quote:

Originally posted by Dago Red:
For those that don't know this, D'Arcy started out as a stockmaker, that was his original speciality. My understanding was he went into full rifle building because so few metalsmiths could meet his standards.

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DArcy_Echols_Co
one of us

Posted 17 May 2004 16:51 Hide Post
In the begining I started my business with a very strong emphasis towards stock making, stock duplicating and rust bluing. I soon found out that good metalsmiths were buried with work and I couldn't predict when I'd get any metal to stock. I needed to eat on a regular basis so I began my own metalwork out of survival. Today I send a limited amount of work out of my shop on a regular basis to be done to my specs by those who can do it better than I can. In the end this is a win, win situation for the client and it keeps the ball rolling while I'm doing what I do best. I have had the pleasure to work with many of todays best craftsman such as those mentioned before and others such as Bob Schniedmiller, Bret Wursten, Steve Heilmann, Gene Simillion, Duane Bolden, John Sones, David Wilson, Mitch Moschetti, Mark Penrod and have talked at length with folks such as Clay Spencer, Bruce Baer, Martin Hagn, Jim Borden, David Trevallion, Bill Shehane and a host of other gunmakers here, from the UK and from Europe.Some work only in metal, some in wood, some in fiber glass and some like Shehane only organize a project and then spank everybody with what he has orchestrated on the 1000 yard firing line. But from each of these talents you can get a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. You then try to apply what they consider vauable into your own work when and where it's applicable.I guess the point of all this is to find a niche you enjoy and strive to excel in it. Often this means putting your head in the ditch and ass in the air.

I prefer to assemble the entire rifle. This has both good and bad aspects. You get to bathe in the all the glory when things go well and conversely take a beating when things go down the toilet. When your name is on the barrel you have no one to blame as you are the company.

There is nobody I know that has screwed up as much stuff as I have. The upside to failure is education. When you do the whole project you get a solid education in a very short amount of time or you get very hungry. For some reason I still seem to flunk out on the night classes.

When you're doing the whole box of dice you never find the day boring. Long, but never boring. Sort of like fishing for Great Whites with a hand line.

quote:

Originally posted by DavidC:


Other than his Legends you don't see to many of D'Arcy's rifles. What a shame! I for one would love to see more of his work most especially his walnut stocked rifles.....


Best,
Dave

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Unlike so many other high dollar "safe-queens", when you do see D'Arcy's rifle they are usually in the hands of a serious hunter.

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quote:
DArcy_Echols_Co
one of us

Posted 17 May 2004 16:51 Hide Post
In the begining I started my business with a very strong emphasis towards stock making, stock duplicating and rust bluing. I soon found out that good metalsmiths were buried with work and I couldn't predict when I'd get any metal to stock. I needed to eat on a regular basis so I began my own metalwork out of survival. Today I send a limited amount of work out of my shop on a regular basis to be done to my specs by those who can do it better than I can. In the end this is a win, win situation for the client and it keeps the ball rolling while I'm doing what I do best. I have had the pleasure to work with many of todays best craftsman such as those mentioned before and others such as Bob Schniedmiller, Bret Wursten, Steve Heilmann, Gene Simillion, Duane Bolden, John Sones, David Wilson, Mitch Moschetti, Mark Penrod and have talked at length with folks such as Clay Spencer, Bruce Baer, Martin Hagn, Jim Borden, David Trevallion, Bill Shehane and a host of other gunmakers here, from the UK and from Europe.Some work only in metal, some in wood, some in fiber glass and some like Shehane only organize a project and then spank everybody with what he has orchestrated on the 1000 yard firing line. But from each of these talents you can get a pretty good idea of what works and what doesn't. You then try to apply what they consider vauable into your own work when and where it's applicable.I guess the point of all this is to find a niche you enjoy and strive to excel in it. Often this means putting your head in the ditch and ass in the air.

I prefer to assemble the entire rifle. This has both good and bad aspects. You get to bathe in the all the glory when things go well and conversely take a beating when things go down the toilet. When your name is on the barrel you have no one to blame as you are the company.

There is nobody I know that has screwed up as much stuff as I have. The upside to failure is education. When you do the whole project you get a solid education in a very short amount of time or you get very hungry. For some reason I still seem to flunk out on the night classes.

When you're doing the whole box of dice you never find the day boring. Long, but never boring. Sort of like fishing for Great Whites with a hand line.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
I find a couple of these photos very interesting in light of a thread that I participated in a few weeks ago.

I had posted a photo or two of a David Miller Rifle that was made from a Mauser action. Many of the posters didn't like two things about his Mauser rifles.

1. that the rear bridge was shortened such that the extractor was fully exposed on the bolt.

2. that the thumb slot was covered up by wood.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
I find a couple of these photos very interesting in light of a thread that I participated in a few weeks ago.
.