Glad You Could Stop By!!
When you drop by the shop here in Corn Patch, one thing will become pretty apparent. There ain't much glamour, nor is there anything for show. You'll see for yourself, a busy, messy, and no frills gun smithy. Notice I said gun smith and not gun stocker. Add blacksmith, too, you want. I operate under the premise that a person who assembles a gun from store bought components is a "gun-stocker". In contra-distinction: the person who makes lock, stock and barrel and all the little stuff in between is a "gun-smith". My master and mentor who got me started so many years ago was none other than the late Robin C. Hale, the well known Southern rifle expert. The late Kit Ravenshear was the master who personally took time out to teach me how to make a decent spring, and not by his 2 little books on the subject, either!
SAFETY! A very important word out here in Corn Patch, Iowa! If I wouldn't let my youngest Grandson pull the trigger, it don't leave the shop! Period. I proof each and every barrel with my genuine Iowa Barrel Tester, featured in the January, 1996 issue of Muzzle Blasts magazine, with double my recommended powder charge and two patched balls of proper calibre. Take it or leave it, fellers.
Boys, this photo shows why you don't use dowels from the lumber yard or hardware store for ramrods. See them rather sharp points? If a rod was to break under pressure of ramming a ball home, do you suppose that same pressure is enough to put one of these nasties THROUGH your grubby paw? Go ask someone who has been there, done that.
When the shop wears you out, go 'round the back, to th' Yeller Tom Cat Forge. You'll find it small but still a more than adequate blacksmith shop. This is where I forge many components for my longrifles. We've also been known to hammer out a campfire set, perhaps a ladle or spatula and such for local buckskinners. I prefer not to forge rifle furniture and sell it by the piece because it might not be quite the size or shape you want when you go to install it on your gun.
The red hot bore of a freshly welded barrel made from a wrought iron skelp.
And yes, the stories are true....I have accepted old Iowa banknotes, Danish og Norwegian kroner, dollars from Australia & Taiwan, Euros, Rands, MPC, silver Thalers from Austria, English Pounds, and even genuine Confederate currency in payment for my books. If you're ever near "Corn Patch", give me a call and drop by. We'll have a chew, swap some lies an' become friends.....oh yeah, I almost fergot. Bring MOON PIES!!
Drop Me A Line!
Please be patient if you are expecting a reply from me. Work in the shop requires several hours of my time and I do receive several emails from all over the world on a daily basis. Fear not, I will respond as work load will allow.
Just an old has-been gunship pilot, boys.