Black powder gunsmithing

[matt denison]

Jerry, I've often wondered what people, obviously wealthy, do with these art pieces. Do you suppose they have a sporting room where they display their "trophies" like tooled sadles and art guns? Surely they don't shoot them. Has this lock ever even been snapped?

Sorry to bend this thread out of shape but this lock can't be ignored.

It looks perfect. I've looked three (?) times and see something different each time. Amazeing workmanship and design.

 

[jerrywh]

I doubt if this gun will ever be fired in the bext 20 or 30 years anyway. It will not be for sale for the forseable future. The last four guns I sold will probably never be fired at least in my lifetime. Frank Brownell keeps his pistol in his office collection I was told by him. He said he would never sell it and wants another one. All the people who have bought my best guns bought them for their private art collections. All the long rifles I built are being used for hunting I think with the exception of the one I called the Vigiance rifle. It is in a private art collection. The two I am working on now will never be fired. I am told One of them may be donated to the metropolitan museum of fine arts eventually. Until then it is supposed to be on a exehibition tour with guns from 9 other top builders. I only know three of the other 9 top builders who are working on this project. The buyer is a top corporate executive on forbes 500 companies. It would be unethical for me to broacast his name. I think he owns a big piece of verizon wireless. Don't hold me to that. He does own two jets though , I was told. I have never seen the man in person.
I better shut up. When I get out of my cage I can't quit talking. Isolation does that you know.

 

[Zonie]

You sir are a true artisan and can be justifiably proud of your creations.

I on the other hand am but a tinkerer when it comes to making a longrifle but one of the saddest days was when I sold the Lehigh County rifle I built from a Pecatonica River kit. It was the first longrifle I built.

I was pleased with the interest the buyer showed and I spent over half an hour explaining how to shoot, load and clean the gun.
Following this he explained that he had no intention of ever shooting it and he intended to display it on his wall.

I was sorely disappointed.
To spend that much money for an item and never enjoy it to its full potential and use it for what it was made to do seemed a waste to me.

While your works of art are truly amazing, I think it a shame that they will never be enjoyed for their true potential.

 

[jerrywh]

Zonie.
There is a part of me that agrees with you But the money allows me to go buy 5 or 6 nice guns to hunt with and shoot at the shoots,buy tools,cars and engraving equipment. That is a big consolation. Artists do not mourn the sale of a painting. Jewelers do no mourn the sale of a nice neckless. It feels good to think that one of my guns might be around for centuries.

 

[CaptainKirk]

I better shut up. When I get out of my cage I can't quit talking. Isolation does that you know.

That's just the thing, Jerry...I, for one, don't WANT you to shut up!
Your workmanship is impeccable and you probably have more advice and ideas to give than I have time to learn it.
Keep talking, I'm listening.. :thumbsup:

 

[matt denison]

"Isolation does that you know."

Yes, that and the oprotunity to "talk shop" a little about what we do. Talk talk can be fun but can also get you into trouble. Lots of people don't understand some of the things that we do or why we do it. Working alone with no company but the radio or an ocasional phone call, cussing a machine that won't perform correctly, sweeping up just to do something different for a few moments... can have you talking to yourself. :youcrazy:

 

[anvil1231]

I better shut up. When I get out of my cage I can't quit talking. Isolation does that you know.

That's just the thing, Jerry...I, for one, don't WANT you to shut up!
Your workmanship is impeccable and you probably have more advice and ideas to give than I have time to learn it.
Keep talking, I'm listening.. :thumbsup:

Yes Jerry, keep talking. I for one look forward to all your posts.

 

[George Hoskins]

Hi Jerry,
At the risk of getting too personal, can you give us a bio on youself. I am awestruck by your work and was wondering the road a man must travel to reach this pinnacle of excellence.
Cheers

 

[CaptainKirk]

His bio is in HERE:
In his profile: http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showuser.php?uid/1258/

His work is in HERE:
http://www.jwh-flintlocks.net/

Careful. Once you enter, you will not return without being a lifelong member of the the Jerry Huddleston Fan Club, of which I am the self appointed president! (or as we like to call ourselves..."Jerry's Kids") :rotf:

Seriously, this is one ridiculously awesome website. I couldn't make myself leave for an hour at least. And then I had to mop up all the drool! :thumbsup:

And then I went back for more...... :shocked2:

Hope I didn't steal your thunder Jerry...your work is too good to hide.