Guns on Pegs is holding a virtual gunmakers night via YouTube.

You will love trying to figure out how many angels are sitting on the head of this pin.

Thanks for that video CZ. I think that would certainly fit the definition of gun porn.

There were several little things that got my attention, aside from the near perfect execution of metal and stock work. At about 1:09, the view of the ends of the breech of a shotgun depicted what appears to be pretty thin chamber wall thickness, compared to most of what we are used to seeing. It made me think we must generally enjoy a fair margin of safety.

Then at around 3:55, I was surprised to see the low level of flame being used as the heat source for soldering the bottom rib on a set of chopper lump barrels.

I paid close attention to the excellent fit of wood to metal on all of the guns. But I don't understand why some were built with the wood perfectly flush with the metal, while others had the wood uniformly proud of the metal. Not sure if that was an indication of different stockers at work, or due to customer requests.

I wish we knew if Peter Hofer was the engraver on all of these guns, or if there were several artisans employed in engraving. I was struck by the diverse nature of the subject matter utilized, from traditional game scenes, to nudes, to damascus with gold inlay, to cloisonne, to outer space scenes. The variety makes me think there had to be several different engravers doing these guns, and some of the subject matter had me wondering how much LSD they had used in their errant youth. I mean, who thinks to commission a gun with scorpions, butterflies, or depictions of large rhinocerous beetles that look like something out of an entomology textbook. I could live without the colorized cloisonne engraving, but the level of talent and artistry are incredible. He seems partial to sidelevers, but that skeletonized top lever on the 6.5 x 57R single shot rifle was awesome.

Really stunning craftsmanship. I admit that I don’t know much about Hofer. My favorite configuration displayed was a SxS with what looked like a .22 hornet barrel concealed under the shotgun tubes. I can think of several situations where that would be a handy combination. I wonder how much of a weight penalty the a small rifle barrel adds.

One of the better videos on YouTube.

I thought it an appropriate addition to the best gun discussion.

Guns on pegs went virtual this year with gun makers night in London, and all of the top makers have their little marketing piece posted up on YouTube courtesy of guns on pegs.

I’m not even sure what some of those metal treatments are called.

It almost looks like cloisonné.

I have a watch that shows it’s internal workings as it runs.

I love the take on that with the shotgun locks.

Maby enameled,if they are using pure tin that would explain the mild flame the Gold background is gold inlaid and shaded ,unbelievable work

Does it qualify as best?

Has anyone ever run into someone that took a Peter Hofer to the line? Are they durable?

I would think they are best guns on everyway I don't run in the circles that would buy these guns.

He has just a few customers, mostly from The Middle East. Hofer has the distinction of making the most expensive works of art (guns) in the world.

beautiful to me a better gun than Fox ,LC Smith ,Parker Boss H&H purdy made. Better materials design and finish

Simcgunner, great gun but cost as much as a house in my neighborhood ,so really isn't an option for most people so I guess I'll have to stick to my scott Parker lcsmith.you get the theme right?

Presenting that video for gunmakers night, is a lot like Ken Hunt posting engraving examples on engraving forums.

It’s a very subtle way of telling the rest of the people in your industry, who you think is the best.

And then showing it.

I took it to be a .17 HMR cartridge

The above is as may be, but all these manufactures firstly make guns for using with some level of reliability. These eye candy guns are firstly extremely expensive works of of art, I can not see a person taking one of these guns using it for a number of days in the field and taking a chance what the weather and circumstances may throw at it, with may be a £1000 a scratch down the drain. Some of the above makers have their products a hundred years or more still being used today for what they where built for. I am sure none of those fine works of art would not look as good as they do today in lets say a hundred years of continuous use. IMHO these are guns embellished with fine works of art not to be confused with fine hand built guns made to be used for sport.
Both are examples of fine craftsmanship and as different as chalk and cheese, though only time will tell, but if I did have to place a bet on whose guns would come out the best after a hundred years of use my money would be on those makers at the top of this post..

Be that as it may, I'm still trying to regain my breath after seeing the .410 with the woodcock all over it. Best rendition of woodcock I've ever seen cut into steel.