I had a few phone conversations with him early about custom guns and gunsmithing techniques. Then I met him at one of the Gun Makers and Engravers Guild shows, probably around '84 or so. Always helpful, but never one to pull punches if you asked for an opinion!
He was also one who testified before Congress in 2002(?) in an attempt pushed by the NRA to relieve small output custom makers & gunsmiths from the Fed Excise Tax placed on those guns. The result of that hearing and Congressional back and forth was that custom makers/gunsmiths that produced fewer than 50 units/yr were not subject to the Fed Excise Tax on the custom 'mfg'd' firearms. (Build #50 and you are then on the hook for that one and the other 49 from that calendar yr.)
Manufacturing a Firearm for the purposes of Federal Excise Tax is defined differently than the GCA68 definition of Manufacturing a Firearm Simple sporterizing an existing firearm, restocking, rebbl'g, engraving, non orig type refinish etc are all considered 'Manufacturing a Firearm when dealing with Fed Excise Tax.
If that original rule has stood, then the FET on a gunsmiths custom build would be due from that 'maker' and it would most certainly be passed along to the customer when it became time to pay for the job. FED is 10 or 11% of the value of the completed firearm depending on whether it's a long gun or handgun. It can add up very fast. The BATF has been put in charge of the business of FET on Firearms and Ammo by the IRS. So you deal with them,,again.
recently, on one forum or another, SDH had posted a comment regarding his health issues - while i cannot quote him - the gist was that he was paying the price for too many years of exposure to fumes, solvents, dust and other air born contaminants, with disregard for his basic personal protection. i don't imagine that he was alone in doing so.
another sign of expertise, from a different angle.... wisdom from a genuine craftsman, as useful as any of his other instructions.
I think back in the day chemicals and wood dust destroyed one's lungs over the long term. Kind of a silent killer. I knew two fellows who worked in Armory working on military weapons of various types for 40 plus years. Within two years of retirement, both had passed from either lung of cancer issues. In the opinion of most it was related to working with chemicals their entire lifetime in confined spaces. Think of Black Lung in the day. My wifes grandfather worked in the coal mines for 40 years. black lung killed him over time. Was just outside of Scranton Pa.
A few years ago he agreed to tighten up a wobbly hammer on an old Ed Kettner 12 gauge. I drove to Livingston to drop it off and he ended up spending a few hours showing me around his shop area, looking through his photography and he brought out a custom gun to drool over. Very kind of him. We shared a few acquaintances (close friends to him), most of whom I hadn't seen for many years, and he spoke very kindly about them. When I picked the gun up, he went over how he fit the hammer in detail, bade me to take good care of the gun "because this thing's really old!" and I replied "Well, it was made after the turn of the century" and he barked back "yeah, the turn of the LAST century!!" and laughed a bit.
He was also one who testified before Congress in 2002(?) in an attempt pushed by the NRA to relieve small output custom makers & gunsmiths from the Fed Excise Tax placed on those guns. The result of that hearing and Congressional back and forth was that custom makers/gunsmiths that produced fewer than 50 units/yr were not subject to the Fed Excise Tax on the custom 'mfg'd' firearms.
Kutter, thanks for noting one of many ways the NRA has helped to protect and defend our Gun Rights. Here's a link to another big victory the NRA-ILA won to reverse registration of suppressors and short barreled rifles and shotguns just last week in a Federal Court lawsuit.
Unfortunately, we still have a number of gun owners who go along with the Democrat's attempt to denigrate and destroy the NRA... even though they themselves benefit greatly from the hard work the NRA has done to preserve the 2nd Amendment. You can't fix stupid.
I can't make an informative post without trying - and failing - to trigger angry reactions from people who are smarter than me. I also don't pay off on my bets.
We know.
Even worse, you couldn't resist the opportunity to try to do that on this topic, that is supposed to be a tribute to a departed member.
ACGG did a great interview with Steve, and you can watch it here. The video begins with an introduction from Doug Turnbull then the interview with Steve begins. His commitment to teaching was so admirable.
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