I spent the past 6 hours at the ACCG show. Some absolutely beautiful work shown. Stephen Heilmann's work is absoluitely beyond compare.
So are James Tucker's stocks.

But the show was kind of disappointing in the sense that there seemed to be very few of the members there.

I don't know how many members in the ACCG, but I bet there wasn't more than 20 fulltime members there. Hope there are a few more tommorow.

Learned something I didn't know. Talked with Rachel Wells, and was informed that the Wells shop is alive and well. They still do custom gunwork there. She is a very nice lady.

Thanks for the report, do keep us posted.

SDH

I was disappointed that I didn't get to meet you there!

Ralf Martini was there with a few of the Hagn actions, as well as some rifles he built with them. His work is impeccable. And as I am sure most people know, the Hagn actions are fitted with the precision of a Rolex watch.

Sam Welch's engraving is also beyond compare.

Nice show, more like 40+ members of ACGG exhibiting. Spent time coon fingering our own MHC's 416, just a super rifle, Duane has done it again! Also got to harass Ralf, wonderfull bolt rifle and the Hagn singles. I think it is a good showing.

Many Thanks

HBH

I have a dream in which my kids don't cost 900-1500 a month in child care, and my wife gives me the entire tax return and I get to go to Reno, book at SCI my dream hunt then go to ACGG and order my rifle.

very sad I haven't made the show yet again, porn pics highly welcome.

Red

There may have been 40 tables there, but half were engravers and knife makers. I will make a definite count tommorow. I wasn't counting folks that just do checkering or case making.

How many full time members are there in the ACGG?

As far as photos, I took my camera, but didn't feel comfortable asking anyone if I could take a photo of their work. In fact, even though it was offered on a few occasions, and highly encouraged on a few occasions, I didn't even feel comfortable picking up some of these rifles. Ralph Martini repeated a couple of times that I should look at one of his rifles. He said it had already been to Africa once and I couldn't hurt it. Another gentleman there asked Ralph how much he wanted for that rifle (which I thought a bit inappropariate at the moment) and Ralph said he would sell it for $18,500. It has custom engraving on it, as well as a Schmidt and Bender Scope, and one of the most beautful pieces of wood I have ever seen.

Kevin, did you take time to visit with Duane Wiebe ? What was he showing on his table?

Jimmy

I introduced myself to Duane.

He had a number of his bottom metals on his table, some bolt handles, a 98 action to show how he puts those bolt handles on, as well as an exquitiste custom Mauser built on a Granite Mountain action. I didn't pick it up to look at it.

Ralph Martini had a Custom Muaser there built on a 1908 Brazilian Action. It seems to me that I had previously heard here on AR that one should not color case Mauser actions, but this one was fully color cased. It was exquisite.



In fact, there was quite a bit or work by a few makers on Granite Mountain actions. And one beautiful rifle on a Reemer Johannsen action in .416 Rigby.

For anyone that likes custom knives, Steve Johnson was there, and of course his knives are absolutely beautiful if you like Loveless style knives (he worked with bob loveless for a few years when he was younger)

Sam Alfono (sp) was also there. His engraving is absolutely beautiful. He also teaches classes for GRS

Someone we don't talk about much here on AR is Al Lind. He was there with a whole table full of rifles. They were all exquisite. Many people don't know that Al Lind was a good buddy with Don Allen. they were both Pilots for the now extinct Northwest Airlies. They also may not know that Al offers a Machine inletting service that is quite reasonable.

The neatest thing I saw was a shortened mauser action done by Herman Waldron. Perfect work.

22WRF,
When you get back over to the Nugget, I hope you take some of those rifles in hand. There is a reason Ralf and some of the gunmakers want you to, is from what your hands will tell you about each gun/rifle that your eyes alone will not. I think it wonderfull of the clients that allow the gunmakers to display their dreams, those clients are not just helping the maker but also future clients.

Many Thanks
HBH

And do take some pictures, for us that have never been, or may be awhile before I can, I'd like to get a taste of it here on AR. I know a guy here that always asks for pictures and now he's shy about taking photos...

Model 70 Trigger

I failed to mention another neat item I saw. I don't think he was there, but Ed LaPour donated a Newly Manufactured Winchester Model 70 Trigger and Sear for the Auction. His brochure states that it is made out of o-1 tool steel hardened and ground RC57, 9/32 wide.

