Buck Hamlin passed.

[jsd245]

Wow I just saw this. What a bummer. I had him restore two LC smiths for me including one really rough 10ga that he did an incredible job on. I also recently acquired a Lefever that was almost certainly restored by him. He’s did great work and was a really nice guy when I spoke to him.

[Larry the Gun Guy]

I think it may be appropriate, and for Trevor's benefit, to post a few pictures of one of my favorite Buck restorations that he did for me. It's not an expensive gun, but it might be a little rare as the only 28" A grade Lefever skeet gun I've seen; all the rest being 26". Very nice work.
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[Stan Hoover]

That is beautiful Larry,

those case colors are as close to original Ithaca colors as I've seen.

Thanks for sharing,
Stan

[Trevor Rice]

Originally Posted by Larry Stauch

I think it may be appropriate, and for Trevor's benefit, to post a few pictures of one of my favorite Buck restorations that he did for me. It's not an expensive gun, but it might be a little rare as the only 28" A grade Lefever skeet gun I've seen; all the rest being 26". Very nice work.
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Thank you for that! The CCH was his own recipe, I know how he did it but don’t know the mixture. He also free hand checkered the stocks on his lap. He did not use a girdle (which to me is even more impressive)

I loaded a photo of one of his Ithaca guns that looks very similar

[Trevor Rice]

I was wondering if anyone could help identify this? Buck said this was a German Gun and the barrels are from a Lefever.

This gun was used to kill the 5 bearded Turkey

[Bill]

I was hit hard by the news of Buck's passing as we had been talking less than 2 months before then. I had Buck work on a large number of guns with large and small projects in the 35-40 years we talked.

I met him at his home in Pevely in early 1980s where I went to pick up one gun he had restored for me. I was from MO in Rolla and was flying back to see my folks so swung down to visit with Buck and pick up the latest project.

We developed I think a good friendly relationship over the next 35 years and miss him terribly because he taught me so much and had a very dry sense of humor I enjoyed. I have not been back into MO for several years and now regret not making another trip to see him as he was a real craftsman and dear friend.

I remember the time he told me his real first name, Carleton. He did not like it at all and told me if I ever called him by that name he would not have anything further to do with me. LOL

I sent a condolence card as soon as I heard, but that is an inadequate way to say good by to someone I spoke to so often over the years and considered a friend. He is missed!

[Jon Weber]

I too am very sorry to see him go. He did work for me a fair number of years ago and he did an exemplary example of his talents. He completely restored a very rare LC Smith Crown Grade 20ga that was a complete basket case. He had it for well over a year and what he did with that shotgun was incredible. I could hardly recognize it when I first saw it again. A true master of his profession.

Rest in Peace, Buck.
Jon in Idaho

[Trevor Rice]

Jon, do you have any photos of the Crown Grade? I’d like to see them

[Jon Weber]

Hi Trevor. Yes, but I'll have to do some searching and then post them.