A good time was had by all at the show...and a few of us had an even better time in the Silver Baron Lounge on Sunday night watching a fledging Elvis impersonator (at least that’s who we think he was trying to impersonate)! Not part of the “official†entertainment I’m afraid...but he did keep us in stitches till he finally gave up and literally “skipped†off through the Casino.

Rick

What did you see that was interesting as far as custom guns?

I had a helluva good time. Probably the best time I have had in Reno since I started going to the shows. Met lots of AR guys for the 1st time.

The most interesting rifle I saw at the show...and I covet it seriously...was a little rifle on Lee Hegelands table. I think I butchered his last name right there. But anyway...it was a mauser blind box, either a 1910 mex or G33/40 I cant remember which. Major modifications had been done and the rifle weighed 5 lbs, 14 oz. Incredible work and an absolute sweetheart of a rifle to handle.

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Rick

What did you see that was interesting as far as custom guns?

As you can probably imagine, everything in the room exhibited incredible skill and workmanship even if it happened to be something that I would probably never buy or use.

Personally, I always favor the “less-is-more†philosophy so I tended to gravitate toward the more subtle expressions of the craft where the checkering/carving/engraving/inlays didn’t “jump†off the table at you from 10 feet away. There were even a few that didn’t have any of the above and I thought they were beautiful.

I did comment to Bill Soverns and others that I was somewhat surprised to see not one single custom rifle built from a 1903 Springfield (my personal favorite). The bolt actions were all Mausers, Winchester 70’s and a few Remingtons.

There were a ton of single shot’s where Ruger #1’s seemed to be most dominate...and those ran the gamut from very subtile to extremely ornate in their decoration.

Even the very elaborate ones were beautiful and not at all gaudy though.

But if I had to pick one “thing†in the room that I would have taken home in the blink of an eye I think my vote would go for the beautiful gal in the see-through turquoise skirt that showed up on Sunday...but she was definitely a case of “more-is-more†though!!!!

Did anybody take any photos of anything interesting. (Rick, you didn't take a photo of that Gal in the Turquoise Shirt did you? )

quote:

Originally posted by Rick 0311:

But if I had to pick one “thing†in the room that I would have taken home in the blink of an eye I think my vote would go for the beautiful gal in the see-through turquoise skirt that showed up on Sunday...but she was definitely a case of “more-is-more†though!!!!

My god man......stop obsessing.....hehehe....

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Did anybody take any photos of anything interesting. (Rick, you didn't take a photo of that Gal in the Turquoise Shirt did you? )

That was see-through “SKIRTâ€...not SHIRT!

This gal could have been wearing a garbage bag and would have looked about as good though.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill Soverns:
My god man......stop obsessing.....hehehe....

Hey, you young guys let us older folks have our fantasies!

Based on the line of guys following her around the room I don’t think I was the only one there that appreciated the “workmanship†of what she was displaying.

Hey Rick,

The reason that she showed up on Sunday is because the SCI closed on Saturday. She's a niece of one of the older gentlemen at the SCI show.

Had a great time at SCI & guild show. Chewed the fat with Bill S, Timan, Mark Stratton, and Rick0311. Ran into some Trinidad Alumni. Talked with Mark Stratton for a while, couldn't stop looking at that vent rib barrel. Enjoied the hospitality of Paul & Sharon Dressel. Had to look through their small (300-400blank) pile a few times. Many many nice blanks. Even though I've got 85 or so here I still am having a nice Qsawn fiddleback Turkish rifle blank delivered for a Rigby project I picked up. Bill S picked up a nice one for a good price.

I did handle the Lee Hegeland super lite and thought it was pretty sweet, but my favorite was the mini farkenhouser.

Hope to see the same crew again next year.

gunmaker

Now I am really feeling sorry I missed the show. Meaning the turquoise skirt and the owner. Mark, she may have been a rental rather than a niece and just looking for a rentor.

Seriously wish I had made it. Next year.

Gunmaker,

It was great to meet you. I would have gladly stayed up the rest of the night "chewing the fat" with you and Sandman if I didnt have to catch that plane.

Chic, you're right, she was just trying to line up next years gig. By the way, what happened to you?

quote:

Originally posted by gunmaker:
Enjoied the hospitality of Paul & Sharon Dressel. Had to look through their small (300-400blank) pile a few times. Many many nice blanks. Even though I've got 85 or so here I still am having a nice Qsawn fiddleback Turkish rifle blank delivered for a Rigby project I picked up. Bill S picked up a nice one for a good price.

gunmaker

Looking at those 300 to 400 blanks was allot of fun...loading them back into their trailer after the show wasn’t! If it wasn’t for Paul’s damned stuffed elk taking up half the trailer we could have been in the bar two hours earlier Sunday night.

quote:

Originally posted by Customstox:
Now I am really feeling sorry I missed the show. Meaning the turquoise skirt and the owner. Mark, she may have been a rental rather than a niece and just looking for a rentor.

Seriously wish I had made it. Next year.

Chic,

I came really close to just buying her a car and giving her my house just so I didn‘t have to go through all the usual “relationship†stuff...you know, just cut to the chase and get it over with early on!

Did any of you stay for the Guild seminars on Monday? I never remembered seeing what they were having.

Chic

I did not get to go this year........The schedule listed: Metalsmithing for the Stockmaker and Stockmaking for the Metalsmith by Pete Grisel and: Getting the most out of your stockblank by Al Lind.

