I'd like to thank everyone that helped me get into the show. It was a humbling experience getting accepted by some of the best gunmakers in the world. Many thanks to all voted for me! I would also like to thank one of my customers, Luis, that let me use his VZ/24 270Win I built for him as one of my projects for stockmaking. The other one I submitted for stockmaking was a 244Rem on a Dak76 action. This one was also used for metalsmith application. The other project for metalsmith was my highly modified MiniX 223. Many of you have seen pictures of it here on AR and just recently I added a quarter rib and home made banded front site to have enough required features for an ACGG metalsmith. An extra example of metalwork was a Harre mini action that I sculpted the bases on, welded a new bolt handle, barreled it and swamped it half octagon. Tons of polishing on that one. I'll try and post some better pictures of these projects later today.

Bill Soverns and I drove 18 hours from here in SDakota to Reno and both of us were voted in. It's good to have a neighbor to share the trip & show with. Thanks to Bill for coming over in the weeks preceding the show with his sharp stick to help keep me going in the right direction. Our Drive home was blocked my the closing of the I-80 in Wyoming and we had to zig zag through the state to finally get home.

Thanks to all the AR members and lurkers who stopped by my table with kind words and offers of a beer after the show! (ZR1) It's really amazing how many great people frequent this forum.

I really appreciated all the guild members who came up to table to congratulate Bill and me. It was a little intimidating meeting some other members at their booth after spending years admiring their work from afar. Without seeing all their excellent work over the years I wouldn't have had any idea of what great custom gun work is supposed to look like.

And last, but not least, thanks to Accurate Reloading Forums for the chance to learn much about the custom trade and share my own experiences with others!!!

Here's a bad pic of the application table.

Congratulations to you again James.
Butch

I have never been to Reno, but I have done some custom work on modern as well as antique firearms, so I know a little bit about the work that is involved in creating some of the finer rifles and shotguns. I also am somewhat aware of what it takes to get into full membership with the ACGG and I want to add my congratulations to both of you for your accomplishments. I am envious!

Gunmaker:

Congrats on being accepted into the Guild.

If you would humor us ignorant folks, could you share some additional photos (i.e., close-ups) of the items you used for your application? Also, could you educate us as to specifics the "judges" were looking for in regards to skills a stockmaker needs to be accepted?

I find this facinating and would love to know what seperates an average stockmaker and a Guild stockmaking member.

Also, go take your big stick over to Bill's and thump Soverns for me and tell him to start wittlin' my son's pre-64 Model 70 barreled action

Congrats James!

577,

I have already started. Im planning on having your sons rifle on my table at next years show. Meaning...it will be done.

Here's a few pics of my 244 Rem

Now for some MiniX pics.

Congratulations!

quote:

Originally posted by 577NitroExpress:
Also, could you educate us as to specifics the "judges" were looking for in regards to skills a stockmaker needs to be accepted?

I find this facinating and would love to know what seperates an average stockmaker and a Guild stockmaking member.

I'm not sure what they looked for. Just happy they found it!

It was a pleasure to meet James and to see his work in person. One word comes to mind: Schweet!

quote:

577,

I have already started. Im planning on having your sons rifle on my table at next years show. Meaning...it will be done.

Bill, just taking a cheap shot to break your stones

We are in no hurry. Congrats on the acceptance!

Regards,

hehehe....you misunderstand me. I WANT it on my table next year. That gorgeous piece of wood and Roger Ferrells metal work. Hubba hubba....

Here is a photo of James at his table....

Congratulations to both of you!

Bill, is that your Heineken, or his?

quote:

I WANT it on my table next year. That gorgeous piece of wood and Roger Ferrells metal work. Hubba hubba....

Bill, it will be my HONOR if you take my son's rifle to Reno next year with you!

He's only 3 1/2, BUT has already said, "I want to go hunting with Daddy."

Congratulatons again, Bill. I've very happy for you!

Congrats to both James and Bill!

John

James,
Congratulations. Your acceptance was a well deserved honor. I wish I could have been there to vote and meet you.

Congratulations! BTW the rifles are amazing.

Terry

Gunmaker, congratulations for your efforts, and abilities.

Thanks for posting the images of your work, James.

Make that "impressive work".

I was surprised to see that you look, well, young.

No doubt this bodes well for the future of custom rifles.

Congratulations!

flaco

I'd like to say Congrats to James also. His work is stuning in both wood and metal. Those who didn't see it truly missed something.

Way to go Jimbo!! Congrats are in order

Congratulations!

Congradulations,
The photo's show truely guild quality work.
It's nice to see new blood at the guild. I established my ties there years ago and had a good bit of work done but those guys are old retied or passed on now.
Thanks for youre passion in bringing all of us beutifull rifles and thanks for sharing the photo's here.

Super work, congrats.

Rich

quote:

Originally posted by flaco:I was surprised to see that you look, well, young.
flaco

I sure feel a little older after waiting for the voting. I'll be 42 this year and hope to be making chips full time for many years to come.

I also wanted to thank Duane Wiebe for helping me hammer out a problem before the show. I stocked my 244 10 years ago and didn't feel up to snuff about my checkering abilities then. The rifle has been hiding in my safe until just recently. When I pulled out, a knot along the forearm had pulled the inletting away from one side of the barrel. I was frantic, not wanting to fill it with glass I called Mr. Wiebe and he said to whack it with a hammer! He recommended removing the finish along the edge of the barrel channel and wetting it with water and carefully peening it with a hammer. After pulling some hair out, I proceeded to do just that and then refinish the top line. Worked like a charm!! The inlet tightened back up and I didn't have to fill it with glass. I wish I had more time to bend Duane's ear at the show, but his booth was probably the busiest at the show. I saw Forrest B at Duane's booth briefly, but it seemed like he was quite busy with promoting the scolarship rifle at both shows. I did get to handle the rifle for a few minutes. What a great piece of work. And, for a good cause.

Over at SDH's booth I had to buy a small tower of books. I'm now getting the time to go through them. Wow! what great reference material. I would recommend them.

James,

Congratulations - very well deserved.

I am glad to see the tradition continue with new guys like you coming along that demonstrate such a high level of artistry and craftsmanship.

Congratulations to the both of you!

As I told "gunmaker" I learned this procedure from panic-experience...course..never have to do this anymore! You believe politicians too, don't you?

James,
I got the honor to vote on your fine work and can say that I was impressed. I hope that over the years since you, Bill and I are about the same age, that we will have a chance to get to know each other better. It is an honor to count you among our ranks. Just got in myself last year. It sure is a rush isn't it?
Take care,

James, excellent work, it made voting a no brainer. Congrats!

Shane Thompson

Congratulations, and beautiful work. That is a an eye popping piece of english walnut with amazing workmanship you have posted above. DW

James and Bill,

It is an honor to have both of you in ACGG, as well as Joe Seeley and Al Jensen. I hope you will all become involved in the management of the Guild. We need younger professional members active in the business of running this organization.