So, If you have an older model 70 that needs a new trigger, this might be something to contact Mr. LaPour about

So Herman Waldron was there? I need to visit with him.
Butch

quote:

Originally posted by butchlambert:
So Herman Waldron was there? I need to visit with him.
Butch

I don't know if Herman Waldron was there. I just saw his work on a table next to Al Lind's table. Maybe one of the stockmakers brought that Metalwork with them. As I stated previously, there was a shortened Mauser action there by him that was just beautiful! I could not see any weld lines.

Apparently we were there at the same time. I had just come from the SCI show, and to be quite honest the quality of the work shown at the guild show was so much higher than some of the "best grade" makers at the sci was astonishing.

Even comparing some of Holland and Holland's bolt rifles to Duane's and Steve Heilmann's (just to name two) was eye opening.

Many people tout Bollinger as a standard of excellence, but from what I saw I would be pissed if he delievered me some of the work shown at his booth. For example, he had two rifles displayed at the very front right of his booth, boh had extended tangs. The inletting on the tangs was abhorrent, and on one of them the weld was so bad where the extensions were attached that it looked like some 12 year old jb welded them on. The tangs weren't even inlet flush with the wood, both were sharply angled to knock off a proud edge.

Compare that to the extended tangs on Heilmanns work which looked like they were poured into the wood.

Just in case you were wondering, the Heilmann and Bollinger rifles were not too far off in price.

Maybe I just saw the bad examples, but not one of the H&H bolt rifles had inletting that could compare to that on many of the rifles at the guild show.

The Model 70 trigger by Lapour looked fantastic. I bid on the one at the show and if I don't get it I will be buying one from Ed.

Duane's bottom metal is clearly first class, very nice pieces.

I concur on the assesment of Ralf's single shot actions. They are superb as are his complete rifles.

How about a report on Trez Hensley's table? Photos would be nice.

I spoke with Trez (very nice guy). He had a couple of 98 mauser rifles, but most impressive were the single shot rifles he had there. Of course, his work was also superlative.

Sorry, didn't take any photos of TRez's work. (maybe I will go back and ask him)

But here is a photo of some action work by Stephen Heilmann. Those are his scope mounts and bases, and the barrel is integral everything!



Also, I looked at Jim Kobe's and Gene Plante's table. And even though Mr. Kobe and I don't see eye to eye I will have to say that the stock he did for Mr, Plante on a genuine Peter Noreen Action in .416 Rigby was truly outstanding. The wood on it was spectacular and the stockwork and metalwork were truly outstanding. and anyone considering engraving work would do well to consider Mr. Plante in their decision making process. Mr. Kobe is now a member of the ACGG.

Forrest

Per Your request

I'd be curious to know what the attendance looked like on Sunday afternoon? The day the SCI folks used to attend.

quote:

Originally posted by HBH:
Nice show, more like 40+ members of ACGG exhibiting. Spent time coon fingering our own MHC's 416, just a super rifle, Duane has done it again! Also got to harass Ralf, wonderfull bolt rifle and the Hagn singles. I think it is a good showing.

Many Thanks

HBH

Glad you liked it, so far I have just seen pictures.

quote:

Mr. Kobe is now a member of the ACGG.

Congratulations Jim!

Mike, if it was your 416 that Duane had at his table, it is superb.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:

quote:

Mr. Kobe is now a member of the ACGG.

Congratulations Jim!

Plus 1.

Well, it's the first time in 20 years that I'm not there, and quite a few others have backed off this year. In talking with Al Lind, he said quite a few would not be attending, and several members had not booked any work the past 3 month, ...a reflection of the recession!! This show presents the best of the best and needs support if it's to continue. The seminars on Monday are also outstanding.

Those of you contemplating a big bore custom might also want to take a look at Dennis Smith. I looked at his work long and hard and it was really nice. He learned his craft at Kimber of Oregon working with Mr. Hensley. His influence is slightly european, and he does very very nice work,

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:
Mr. Kobe is now a member of the ACGG.

Congratulations Jim.

Jim

Joe Balicke was at the dinner this evening. So was Tommy Kaye, and Jerry Fisher. It was a treat to see those people.

MHC

As much as your rifle was a delight to the eye, it just speaks to you in the hands. That rifle is the BEST feeling - balanced 416 Rigby I have had the privilage to heft. I may not have been so impressed with this rifle, had it not been for the fact that I had just spent the morning handling the likes of H&H and H&W. I don't know
what your rifle weights, but it doesn't feel
like any other GMA actioned 416 I have lifted.

