Just when you think you've seen it all

[billraby]

As OP i was merely asking when is something too expensive, delicate or rare to shoot. It seems i should have posted an inflation adjusted poll.

No such thing as too expensive or rare to shoot. If I buy a gun I am going to get as much use out of it as possible. Expensive or rare has nothing to do with it.

 

[Eterry]

I haven't read every reply but plenty enough to see this is a very diverse group, a lot of TC and CVS shooters and a few with CLA membership. A fact or two for the ones that are new or just not interested in originals or hand made, hand carved custom guns. Go to the Annual CLA show in Lexington and you'll see many in the 8k+ range, some in 5 figures. A lot of them in the $10k range are shot, hunted with and used in matches. I remember well when Goose (now passed) had 2 Earl Lanning guns in the back of his pickup with assorted tools laying there too, one was the Dickert that was featured in a lot of presss and the "Big Warrior" fantasy rifle, look it up on line and you'll be impressed. Both were encased in very light cloth covers. Goose and I expect Earl weren't too worried about a sm dent or two. Also the rifle in question is a John Sheetz in his Va period, I made a hand made with all metal work hand fabricated Sheetz about 30 years ago that was similar to the one shown without silver wire inlay or as many silver inlays but wood base relief carving was very similar, and accurate for a Sheetz. I started making Becks and people would comment that my carving had gotten much better, it really hadn't I used Golden Age Pa/Md style of carving on Becks and Schreyers not the Sheetz methods that weren't as well developed and somewhat flat. It's a nice rifle just needs a lot of handling, shoots and some wear.

Wow...I haven't heard the names Earl Lanning, Hacker Martin, or Hershel House ( or his Brother) on here in a long time.
I believe they all set the Gold Standard for Flintlocks in their respective Schools BITD that Many are replicating to this day.
There's many, many more but those came to mind.

I've seen ONE documented Hacker Martin Flintlock at a show, but it was not for sale. I couldn't have afforded it anyway if it had been.

But I completely 100% agree with you. $8500 is chump change to a serious collector.

BTW, I'm NOT a serious collector. A sobering thought is I've handled double rifles valued at more than the farm I hunt on.

 

[The Appalachian]

You got that right…thanks for pointing that out.

Shoe fit?

Wear it big dog........

 

[stikshooter]

I used to shoot with the fellow who built that rifle, and saw a few others he made as well. Meticulous workman, outstanding rifle and worth every penny.

Personal recommendation counts more to me than someone else mentioning worth according to their personal wealth or lack there of . A pretty gun reflects the builders skill level/parts selection/and not the least his/her reputation on their customers opinion , again not someone's ability to buy/Ed

 

[deerstalkert]

this discussion reminds me of a movie i once watched. a rich guy bought the only 2 existing specimens of some bauble. paid some obscene amount at an auction house.
immediately upon transfer completion he smashed one of the baubles, thereby quadrupling the value of the remaining one of a kind.
i had a reason for thinking this, but forgot while typing!
guess i need to breathe some BP smoke.

 

[stikshooter]

I’m probably in the minority.
Beautifully done but gaudy, overstated and way overpriced. I like plain and simple. I don’t need a rifle that look’s like an overdressed tart! So there you go.

Great that there's plenty of us who appreciate gaudy not overstated and priced for a small minority of like minded buyers having the funds and the outstanding sense of I want that before I die and get to wear it out before the kids see it mentality . However I only qualify for gaudy/not overstated and I'll never get it past the boss (wife) who has an eagle eye and the math major I'll never have , either one/Ed

 

[Paul Herbst]

My opinion, with that level of skill and workmanship, that gun is a bargain.

 

[Patched]

Shoe fit?

Wear it big dog.......

Ha ha…. I thought this pair were custom made for your feet …there bigfoot

 

[The Appalachian]

Dear Patches, don't let anyone tell you you're not special.........

 

[Patched]

Dear Patches, don't let anyone tell you you're not special.........

