us and I'm most appreciative. Sometimes it's a specific tip, like the use of krazy glue to stablize furry checkering or just a word of encouragement. Thanks Ken!...anyway, enjoy.

From Ken's e-mail:
"I liked the idea of showing a rough frame and the stages you go thru to bring it back to a better than factory finish. Originally , I planned only to anneal, draw file and polish the action out to a nice finish . When I got to that point, I said to myself, self, why not cut a few lines and it all went down hill from there. Keep in mind that these pictures are just snap shots , also the detail isn't finished but will be after stockwork is completed. I want to use this piece as an example of what can be done to an action that is mechanically sound but hurting cosmetically. Get um cheap and build yourself a bespoke gun."

This looks like it is going to be a very nice upgraded gun. Great work, Ken!
JAS

Now THAT there is some decent work. Congrats on the Beast to Beauty treatment. I find Ken's acanthus leaves to be especially good at tying the different elements together. T'aint easy, even in wood, let alone that funny hard stuff whot's not a tree.

And he's just a young sprout, yet. Better git y'r orders in now. ;~`)

Ken:
This is a good example when an older gun can be upgraded. Very nice, I love your work. Ralph

Very nice! Thanks for shareing.

-brian

Thanks guys. I just wanted to show what an old gun that was offered to me before it was trashed for parts or the junk bin could be turned into. There are so many dbl's out there that can be rescued for a song --- stocked to "your" needs with a blank of "your" choice. If you are fortunate enough to be good with your hands, you could fit a semi inletted stock yourself. You certainly could send the sction off for annealing which makes hand polishing very easy for you to do. Gun scratching as we all know really isn't necessary but if'n you have a hankering for some, the time to get it done is after you stock the piece. Be sure to give lots of thought to what you really would like to see the gun look like ---- once you have come to realize what you find most attractive in your minds eye, have it done. However, first you must contact various engravers , preferably ones whose work mirrows what you find most appealing. Write or call these guys and ask for pictures of their recent work, they will'should be happy to email you various pictures of their work. Once you have the engraving done, all you need to do is have the desired finish applied. As an engraver, I have preferences as to who I would send work to as most engravers do. Let the engr. be a guide as he has probably used his sources for many many pieces & knows their track record.

I have been buying/trading for the beaters for years and will continue to. I do always insist that the gun be sound mechanically unless the problem is a small one such as dents in bbl, buggered screws & so forth. These problems really aren't problems if they can be easily and inexpensively resolved. If you choose to walk the same path as I have chosen, good luck with your project. If I can ever be of help with any of my sources, please contact me, I'll be happy to help. ken

Ken absolutely GREAT work! How many trips to the ABC store to complete this work of art?

Jim

Jim, at one time I did drink ---- "LOTS" . I was up to a fifth to a qt. a day of home nade or vodka if I was short on corn squeezings.. However, got rid of that wife & the drinking went with her --- been close to 16 years sober now. This in itself is rather remarkable coming from an ol southern boy who use to make and age and run this stuff. Glad you liked the scratching Mr Jim. Ken

If there something ejoyable in our "hobby" is the art of making a piece of steel look like a piece of life.
An absolutely beautiful work Mr. Ken...I hope my bonus is big enough to send one of mine your way.

Regards,

Enrique.

Beautiful, and congratulations on your turn-around!