I am posting this for Dave Wesbrook:

"Somewhere there is a thread that compares classic cars and custom rifles. Here is my take on this. The cars are a Ferrari Enzo and a 1929 Lincoln Model L that I photographed in a "state of the art" car photography studio that I designed for a client. Enjoy."




















The rifle is a G33/40 with metalwork by Ted Blackburn. The bolt knob was engraved with a Kornbrath sunburst design by Jack Haugh. Note the "drop ledge" comb fluting on the cheekpiece side. It has become somewhat of a trademark on my Mauser stocked rifles.


















Next rifle:

A 1909 Argentine "ladies" rifle in cal 7x57 with cut rifle barrel by Rich Carns. Note the "offset to the right" single set trigger by Jack Haugh. Griffin & Howe cheekpiece. This is my personal hunting rifle and has taken a black bear and my two best whitetails:











Last rifle:

This is an 1861 Ballard engraved by Warren that I stocked in a "Singer" style stock.

I appreciate when talented people get an old classic Corvette any give it tasteful high quality modern enhancements.

http://www.luxury4play.com/ame...-do-you-think-5.html

For the Ford fans there is the stunning custom rear engined 69' Mustang[Mach 40]
http://www.eckertsrodandcustom...projects_mustang.php

Classic style rifles built in the current modern form, are exemplified by the likes of Echols Classic rifles.

Very nice rifle. What caliber and what trigger will be used?

Holy Frijoles!!! That is just incredibly beautiful!

Stocked for iron sights. Hardly gets better. Simply gorgeous.

Stephen

Dave,

Beautiful work and excellent photography!

Shane

quote:

Originally posted by Duane Wiebe (CG&R):
Dave is a master in multi disciplines!

Aboslutely, something to aspire to.

Nothing to aspire to Mike. Your stockmaking AND your metalsmithing are both top rank and you deserve greater recognition than you have received. I can hardly wait to see the take-down "switch barrels" rifles that you are working on. Your friend, Dave

That G33/40 is amazing! I want!

beautiful rifles.

As someone who has tried their hand at both photography and stockmaking, I am very impressed with Dave's skill at both.

Well I think there is a lot to aspire to here, at least for me. Both the firearms and photography. I like the looks of the G33/40 most, but want to shoot the Ballard first.

Thanks for sharing the photos.

That Enzo is off the hook...

Fabulous rifles.

Beautiful photography.

How many hours do you need in the Enzo before you solo?

Thanks for the beautiful post.

Chris

Where is Idaho Sharpshooter?
Beautiful work Dave.

I would say these pics prove that Dave not only knows his way around a shutter but also a chisel. Very clean work on all levels. Nicely done Mr Wesbrook

Dave,

The offset trigger on your rifle is neat, care to share the story behind it?

Mike, Because I reduced the vertical depth through the action on this rifle by about 1/4" a normal trigger just wouldn't work. Jack designed and built a single set, single pull trigger that will fire either by simply pulling the trigger or by pushing the trigger forward to set the "hair" trigger if you have the time. The trigger is offset to the right to provide better access to your finger and the wide pad (trigger shoe) is also angled slightly to provide better contact with the pad of your trigger finger. By the way, with the 2 1/2 power scope the rifle shoots 3/4" 3 shot groups at 100 yards all day long. Dave

Wow. Wonderful work on the rifles.

You have a west-coast grip if you ever need one...just PM. I can't stop checking out these pics... just beautiful work.

I dont know about ya'll, but that Lincoln is a stunner!

Congratulations David. You have successfully debunked the old motto: Those who can do, those that can't teach. Not only can you do, you can teach too!

Seriously, well done and I love the skill you show. Thanks my friend.

Dave,

your attention to detail is tops in your photography and your gun making. Keep up the great work! Let me know when you need good wood for upcoming projects.

LUX

I really like the lines on your rifles, especially the first series of pics! The flow of that rifle is superb. I might have missed it but what was the caliber of that rifle? Very fine work!

The caliber of the G33/40 is .280 Remington.

Dave,

if you need another G33/40 action I have one.
The quality of your photos has me rethinking how we take photos here at the factory. Thank you for sharing!
LUX

Both vehicles are fantastic but in my opinion Dave's rifles are most like the Lincoln in that they are superbly built in a classic style that will never go out of style.

Although I have handled his rifles and they probably handle more like the Ferrari.

Shared this with a friend here this morning who is into guitars and wants to take nice photos of them. Seems a similar problem (but obviously not to Dave) exists with rifle and guitar photography, the shapes and the length.

He oohed and aahed and about the first thing he said after saying how stunning the top rifle is was "where's the trigger?"

I was mighty embarassed I hadn't noticed it was missing!

He was very impressed with the photography and the subjects.

Cheers, Chris

Chris, To legally show at a gunshow in Texas the firearm is suppose to be disabled and not capable of firing. The trigger was removed to show at DSC two years ago. The rifle has a Blackburn trigger with a modified trigger shoe. I probably should have replaced it and then re-photographed the rifle,but I was happy with these photos and didn't. TUFF CROWD HERE. ...Dave

Dave, not an ounce of criticism here.

I have gone through these photographs many times and I never noticed the absence of the trigger!

Interesting what the mind fills in for some of us!

Best wishes, Chris

Chris, Valid observation. Several others have also noticed it. Dave

Beautiful rifles! No criticism, but one of the 1st things I noticed was the absence of the trigger. Figured it wasn't there for a reason, interesting law, sounds more like a CA or NY bullshit law, rather than a TX requirement.

You don't have to remove the triggers in Texas, just make them inoperative.

Butch, You are correct. I saw only three ways to make the rifle inoperative. #1: Using a nylon "pipe tie"around the bolt knob to prevent working the bolt (but that looks shity.) #2: Replacing the firing pin with one whose tip is broken off. #3: Removing the trigger, which is what I did. I am open to any other suggestions. ...Craigster,Texas is a very gun,and people,friendly state. Not at all like Ca.or NY. ...Dave

Dave,
I agree with you. Taking the trigger out is a pain in the azz. I don't think that most paid that much attention to it

Butch, Pain in the ass yes,but with the number of times I have to remove and replace a barreled action while stocking it's not a big deal. Besides, it's a good excuse to go to the range and check the sites. ... Dave

Beautiful cars and even more beautiful rifles. I like the scrolls on the ballard. Did Warren Smith do that work?

Thouse are some beautiful guns there! Beautiful work, lines and execution , a lot of attention to detail! Are any of them for sale?

jcb01, Warren Smith did the engraving and gold on the top of Ralfs' G33/40. The engraving on the Ballard was done in the 1960's by a little known engraver named Floyd Warren of Concord Ohio. ...Dave

jdterrier, None of the rifles in this post are for sale. The Ballard belongs to a client,the little 7x57 is my hunting rifle and the G33/40 is a show rifle that I have turned down many offers for. In the near future however, I will be posting several Mod 70's and a Mauser whose stock blank came out of the 1987 IWA show in Nuremberg Germany that I've saved for 27 years for a "special project". The 70's and the Mauser will be offered for sale. Thanks for asking. ...Dave