I wholeheartedly accept your apology…I love you too,

 

[loud-n-boomer]

While the style is not my cup of tea, I appreciate the workmanship that went into that rifle, and the price is reasonable for what it is. I have been fortunate to be friends with several high end custom gun makers for modern guns and muzzleloaders. There is an inordinate amount of skill, labor, and innate talent that goes into a truly well done custom gun, and even at $10,000 or more per gun, I have yet to meet a gun maker who got wealthy making guns and only a couple who would be considered comfortable. Most could not afford to buy their own work. My point is that the price of best quality work reflects the effort it takes to do it and the scarcity of available talent. I have had the good fortune to shoot quite a few best quality guns, and to own a couple, one modern and one a flintlock. All I can say is don't knock it until you try it, and once you do, you may be putting every spare penny into the cookie jar until you can afford one. Mine are my regular hunting guns and I have used them in all kinds of weather and for a lot of rugged back country hunts. Would a CVA or Savage do the same thing; Maybe. I have no doubts about mine, they are a pleasure to carry, shoot lights out, are absolutely reliable, and even when I am not hunting or shooting, give me real pleasure because they are beautiful to look at and hold. My motto is I want to hunt with and shoot the nicest gun I can reasonably afford, life is too short to hunt with am ugly gun.

 

[JamesA]

Something like this pops up. Is there is a point, both beauty and price, that makes it a wall hanger?

.45 Caliber Flintlock Rifle — New Towne Gallery

Tiger Maple gun stock with extensive relief carving, 45” Bill Large swamped barrel (w/5 tapers), L&R lock, hand-cut brass hardware, Sterling silver inlays, fine silver wire inlays. Bench made gun by Ohio gunsmith Leonard Kille.

www.newtownegallery.com

[

Beautiful rifle but I could never bring myself to shoot it.

 

[Byron A Rudrow]

Great that there's plenty of us who appreciate gaudy not overstated and priced for a small minority of like minded buyers having the funds and the outstanding sense of I want that before I die and get to wear it out before the kids see it mentality . However I only qualify for gaudy/not overstated and I'll never get it past the boss (wife) who has an eagle eye and the math major I'll never have , either one/Ed

There is plenty of room for all tastes and styles. I’m am the traditional old bachelor so I can spend how I want……with in reason. Now for 50 plus years my Dad thought he was being sly and sneaking “purchases“ past my Mom. He was only partiality successful.

 

[French Colonial]

Not a bad looking rifle from a distance, the wire inlay is pretty boring, it looks like it is all the same width, no tapering or thinner pieces on the ends or where it should be more delicate.
I have seen better carving as well. Price is a little high I believe but price a gun out of the Colonial Williamsburg shop and you will see what expensive really is.
But, if someone is willing to pay that then that is what it is worth.

 

[yellowhammer]

For me, a rifle can get to the point of having too much bling. And that thing has more bling than a ghetto pimp mobile.

Agree. Po' boy preference I guess...

 

[jfahlingsr]

Wow...I haven't heard the names Earl Lanning, Hacker Martin, or Hershel House ( or his Brother) on here in a long time.
I believe they all set the Gold Standard for Flintlocks in their respective Schools BITD that Many are replicating to this day.
There's many, many more but those came to mind.

I've seen ONE documented Hacker Martin Flintlock at a show, but it was not for sale. I couldn't have afforded it anyway if it had been.

But I completely 100% agree with you. $8500 is chump change to a serious collector.

BTW, I'm NOT a serious collector. A sobering thought is I've handled double rifles valued at more than the farm I hunt on.

This one's a heart breaker. You mentioned Hacker Martin and I passed up a chance to buy his last unfinished rifle at Dixie Gun Works in 87 or so. I asked Turner ( who had bought a couple of my Tn Mountain rifles) if he thought I had the skill to finish it, he was enthusiastic and said yes. Well $800 then was more than a plank, lock and barrel. I was torn between what I could make with "modern" components and finishing a Hacker Martin, it's bbl was about 38-39" long, straight Oct and pretty strange looking rifling, wood was maple but not much figure, lock was an imported or a cheap lock or one that had that look, barrel was in it every other part was tied to to the wood. Well I passed it up and regretted it over all these years. I saw and talked to Earl at the Knoxville show last year and was so pleased and impressed with his memory and how sharp he still is. Thanks for thinking of these leaders of the currant batch, PS, I still think Hershel House is the one that truly developed His own school of gunmaking. You can spot one of his guns from across the room or down the firing line.