I got these photos from Customstox, but I wanted to share them with the fellow members of the board. I truly think that Darwin builds an absolutely beautiful stock. Although some would tend to classify his rifles as arts Rifles. While that may be somewhat true you must totally appreciate the things he is able to do with a stock. Being just a novist I fully appreciate the things like a scallop in the bolt area, ejection port, and bolt release. Giving a fine custom stock such crisp lines in those particular areas is quite difficult to say the least.



I've heard some Darwin has been somewhat ill in the past couple years, but haven't heard if he's doing any better. Does anyone know if he's battling his illness any better and back to doing full time stockwork and checkering?





Hensley 1

Hensley 2

Hensley 3

Hensley 4

Alvinmack

Absolutely gorgeous woodwork, although a bit too thin in places for my taste. What really intrigues me is the metalwork in all of those rifles, and especially the last one. Who cut that action down to that length????

Blue

Blue,



If custom metalwork is your fancy. Then you should take a look at some of Steve Heilmans work. The Man is all world.



-Mike



SH Rifle 1

SH Rifle 2

Who did the case coloring on the bottom rifle action? I can't tell if the complete action is colored, maybe not. Doug Turnbull won't treat a Mauser anymore.

It only looks to me that the Bolt Shroud was color case hardened not the action.

Darwin's wood selection, layout, and quality of workmanship is of the highest order in all respects.

I don't care for the stock designs he favors........

AD

Alvinmack,
Thanks for posting those photos. Particularly the first one showing him at his booth. They were from the 2002 ACGG show. I have been looking for it on my computer and may have lost it. Darwin was and is a fine craftsman and is perfect gentleman. He is in very poor health and is out of the gun business. I am going to make some prints of that photo and send them to his friends in Oregon.

Customstox

On a serious note, it seems like a lot of folks who do a lot of benchwork become ill early (relatively) in life. I can't help but think of Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Allen, and now as has been revealed, Mr. Fischer and others.

What do you think it is. NOt enough exercise. Poor diet. Breathing improper fumes. Too much smoking. What happens to all of these great craftsmen and craftswomen?

Blue

Thats a great shot of Darwin. I was at the show in 2002 and took quite a few pictures of his work but never managed to catch him behind his table. Thanks for posting those pics Mike.

Great stocks by a very talented stockmaker. I love his style, almost looks like he copied some of my rifles.

It is a rotten shame that another gunmaker with such talent who is also a first class person has to cease turning out such outstanding work because of illness.

Thank goodness for pictures such as this. Many thanks for posting them alvinmack.

What is he Ill with??? He doesnt look that old.

Sadly enough I've heard that he has Parkinsons disease and it has robbed him of his fine motor skills.

It's a shame. Life is just too short. Enjoy it.

-Mike

Blue,



I think that their can be factors that play into this. Most of these gunmakers are self employed individuals and if their wife doesn't work they have to pay for health care out of pocket. Or just opt out of it completely.



Out of ignorance the majority of the public will see what a gunmaker gets for a full custom rifle and they get sticker shock. In reality $5000 for a full custom job isn't that much. 1/4 of that price can be consumed in materials alone then you factor the time spent by the gunmaker on the rifle and he's probably making about $15 an hour (if he's lucky). And of course that's all taxable income and Uncle Sam has to get his share of the pot. An old co-worker once told me when you work for the classes you live with the masses, and when you work for the masses you live with the classes. Let�s face it the majority of gunmakers aren�t getting rich here



Other than playing football on the Offensive Line I think custom gunmaking is probably the most unappreciated, underpaid profession. The only gunmakers who truly make a good living it are the ones who have good business sense and work their ass off. And let�s face it the ones who are putting in 12-14 hour days put quite a bit of stress on their bodies doing so. Having your back hunched over a bench for hours on out isn�t exactly ergonomically correct. Checkering is flat out hard on your eyes. For the older gunmakers of yesterday another factor could be that their wasn�t an awareness to the dangerous things in a gun shop. Unfortunately the some of them learned the hard way. I�m sure there�s been more than one smith who�s lost his sight from bluing salts. As well as the ones who didn�t have proper lung protection from the dangers of bluing salts, and woods such as ebony and cocobolo which are known carcinogens when you inhale the dust.



With all of that being said there are plenty of gunmakers who have been around for quite some time. I know that Al Biesen has to be creeping up on the age of 80, Dale Goens has to be close to 85. With those two stockers combined they probably have more of their work out in circulation than many other craftsmen combined.



Just like any other profession you need to balance work, exercise, and diet. I think the self employed probably have a worse time at it. Lets face it when you work for yourself you work the longest, hardest hours.

Mike,

I know that cocobolo is toxic(trip to the hospital to prove it) but I was not aware that ebony was harmful. Is there something in print on this? I seldom use any dust protection when working with ebony. Maybe I should. Im not calling you a liar - just wondered where you got the info is all. Anyway, thanks for posting the info. Much appreciated.

Bill, it's fairly well documented. But here is what I found. I read about the dangers of exotic woods before in the form of dust. I have the link at work for different carcinogens. But here is what I found in a quick search:





Species Health Hazard:



Alpine Ash Irritation to nose, eyes and throat; dermatitis



Blackwood Dermatitis; asthma; irritation to nose and throat



Ebony Irritation to nose, eyes and throat; dermatitis



Jarrah Irritation to nose and throat



Port Orford Cedar Dermatitis; earache; giddiness; stomach cramps; bronchitis



Redwood Dermatitis and asthma



Teak Dermatitis; conjunctivitis; swelling of the scrotum; irritation to the nose and throat; nausea