[mobirdhunter]

I met Channing Will and his wife Danielle at the PGCA Banquet and had a good chat about their gunsmith business. I've been looking for someone to replace Bachelders, and so yesterday visited Channing to drop off some guns for work. He was kind enough to spend some good time with us looking over my guns (seven Parkers!) and the work that would be done. He also gave me a tour of his place. I was impressed with the work I saw going on, and the finished work he had on display. I thought others here might be interested in seeing a bit more about Will Brothers Restoration in Ossineke, Michigan.

Photos:

1&2 Elaine and I enjoyed talking with Channing about his pathway to being a gunsmith, including his time working with Brad Bachelder. His family has an impressive history of gunsmithing, and some of it was on display in his showroom. We were greeted by his German Shorthair, always a good sign to know there's a fellow bird hunter in the house.

3&4 He showed me the stock making process, from choosing blanks, to making templates, to the finished product.

5. He employs a small staff who we met, each engaged in a special part of the work. The bags on the pallets below the flag are charcoal he buys by the pallet for the case hardening he does using his own recipe.

6. Guns awaiting work. I saw a range of double guns awaiting work and through our discussion it was clear that Channing has a broad backround of experience.

7. I like to be able to meet with the smith that works on my guns, and was very impressed with all I saw in the small town of Ossineke, MI in a beautiful part of the State.