A pair of A1 special customs

[Brian Dudley]

Here is a pair of Gournet Engraved repro A1 specials that I just finished restocking for the owner. The straight grip was engraved in 2011 and the pistol grip gun was engraved in 2024. Both are 12g 2 bbl sets. The 2011 gun is done much more traditionally and the 2024 gun is coined the “woodcock gun” for obvious reasons.

In both cases the factory wood was replicated in much nicer quality walnut and the checkering was all cut to be much more elaborate than factory repro A1s, much more like the original Meriden guns.

In both cases the metal work was already done, so I had to work around the metal finish when restock them, much more care is taken when doing this.

You can see here also photos of the wood that came off the guns. In comparison to the new.


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[Jim DiSpagno]

Absolutely gorgeous Brian.

[Todd Schrock]

Fabulous! Master craftsmanship on full display!!

[J. Scott Hanes]

Exquisite workmanship! Both the metal and the wood. Saying the new wood is an upgrade from the original may be the most understated comment I have seen!

[David Livesay]

That's unbelievable workmanship. Those guns are absolutely gorgeous.

[Paul Ehlers]

Spectacular would be an understatement!

The wood quality & figure is something I've always wondered about on repro A-1 specials & B-grades and these guns point this out well. Even though I've seen several of these higher-grade repro's with nice wood, most of them I've observed have had similar wood which is more commonly found on D-grade guns and I've always wondered why better figured wood wasn't used on the top end offerings.

When looking at the before & after pictures my observations ring true. The original wood on it's own is very nice and I would love to have either of those on a D-grade repro, but IMO they do fall short for A-1's. The owner of these guns must have felt the similar about them.

I'm in awe of how well this project came together and the talent of the craftsmen who brought these two guns to the level where they are today! I salute everyone involved and thank you for taking the time to share them with us! They are the epidemy of fine craftsmanship & gun artistry!!

[allen newell]

Brian, you are absolutely the Master.

[William Woods]

Nothing I can add to what has already been stated.

Thank you for sharing the pictures.

[chris dawe]

Beautiful job Brian!

[Bill Murphy]

I am impressed, Brian.

[tom tutwiler]

Fantastic Pair. Gournet engraved some of the nicest Woodcock I've ever seen. Miss the sounds of his hammer tapping metal at the shows. Sure I'm not alone.

[Dean Romig]

Nooo you're not Tom.





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[Brett Farley]

Beautiful guns Brian and superb stock work!! Thanks for sharing.

[Gene Chohon]

So very impressed by your work. Just beautiful