Just when you think you've seen it all

[Dale Allen Raby]

Ohio

Well, I guess we get around... I know of a branch in Idaho that are related to me somehow and then there are the ones that came from Kentucky and Tennessee then migrated to Arkansas and eventually Texas... where I was born. I am the last one in Wisconsin.

 

[chorizo]

Well, I guess we get around... I know of a branch in Idaho that are related to me somehow and then there are the ones that came from Kentucky and Tennessee then migrated to Arkansas and eventually Texas... where I was born. I am the last one in Wisconsin.

Yeah, you can't swing a dead cat by the tail without hitting a Raby in Idaho. Streets, hotels, I even used to hunt quail around Raby's knob in the Owyhees.

 

[Patched]

I’m expecting to get slapped around a little for this but…
The early Golden Age guns, the finely relief carved rococo style scrolls in just the right places guns that we all admire are the guns worth copying and the $s…
This gun is sadly not in that class…this gun is expertly crafted incorporating most of the common post-Golden Age rifle shortcuts as was the original…gaudy wiggly wire is a poor replacement for flowing shadowed scrolls and shaded acanthus leaves…that actually compliment each other’s presence in the stock architecture.
This gun displays a lack of understanding of rococo style art …duplicating the ”cringe”worthiness probably has value…but yikes! I’d spend my $8-10K on a faithful Golden Age duplication.

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Once knew a guy with a Mercedes Benz gull wing coupe. He built a separate, climate controlled, lighted garage with a glass wall for it. He'd sit in his living room and look out the window at the car in its palace garage. Don't know that he ever drove it. That story reminded me of him.

When I worked at the state senate in the early 1970's, one of the state Senators would drive his gull wing mercedes down from Mehoopany (SP) PA. That guy had a "harem" of exotics and I swear treated each one like a lover. If rain was expected, it would get moved to a special garage. He also fought to have an office that overlooked his parking spot.

 

[user 53891]

When I worked at the state senate in the early 1970's, one of the state Senators would drive his gull wing mercedes down from Mehoopany (SP) PA. That guy had a "harem" of exotics and I swear treated each one like a lover. If rain was expected, it would get moved to a special garage. He also fought to have an office that overlooked his parking spot.

Yes sir, we're their peasants and no laws for them.

 

[stephenprops1]

People spend $70,000 on a pickup truck and turn it into useless pile of junk within 10 years. But a gun that costs a few thousand dollars is "too nice to shoot". Stupidest thing I ever heard.

I agree. I would never own a gun I did not want to shoot. A gun is a tool, not necessarily an investment (for me). --- I will add that if I came into an historical gun, such as one that survived the Battle of Bunker Hill, I would not shoot it. However, I would put it on the market ASAP to sell it and put that money to good use.

 

[SOLANCO]

When I worked at the state senate in the early 1970's, one of the state Senators would drive his gull wing mercedes down from Mehoopany (SP) PA. That guy had a "harem" of exotics and I swear treated each one like a lover. If rain was expected, it would get moved to a special garage. He also fought to have an office that overlooked his parking spot.

I believe deep in my heart that there is something twisted in anyone who wants public office.

 

[BillRob]

Just the fact so many hate such a beautiful rifle makes me like it even better. You can of course compare it with the plethora of Keebler snap together kits, but the rifle is a fine bit 'O work and if I had it I would most certainly enjoy it by shooting it: a lot.

"Keebler snap together kits" - really??

 

[LRB]

The gun does not impress me at all. Looking beyond the sheen and glitter, I find it lacking in many ways. The carving is not all that special with some being kinda lifeless with the intent to excuse it and stand out with silver wire with some areas poorly back grounded and blended. The forearm is quite blocky from the guard forward tang to the base thimble along with the blocky breech and lock area behind it. The engraving is purely amateurish and lacking boldness and interest. Overall, I find the gun looks as if too much wood was left on it. Just my opinion, but a Kibler made rifle, even with minimal frosting would outshine that one.

 

[Shawrco]

People go to Mecum car auctions and drop a lot of cash on cars, some go to shows like Wanenmacher in Tulsa and do the same. Athletes get paid multi-millions for playing games, what’s fair compensation for a craftsman such as this builder? He’s expressing his artistic flair; you go to an art gallery and you buy what catches your eye, some like fancy, some like plain. I’ll bet he’s built more than a few that aren’t quite as ornate. I agree on the comment on the wood, I’d rather admire a highly figured stock without all the extras, but then we would probably have dissenting opinions on how it was finished . In it’s own right, it’s a beautiful rifle!

 

[Bushfire]

I haven't read the replies so maybe I'm not alone but I don't personally think it's all that great.
Having inlays, carvings and polished metal gives it a good veneer but simplicity and restraint to me shows the true skill of a craftsman. To make a gun, horn, knife or what have you shine with nothing to hide behind is a real skill and any flaw will stand out.

