Just got this in - my first rock-lock

[agill]

That's one fancy gun! You better let someone else put the first scratch on it so you don't hate yourself for the rest of your life. Just joking of course. Enjoy! :hatsoff:

 

[aeatwood]

Actually, I didn't have to wait. The man that commissioned it had just received it and found out he had cancer - and no insurance. He had to put it (and some other guns I think) up for sale for medical bills. Carlen just went through his last chemo treatment a couple of weeks ago, so we don't know yet how it went.

That puts me under a double-obligation to take care of it and use it well.

After I bought it and it was in transit, I contacted Steve Zihn about building one to my specifications. I'm going with a John Rigby style English Sporter in 20-bore, w/ a 34-inch straight taper barrel. My target weight is about 9 lbs. Right now Steve has a 2 year waiting list for builds.

 

[rich pierce]

As soon as I saw it I was pretty sure Steve Zihn made it. Really good makers have a style, no matter what they are building, that is recognizable.

 

[hoochiepapa]

Now that's my kind of rifle!! THat guy is an artist for sure! I love ornate rifles.

 

[Randall Slemp]

Congratulations, that one looks hard to beat. :thumbsup:

 

[hanshi]

One more photo to show the forend and ramrod pipes:

Aaarrgh! I can't take it any longer. Have you no mercy? :rotf:

 

[Larry Pletcher]

Being a fan of Christian Springs and early Lancaster guns, I really enjoyed your photos. The decoration on this guns is exceptional. You must be proud to own it.

Regards,
Pletch

 

Steve Zihn is a master, you did well. That rifle I believe has been posted for a while on other sites, glad you got her. But I'm with Hanshi get rid of that sissy sling. :grin: It's a disservice to Steve's fine work. Only a two year wait for one of Steve's fine guns is well worth it unless you 're 85 or 90, and can't afford to buy green Bananas.....think about it.

Bill

 

[caddo]

Your gun was in front of mine, Steve is starting on mine now. Hope mine is as pretty as yours. I knew it was Steves work as soon as I saw the pictures :thumbsup:

 

[jerrywh]

badly inneed of engraving.

 

[aeatwood]

I'm in the queue for a 20-bore Rigby English Sporter now. My original intention was a fairly plain working gun, but I can see the temptation creeping in to throw him a wad of cash and say "Go nuts". I have a couple of years to decide. :idunno:

 

[Mulebrain]

My God!

I would be afraid to take that into the field. That is downright gorgeous :shocked2:

 

[Rifleman1776]

Definitely special and beautiful. Be proud.
Even the sling is unique and attractive.

 

[tecum-tha]

Alan, the name of the Rifle can not be:
"Das Valkyrie"
The german word for "Valkyrie" is female and "das" would be the neutral article and will not work.
The correct wording is: "Die Walkuere" or if it has to be the odd german-english mix:
"Die Valkyrie"
Even though it may sound cool to english speakers, it is plain wrong and sounds about as bad as it can be for a native german speaker.
Taking german words into the english language seems to be a fashion right now, but even all those hip "german" word users (usually article writers), use the german word about 80% of the time in the wrong context...

 

[aeatwood]

Thanks,

I stand corrected. :v

 

[MSW]

Mr. AlanA, you went and made me drool all over the keyboard!

beautiful rifle!

 

[chance]

She is a beauty!!

 

[szihn]

Thank you Gentlemen.

 

[aeatwood]

No Steve, thank YOU. And it shoots a tiny bit better than it looks. :thumbsup:

 

[szihn]

When I zeroed it I was very pleased at it's accuracy. I wrote Carin that it just ate the center out of the target at 50 yards. Not a "group", but just a ragged hole.
The elk and moose should be very afraid.