I haven't spoken with him in 8 years, but if he is still living, W.D. Ballenger of Lakeland Florida does the best work on old actions I have ever seen. If it can be done he can do it. His address and phone number are:
I have plenty of gunsmiths in my area,but only one of them is competent enough to do what I want,but he is so back logged with other projects I'm affraid he'd never get to mine.
------------------ I'm out to wrong rights,depress the opressed,and generaly make an ass of myself!
Hi Brian M. Since I live 40 minutes from Robert Snapp I will support your statement that he doesn't do off the street stuff. But when I was their, about four years ago. He had 7 of those Martini's. Three done up to a point. The trigger was soooo clean and smooth and their was a saftey. His shop is not much more than a garage with three lathe's and he doesn't own a mill. It's all done on the lathe. He did say one thing " if you have to ask how much this is gonna cost, you proble can't afford it.." To me I would think if a big carrot was waved out in front of him the old rabbit might bite.... Al Siegrist in Prescott, Mi. does relining work. He is a Master in his owne right...
I spoke to Robert Snapp at the ACGG show in Reno in February, and he is still doing work on Martini's, but it's probably very pricey. However, you get what you pay for.
Posts: 3858 | Location: Eastern Slope, Colorado, USA | Registered: 01 March 2001
Al Siegrist is good, one of those guys that has made a good living for himself doing nothing but repair work Another of that caliber is Bruce MacArther @ Flint and Frizzen in Clarkston MI 1-248-625-3333
Posts: 2124 | Location: Whittemore, MI, USA | Registered: 07 March 2002
Can't say as I remember noticing that one. I grew up in the Pontiac area, dealing with Bruce, when I moved up here he suggested Al in case I needed any work done on my guns. Al has done a few things for me, and I haven't heard anything bad about him from the locals. I would like a close look at the 22lr gattling he made in his HS metalshop class, I've heard that it is sweet.
Posts: 2124 | Location: Whittemore, MI, USA | Registered: 07 March 2002
Theren is a fellow in Prescott, not Al who I worked with at Modular Machine Inc. that made one from a picture he saw. That gun was sold a few years ago. But, when you go back to Al's look up at that small muzzle load hanging above the counter. I believe he made ever bit of it. Lock, stock and barrel. Mark
I did see that one but never paid attention to it. I'll be certian to look closer at it the next time I'm at Al's place. Modular Machine is 2 miles south of my house.
Posts: 2124 | Location: Whittemore, MI, USA | Registered: 07 March 2002