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Handmade Firearms, Holland & Holland video

In these strange and uncertain times, I thought we could all use a very relaxing and thoroughly entertaining video on the making of some of the finest firearms that ever graced a gun cabinet.

Sit back and enjoy the music perfectly matched to the classic methods and machinery of yesteryears gun making by skilled gunsmiths using old school methods, materials, tools, and in some cases, pure magic.

Though I will never have the pleasure of owning such a fine example of old world craftsmanship, I can still appreciate why they are held in such reverence.

Enjoy!
 
A friend of mine introduced me to a guy he worked with a few years back who wanted to show us a double barrel shotgun he'd bought at a garage sale. It had very nice wood and seemed to be of good quality so, he paid $250 for it. It was an H&H .416 Rigby. I've never had any luck like that. Oh well...
 
Its sad that the people that build those probably will never get to own one. Id be building them at home too. Scary to think of the hours put in on one of those real nice ones
I would bet that the craftsmen and craftswomen at Holland & Holland, Purdy and others of that caliber are handsomely compensated. Have any (besides Butchlambert) bothered to price a bespoke custom rifle from a ACGG member , or others who can and do build beautiful customs?
 
If you like a build from scratch, follow this thread by Bailey Bradshaw. http://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/760101804/m/3761057511/p/1
Bailey is more known as one of the finest custom knife makers around. This rifle was his first, but far from the last. He is taking this from forge welding the damascus for the receiver, machining every part except for the Shilen barrel blanks. He does the engraving and the stock from a blank.
Even the H&H and other European makers do not do all of this themselves. Certainly not taking anything from them at all. Check on Stu Satterlie and James Anderson. Back in the old days they built Titanium mauser receivers at their Taconic Arms Shop. They each have their own custom shops in South Dakota. https://satterleearmsrifles.com/ or James Anderson http://www.sdplains.com/~chico/EyeCandy/content/index_4.html Pictures of my 1917 Enfield in 416 Rigby. I have one of Stu's receivers, but it hasn't made it into a rifle yet.
Sorry that I hi jacked this thread, but we have some great craftsman in the old USA.
 
I consider myself a master machinist, I can figure out how to do most anything with the machines at my disposal .......but I was never the kind of craftsman that the people in this video represent.

My Dad was, but he was of another generation.


Jackie, some of us have known you for about 30years and know your skills. I would say, and maybe I'm wrong, but you may only lack Bailey's blacksmithing skills.
 
For a moment I could could smell the walnut when they were shaping the blanks.
25 years ago I was in the UK buying a few shotguns for resale. I had an old, plain H&H 30-06 double in my hands and thought about buying it. $6,000 was big money back then. I passed. No regrets but it's something I won't forget. That and a visit to one "Fine gun room" that had cased set after cased set of fine side be sides made the trip worthwhile.
 
Great video! Even those who hate guns would have to admire the craftsmanship and skill. The finished products are breathtaking.
 
.................Sorry that I hi jacked this thread, but we have some great craftsman in the old USA.

I have a signed copy of Steven Dodd Hughes book, Custom Rifles in black and white. The photography is second only to the talent of many craftsman on display in the book.

Some of the photographs are of the metal work alone. It quickly becomes evident, much like in the video, there is nothing less than perfection in these works of art.

Jim
 
Thanks for sharing. I was spending my kids college money on SxS shotguns well before I started with rifles. Nothing compares to a beautiful 7 pin sidelock. I can't seem to part with any of them even though they haven't been shot in years. I do swing them from time to time. Reminds me, I'm over due!.
 
Thanks for sharing. I was spending my kids college money on SxS shotguns well before I started with rifles. Nothing compares to a beautiful 7 pin sidelock. I can't seem to part with any of them even though they haven't been shot in years. I do swing them from time to time. Reminds me, I'm over due!.
I need a decent 28ga sxs that has an english grip and no cheekpiece or left hand and wont break the bank
 

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