rich pierce
70 Cal.
Bill has a style and manner of finishing a longrifle that is notable. My buddies and I, when we see a particularly "clean" build, say, "It's almost Shipmanesque". If you buy one of his rifles, you can be sure there is not a blemish, scratch, file mark, bruise, whatever, anywhere on the gun. If this matters to you, then consider one of his custom longrifles and you will not be disappointed. A plainer stock is less forgiving and will not hide or draw the eye from any errors.
Right now I am at Dixon's Gunmaker's Fair in eastern Pennsylvania. There are some very fine rifles, some earlier in style than this Shipman offering, some decorated to a higher degree, with finer wood, etc. None better made. It's worth the price if those qualities are important to you.
Fine makers who can and do work in early veins with great knowledge and insight include David Dodds and several others. Dodds' work really evokes the originals so well and is priced accordingly.
On the other end of the price scale you can go to Tip Curtiss shop or see his stuff at a show and get an assembled but not completely finished rifle for about $1100 that has all the right parts and good early styling.
In between are any number of makers who can evoke a 1760's rifle for $2500, with fine wood, top notch parts, excellent architecture, decorative elements, etc.
Bill Shipman is a "name" builder whose reputation is rock solid- there is no Shipman gun out there that is a "little iffy". Every one is masterly. Customers can just decide what factors are most important to them.
Right now I am at Dixon's Gunmaker's Fair in eastern Pennsylvania. There are some very fine rifles, some earlier in style than this Shipman offering, some decorated to a higher degree, with finer wood, etc. None better made. It's worth the price if those qualities are important to you.
Fine makers who can and do work in early veins with great knowledge and insight include David Dodds and several others. Dodds' work really evokes the originals so well and is priced accordingly.
On the other end of the price scale you can go to Tip Curtiss shop or see his stuff at a show and get an assembled but not completely finished rifle for about $1100 that has all the right parts and good early styling.
In between are any number of makers who can evoke a 1760's rifle for $2500, with fine wood, top notch parts, excellent architecture, decorative elements, etc.
Bill Shipman is a "name" builder whose reputation is rock solid- there is no Shipman gun out there that is a "little iffy". Every one is masterly. Customers can just decide what factors are most important to them.