Fowler hunt

Still laughing this morning over the day yesterday, I had the pleasure of meeting Tip Curtis, builder of fine long rifles. I have been saving and working for a long time to buy a 20 gauge Fowler. When I walked into “Tip Curtis Frontier Firearms” I thought I had died and gone to black powder heaven. To say it was hard to choose between the many beautiful guns he showed me is an understatement. So when I finally found the one that felt was just right, the one I knew was born to be mine, he said “ That one is sold. It’s going to Arizona.” So I spent another thirty minutes shouldering his fine weapons imagining a turkey strutting out there as I came to full cock. Well eventually I decided on one and was ready to close the deal when he told me “ I don’t take cards. I only deal in cash.” Well I’ll just say his guns are not pocket change and I didn’t have the cash it would take to bring that Fowler home. Disappointed ? Yes. Will I go back ? Maybe. One thing is for sure. I enjoyed the experience of meeting this rare individual. Oh , and when I asked him if he could build me a gun just like the one going to Arizona, he said Yea, I’ll build you a rifle .” I asked him about the turn around time he said “ at least a year and a half.” Merry Christmas to me. I’m still searching for the Fowler that will accompany me in the rest of the fields of my life.

I don't think the old ticker could handle that kind of experience.

Good luck in your search. I think I just built my new favorite gun and its a fowler.

Funny I finished a beautiful .54 last year thinking it was going to be my go to gun and was very happy with it but this fowler just feels different.

There is just something about a nice fowler. Don't tell my wife but I think I'm in love!

I can imagine your pain!

This last summer, my wife and I drove several hundred miles to buy an item from a home-based business. The cost would be similar to Tip's guns. I didn't figure they'd take cards, but brought the checkbook because in our several conversations they never said one thing about taking only hard currency. Sealed the deal, and pulled out the checkbook only to be told then that they only took cash! GEEZ LOUISE! Luckily, I had a little cash in my pocket and between my wife's debit card and mine (both have limits to keep a thief from draining an account) we were able to get enough cash to just barely scratch up the amount.

I figured it was a tax thing...cash is a lot harder for the IRS to prove with no paperwork.

I post this from time to time; Tip Curtis M/L paradise.

Eric Krewson said:

I post this from time to time; Tip Curtis M/L paradise.

Click to expand...

That's Fantasy Land! :2

OMG :shocked2: Very good thing he aint in AZ. I'd be working 2-3 jobs all the time! TY for the picture

Had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with him twice, brought home a rifle both times, talked over the phone a few times also and he was a wealth of information, both visits were several hrs and enjoyable and informative, never pushed me to buy anything, his products sell themselves, last time I checked he did take money orders and shipped stuff out every day, I look forward to getting back up there and maybe getting a smooth bore rifle or Fowler from him.

Around 2004 there was a shortage of flintlock locks. I don't recall the law, but the tax on a firearm a smith built was greater than if a smith assembled parts supplied to him. So I was gathering the parts for a build. After many dead ends I was told by my gunsmith to call Tip again and tell him to look in the box under his workbench for the flintlock lock I needed. I had a great conversation with Tip and when I mentioned "the box" he chuckled and said the lock I needed would be on the way.

He's OK in my book, and I do wish I could visit his shop.

The picture of Tip's guns looks like his set up at Friendship. He has his own metal building and all of those great guns, finished and unfinished, just standing around waiting for people to fondle and take home with them.

What’s your price range?

I own two of Tips guns. He is a hoot to chat with for sure.
I’ve been to his shop in Tn. and at Friendship.
I’ve never seen so much stuff !
The pics Eric posted are just his “retail area”.
Tip will give you a full tour if you hang around long enough.
The man is a wealth of information.
You can’t beat the price of Tips guns.
It’s my understanding the 80 something year old still builds them 4 at a time... :shocked2:
If it were me and didn’t want to wait on a gun..... here is the answer .
I went to pick up a 16 gauge barrel I had called about with cash in hand.
When I got to the shop and told Tip my plans on the 16.
He said that sounds like this gun right over here!
He pulled one of the rack, I shouldered the gun and told Tip “I’ll be right back”.
I goggled Regions Bank, there was one within ten miles .....end of story.

I wish we had a shop like this near me because it is kind of tough if you want any kind of traditional muzzle loader here. You're basically limited to the internet, or maybe the annual trip up to Dixon's.

I have to agree that credit card has sort of become the "standard" payment for items this costly today. Most people don't carry $1000+ in cash on them, and many people have debit card draw and ATM limits to prevent theft, so just going to the ATM to draw the money is difficult. I bought a fowler up at Dixon's a few years ago and they took my card for payment. As a seller, I'd prefer cash too because of the card fees, but it's getting so that card is the "standard".

That gun is "heartbreaking lovely".

hanshi said:

That gun is "heartbreaking lovely".

Click to expand...

Thanks Hanshi :hatsoff: