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Posted By: Hugh Lomas Nick Makinson - 07/15/21 09:17 PM
It is with regret I must advise board members of the passing of Nick Makinson 7/12/21 at his home in Komoka, Ontario Canada. Nick was born in Birmingham England. He completed an Engineering apprenticeship in the late 60's
before going to work with his Father in Law, Benjamin Wild, Gunmaker of Price St. B'ham. Nick specialized as a machinist to the trade and was noted for the accuracy of his sleeving work. He moved to Komoka Ont. in the early 80's where he set up business repairing and regulating European Doubles. Before retirement Nick served many customers in both Canada and the U.S. transferring guns through Port Huron. Although I did not know him well we spoke on the phone a number of times.He will be missed by Family, Friends in the trade and those he served as customers.Condolences to his wife Barbara and family
Sincerely. Hugh Lomas.
Posted By: Stanton Hillis Re: Nick Makinson - 07/15/21 09:23 PM
I am saddened to hear that, Hugh. I communicated with Nick many years ago, and bought his video on the L C Smith shotgun. I had been in contact with his wife, I believe, in the last year or so, and she had told me of Nick's health issues.

Another good man gone. Thank you for passing along the sad news.
Posted By: JBLondon Re: Nick Makinson - 07/15/21 10:19 PM
Nic was a good friend and tremendous resource to me.
Posted By: FelixD Re: Nick Makinson - 07/15/21 11:17 PM
I first met Nick at a CADA show in the western Chicago suburbs in the spring of 1990. Nick was standing at the Double Gun Journal table and quite freely answered all my questions about doubles. He worked on several Guns I had acquired and always delivered quality work and solid information to a then younger shooter. He was a good man with tolerance for those who wanted to know more. I’ll miss I’m.
Posted By: gunut Re: Nick Makinson - 07/16/21 12:27 AM
Thanks for posting Hugh.....
Posted By: canvasback Re: Nick Makinson - 07/16/21 12:55 AM
I met him a few times at his shop. I saw excellent work and a very nice gentleman. RIP
Posted By: L. Brown Re: Nick Makinson - 07/16/21 10:42 AM
Sad news.
Posted By: Aficionado Re: Nick Makinson - 07/16/21 11:19 AM
A good man who did fine work. RIP.
Posted By: LeFusil Re: Nick Makinson - 07/16/21 03:05 PM
Sad news indeed. Really hate hearing about these ultra talented and extremely knowledgeable fellas passing on or retiring. I did not know Mr. Mackinson personally, but had several really good conversations with him over the years. His barrel work was fantastic, he was also superb in being a jobber, he could fix about anything. One area that I, and others were particularly impressed with was his barrel browning & white. I’m not sure if he actually did the browning or if he sent it out, but it was absolutely fantastic. The perfect “chocolaty plum” color with plenty of contrast.

I wish guys like Mackinson would’ve taken on an apprentice or two and passed on all of their superb knowledge and skills to carry on for the next generation of shooters.
Posted By: Montana Re: Nick Makinson - 07/16/21 04:32 PM
As my gunsmith on older doubles, Nick was fantastic with metal. His barrel color process was mostly in-house tucked away in a purpose-built area. I especially loved the result he coaxed from a MacNaughton hammer gun. For my Blanch hammer ejector, rather than “fix” the fiddly miniature ejector box, Nick built a more robust replacement from scratch giving me back the original for my jewelry box. We met countless times in Port Huron and had a couple memorable visits at his home. I must say I miss Barbara’s cooking! Nick will be missed. He is the one that taught me a gun is a system; mess with one part and the rest have to be looked after as well.

There are so many stories….

Nick once worked over a Wm Powell 20 bore for me. He really struggled with the ejectors but ultimately told me to just keep a flattened wooden match handy to position the outermost rod. He disliked the wood on that gun enough to mess with it using watercolors over the years.