I think one of the seminars was Al Lind talking about wood layout. I didn't stay, I'm not sure what the other was. I had a long drive back to Seattle so I got an early start. I did have a great time with all of the AR menbers, 12 or so stopped by the table.

ACGG seminars.

1. How to submit material to publishers: Tom Turpin

2. Metalsmithing for the stockmaker, and stockmaking for the metalsmith: Pete Grisel (but another guy ran it)

3. Getting the most out of your stock blank: Al Lind, but another guy ran it.

I sat through a portion of the Metalsmith/stockmaker seminar and it was interesting.

Admittedly, I was an unlikely attendant at the show.

I've only been working on rifles for about a year and three months--if you don't count the Mark X I stocked with a Fajen back in the last century (1987 to be exact)--but, despite financial constraints (great), I did have some advantages.

While my vintage VW Wabbit was in no shape for the drive (a local gunsmith told me it would "Freeze") I was able to book passage on Amtrak. This was one of their bastard half train, half bus trips. Given time, I could have taken the Coast Starlight--known as the "Starlate" to many--to San Francisco, and then the Californian Zephyr over Donner Pass to Reno.

Both of these are legendary trains. I don't expect there are a lot of train buffs here, but if you haven't tried it, it's worth at least one trip. Don't expect on-time travel, but do be prepared for spacious seating, sociable travel mates, and a drink every now and then.

Okay, I like old stuff.

Also, I had the benefit of a good friend, a securities analyst, who works in Reno and lives in Incline Village. Lake Tahoe.

Overall, it was a blast.

I was able to join up with Mark Stratton, Bill Soverns, Rick, Glen, and I believe Doug Turnbull made a guest appearance at our table Friday night.

After all that train travel, I was glad I didn't have to drive up to Tahoe, but the view from Rose Mountain Pass is unbelievable.

Despite the fact that I was out of uniform--no safari shirt--everyone was great. I felt lucky to have met a few of the boys the night before, so the showroom wasn't a sea of strange faces.

Bill Soverns is as helpful as he is on the forum, and shared enthusiasm seemed to make up for grave discrepancies in accomplishment.

Mark was kind enough to refer us to some 09 tips in his book.

I'm with Bill on the Lee Helgeland Mountain Rifle. It's 6.5x 284, and beautiful. No grip cap or buttplate, but discreet checkering instead.

For whatever the reason, I spent a lot of time admiring wood.

If only because Jim Preslik had sold me a stunning blank last year, I kept going back to his table.

Whether or not to attend the $44 Banquet was a agonizing decision.

We went, and felt it money well spent.

We had one of the last tables. I knew Preslik would be there, but I had a seat next to a man named Sam.

Turned out it was Sam Welch, one of the best engravers. If only judging by the awards he won.

His commemorative engraved Ruger #1 action auctioned for around $5,000, IIRC.

I made an effort to meet those I felt I knew from AR, but obviously missed a few.

I'm glad I missed the Elvis impersonator. LOL.

I ended up stealing a $125 blank from Preslik. It's one sided claro, but perfect for the compromised--shoddy pressed chambering stamp on barrel, Mark X action--I'm working on.

It will be beautiful, and Jim Preslik deserved more.

Is he always so generous?

The slow train trip home offered an excuse to stop off in the Bay Area to see an old University friend.

Overall, the trip reinforced how far I have to go. In my gunmaking efforts.

But inspired me, too.

I can't wait to get the new pattern and barrel that should be winging their way towards me soon.

My thanks to all who were so helpful at the show.

And such good company.

flaco

Oh, and... a Silver Legacy craps table was kind enough to pay for the Preslik blank. What more could one ask?

Chic,

I attended two seminars Monday morning. Pete Grisel is recovering from prostate surgery and did not attend. I believe Steve? Nelson filled in for him. It was primarily about timesaving tips for wood and metalwork. The most interesting part was the discussion about stock finishes, with a lot of audience participation. Al Lind did indeed do the second seminar in person.

The Lee Helgeland featherweight was indeed sweet, but my favorite was the Hagn singleshot. The owner took delivery at the show. He had to wipe a LOT of my fingerprints off!

I attended the show on Sunday and was most impressed by a young fellow named Nathan Heineke who works out of his Laramie WY shop. He formerly worked for Griffen and Howe and is now on his own, building old style sporters with slim stocks, side mounts and very low mounted scopes. His guns have that elusive "live" feel to them. Very nice. Check out his website at www.nlheineke.com

I'm with XL in that I was most impressed with Mr Heineke. He was a true gentleman and was very willing to give out information. I attended the show all three days and made the seminars, I met several AR members and had some good conversations with some of the guild members. It was a great show and I look forward to next years.

Chad

The other great thing about the show for me was getting to meet and sit down and learn from a bunch of guys that know Mausers inside and out.

I’ll be the first to admit to knowing little or nothing about Mausers other than they were invented by a German guy named Paul, and there are more models and variations than Mr. Carter’s ubiquitous little liver pills!

Bill Soverns, Mark Stratton, and Glen71 tried their damnedest to educate me a bit and answer all my stupid questions.

I also learned allot about stock blanks from Paul and Sharon Dressel...like why I don’t ever want to have to load and stack 400 of the damned things into a trailer parked out in the street in Reno in the winter time again!!