 

[Jedidiah]

Honestly, by my own standards anyway, I am obscenely wealthy as far as worldly wealth is concerned. How much is that? Well, let's just say that I can buy pretty much anything I want that can be bought with money. Now, I could not buy a mansion in Beverly Hills, but then, I don't really want one of those... the old farm house I rent in rural Wisconsin is quite enough for me.

I've often found that the things I used to covet but could not afford are no longer on my list of things to acquire even though I probably could afford them. A '65 E-type Jaguar fixed head couple would sorta be my dream car... or it once was, and I could deplete my investments a bit or maybe sell all my guns and I could buy one now. But they are extremely impractical to own for most people. I once wanted a Shiloh Sharps rifle, but even though I could easily afford one now, I find that I balk at paying that much money for what is essentially a toy.

Now, there are a very few things I want, but no amount of money will buy them. One of them is a bottle of magic pills that cure autism, the other might be the ability to reset my life from about age 12, but keeping my current knowledge. I would then not make the mistakes I know I have made. "Might have beens", though, are not worth dwelling on for more than a daydream now and then. Then there was that girl... another "might have been" that never happened... which was probably for the best.

All in all, yes, I am content and more or less happy most of the time. As bad as things might get, they could always get worse, so there is always that to be thankful for. So, yeah, I guess I am rich.

Many people never figure out that the "things" you own mean nothing in the end. The fact is, no one really cares what you have or don't have unless it affects them personally. I used to want lots of things and burned through many different toys etc. and now i just laugh at those that have them, thinking they are the cats meow. When you are gone, in 6 months if anyone remembers your name or hoists a drink to you, consider yourself a "rich" man. IMHO

 

[zimmerstutzen]

Many people never figure out that the "things" you own mean nothing in the end. The fact is, no one really cares what you have or don't have unless it affects them personally. I used to want lots of things and burned through many different toys etc. and now i just laugh at those that have them, thinking they are the cats meow. When you are gone, in 6 months if anyone remembers your name or hoists a drink to you, consider yourself a "rich" man. IMHO

Indeed. The things you have and create can't go with you.. Too an extent, what you give and what kindness you show to others will make a far bigger mark on the world. The world is far too short on kindness and yet it costs nothing to create it.

 

[Jedidiah]

I find this particular rifle to be in the "artistic showpiece" genre. While I am certain it will function just fine, I am also certain it will never be put to the typical every day use that a less ornate rifle will endure. That is fine. I can appreciate the effort, skill and time it takes to make such a rifle. However, for me now (72) the rifles' that are of a more simple but still refined nature with only minimal carving or enhancements suit me best. I find a Fusil de Chase, nice Fowler, Long Rifle or NWT gun to be just as beautiful, in their own way when done well. Just one mans opinion.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

This is probably the best thread I have ever read through on this site. Some real good thoughts and no fighting!
In regards to things like that rifle, I sort of figure it this way: if someone offered to gave me that thing for free, but with the provision that I have to keep it - can never sell or even give it away - would I want it? I would turn it down. If it had fallen off a truck and got all beat up and broke, I would be a lot more interested in it.

 

[mushka]

I can appreciate a thing of beauty but that doesn't mean that I want to own it. As far as guns go I like the function ability of a gun more than it's good looks. I do have some nice looking guns and some really butt ugly one's too, but they all shoot well.

 

[Eterry]

That's a gorgeous rifle, and a Bill Large barrel is highly sought after. I'm sure it's worth it and I wouldn't buy it if I wasn't going to shoot it.

A few years ago the Muzzleblast mag had an article about the gun builder who spent years working on the perfect flintlock, then spent another 1000 hours building the case and equipment.

I got to meet him at DSC, the rifle was in a locked case with mirrors to see all sides. But he had other, almost as nice flintlocks and I got to handle one. Ne Plus Ultra is what comes to mind.

But price is relative. At the Dallas Safari Show $8500.00 won't get you very much gun. I enjoy kicking tires and daydreaming there. I've handled MANY double rifles over $100k, and a double barrel 4 bore rifle priced at $400K. Not in my budget, but fun to handle and dream.

A dangerous game hunt in SA starts slightly under 20K, I doubt I'll ever go.

A guy at lodge tells everyone how he spent 120k on his new Truck. I told him I'd never tell a soul I got duped like that.

 

[Tenring]

Darn it they don’t take PayPal, Ha Ha…..

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

Back in the day I used to say buying a gun like that would be like marrying (insert name of favorite glamorous woman) and never taking her to bed. My current favorite female celebrity Kim Go Eun pasted below as her character Ji Eun Tak: Yeah, I watch K-dramas sometimes...

 

[senseisugarbear]

DALE, you should be ashamed of your self.....that young lady is at least 6 mos. too young for you...Be Safe>>>>Wally