He was the master of annual maintenance. I am convinced the life of my guns has been extended. He eventually obtained a microscope to help root out rust, for example. It was his idea to always make an extra set of firing pins once he dialed in length on the first pair. He also taught me the value of getting my shipping boxes just so and set up for repeat use.

Getting Nick shells with which to test guns was not always easy. Sometimes a gun case went through carrying them. And, when testing, he had acres of tobacco and corn fields near by.

I had a problem with the handling of a re-barreled Stephen Grant. Knowing intimately what my other Grants felt like in hand, Nick iteratively back-honed the 1970s era barrels. He didn’t love the fact the sweetened barrels were no longer in proof but I still had the originals for that.

Metal fabrication included almost anything. I do not know whose hands did the engraving but all manner of screws, springs, hammers and trigger bows came out of his shop as I needed them.

Even as we both aged, technical telephone conversations kept us engaged.
Posted By: Brittany Man Re: Nick Makinson - 07/16/21 09:05 PM
I talked to Mr. Makinson a long time ago at OGCA when the meeting were still in Columbus, OH. He seemed to be a fine & knowledgeable fellow.

A comment he made in one of the articles he wrote for the Doublegun Journal always stuck with me.

I'm paraphrasing here but his comment was that he frequently received cased guns with the case straps rolled up & stored in the case "presumably for a rainy day" and the case held closed only by the clasp & that when the case popped open & spilled the contents onto a hard surface it would be a "truly rainy day for the owner".

Subtle British humor.
Posted By: bavarianbrit Re: Nick Makinson - 07/17/21 04:52 PM
We are diminished.
Another trained Brummie gone.
Posted By: Roy Hebbes Re: Nick Makinson - 07/17/21 06:42 PM
With Nick's passing I lost a friend of almost 40 years. Not only was Nick a first class gunmaker he was also an avid gardener and Mason. Over the years I visited Nick's shop and home many times. Some times the visit was to discuss a gun related project but almost always afterwards a discussion on the Birmingham Gun trade would follow. In summer time we would tour Nicks garden, his floral displays were exceptional.
Nick's skill and ability will be missed by the gun collecting and hunting fraternity, but he will also be missed because of his friendly and welcoming approach to customers.
R.I.P. Nick
Posted By: Olgrouser Re: Nick Makinson - 07/18/21 08:02 PM
Between Nick Makinson and fellow Brummie Arthur Troth passing we have lost a pair of fine craftsmen. Gentleman of another era. [edited]
Posted By: Calgary Bill Re: Nick Makinson - 07/18/21 10:20 PM
I've known Nick dating back to the 80's and have visited his shop several times. And, of course, he did a number of double gun projects for me.
His work was first class and he and his wife always made my visits enjoyable.
Posted By: gil russell Re: Nick Makinson - 07/19/21 01:55 AM
Montana: What a nice tribute. None of us could ask for more! Gil
Posted By: canvasback Re: Nick Makinson - 07/19/21 09:28 PM
Originally Posted by Olgrouser
Between Nick Makinson and fellow Brummie Arthur Troth passing we have lost a pair of fine craftsmen. Gentleman not of another era.


Damn. I had not heard of Mr Troth’s passing. Another smith I had used and who did some fine work on one of my guns. Also, another gentleman. We are poorer for their passing.
Posted By: Ken Georgi Re: Nick Makinson - 07/22/21 03:45 PM
I'm very sorry to hear of Nick's passing. Nick performed some repair work on a couple of my guns six or seven years ago He was always super to deal with and did top notch work. I later picked up a custom bolt gun that he created. I called him to get some details on the gun, and following the call, he graciously sent me some pictures of my gun being exhibited at what looks like the Safari club show a decade or so earlier. He also included a trade label which was really a cool touch.

I didn't know Nick well, but all my interactions were really good ones. I will miss him.

Ken
Posted By: KY Jon Re: Nick Makinson - 07/22/21 07:29 PM
Sad to have another Smith pass. Rip. Comfort to his family.
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