HBH

JIM KOBE,
Hey buddy, congratulations on your membership! You will truly be a good member as you care and you will uphold the what the ACGG stands for.
Butch

I might also mention that I had the distinct pleasure of dining with Bill Alexander during the ACGG dinner. What a neat guy.

If you have any interest at all in AR-15 type weapons you might want to consider his stuff. He is committed to quality,and he claimed that he is working on adaptations that are more suitable for sporting use.

http://www.alexanderarms.com/

I agree there was a lot of very nice work and people there---Rachel Wells is a very nice lady indeed we discussed the action that I have of Fred’s (SN 1) and who the makers are that are putting the rifle are together. My engraver was right next to Rachel (left side) and we might have been standing next to each other because I spent quite a bit of time talking to Lee about the projects we are doing.

Unfortunately, my rifle 280AI was not quite finished so Chuck Grace did not have it at the show darn it. CAS would have liked to have met you, 22WRF Duane and anyone else who was in attendance. Duane was 10 feet from me but I did not know he was until Sat afternoon and he was in the front of the show lol next to Rachel!! Finally someone pointed him out to me and he was talking to someone on Saturday afternoon so I went over and sat down at the Luxus table and talked to Hasan and Clay for a while about the rifle they are doing for me and other stuff (375 Ruger 1SS with a sick stick using the new machining equipment and software Luxus developed to make it, in fact I was there and with Speedy most of the time) and then he walked away for a few minutes. Went down to contribute to the Nevada economy some more and when I walked back up at ten till five almost everyone had already left to get ready for the dinner oh well there is always next year.

They did auction off the blanks I donated which helps the Guild and would encourage others to do the same on the ones you can spare, plus you get a nice write off but my plane left Sunday at 7am so Friday afternoon and Saturday were my days at the show. Did anyone see the pictures of the new building, equipment and syllabus for the advanced 3rd year Program at Trinidad State? It is going to be a real asset to the industry not to mention they are going to build (your action only) and repair firearms.

Oh BTW the Gibbs above that was at Trez's table belongs to Clay Barker and may become mine in the near future. We are discussing it

quote:

Someone we don't talk about much here on AR is Al Lind. He was there with a whole table full of rifles. They were all exquisite. Many people don't know that Al Lind was a good buddy with Don Allen. they were both Pilots for the now extinct Northwest Airlies. They also may not know that Al offers a Machine inletting service that is quite reasonable.

also that al built the rifle stocks that don supposedly built. if you have one look in the barrel channel and al lind is stamped in it.

will everyone please call jim kobe and tell him that joining the guild is not a reason to raise his prices

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
will everyone please call jim kobe and tell him that joining the guild is not a reason to raise his prices

HA---that tends to go along with being a part of the elite!! Congratulations to Jim!

quote:

Originally posted by 22WRF:

But here is a photo of some action work by Stephen Heilmann. Those are his scope mounts and bases, and the barrel is integral everything!

Normally I like Heilmann's work a lot, but those rings sure look clunky and that scope looks oversized on a fine rifle.

Having seen the rings in person, I tend to agree. While I appreciate the quality of the product, I thought they were way too clunky and wide for me to ever consider anything like them.

quote:

Originally posted by CAS II:
Having seen the rings in person, I tend to agree. While I appreciate the quality of the product, I thought they were way too clunky and wide for me to ever consider anything like them.

I'm sure they are EXTREMELY well made, but they would almost look more at home on a tactical rifle than a fine hunting rifle.

quote:

CAS II: to be quite honest the quality of the work shown at the guild show was so much higher than some of the "best grade" makers

Ditto

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:

quote:

CAS II: to be quite honest the quality of the work shown at the guild show was so much higher than some of the "best grade" makers

Ditto

I looked that barreled action over pretty close and when the rifle is blued and the stock completed it will be magnificent. Just have to be able to look at the in process work and have the vision to see it completed.

FWIW Steve impresses me not only with his work but his personality.

I loved everything about the barreled action except the rings. Even they were very well made, just fugly.

The rifle will be spectacular when done, it will just have ugly scope mounts. Kind of like Cindy Crawford wearing a hideous pair of glasses.

quote:

Originally posted by SDH:
I'd be curious to know what the attendance looked like on Sunday afternoon? The day the SCI folks used to attend.

For about three hours, the show was lively on Sunday. Friday night was as funeral procession. Weather was a factor!