Buck's passing is a terrible blow to the entire double gun community, with Lefever probably being the most seriously affected. Buck was not only an extraordinarily talented gunsmith, but a repository of knowledge that he was more than willing to share. He will be missed.

Mr Hamlin
 

Now that's indeed a blow. He was my go to guy for Foxes, LC Smiths and Lefevers. He's the one that cleaned up that 30" 16 gauge Sterlingworth that I showed in "Other Fine Doubles" amongst several others. I would send him a gun and it would be back in 3-4 weeks. Just a great, hard working, guy.
I have to ask if anyone knows what took him? RIP Buck....:bowdown:

Apparently cancer took him . . . And so many others

Very sad to hear. I didn’t meet him in person but enjoyed several conversations by phone. He worked on a few guns for me and did a fine job. He was quite a nice gentleman and he will be missed by many.

I never met Buck nor had any work done by him but we talked a few years ago when he was looking for some scarce Fox smallbore ejector parts. Of course i knew his name from having seen him mentioned in many posts here and there. We had a long conversation and I quickly learned he was genuinely friendly, unimposing and really knew what he was talking about on Foxes. Very good vibes and it like he was an old friend I hadn't talked with in a while. I sent him one part along with a dimensioned sketch of another one that was my last and I didn't want to part with. He understood and said he'd make that one from scratch. Godspeed to a good man and comfort to his family knowing he's in our Lord's hands.

Mr. Hamlin was a icon in the double-gun world. We are losing too many skilled craftsmen and way too much knowledge goes with them. Too bad he didn't have some texts written for posterity. I never met Buck but spoke with him a few times over the phone too. He was always gracious in sharing any knowledge he could. A great man and a tremendous loss to us all. Prayers for his family.

“Buck” Hamlin’s survivors might appreciate seeing all of these very positive and even heart-felt remembrances of the man.

I know of instances where a polymath has passed away and family members are oblivious to one particular sphere of influence in which the decedent had been held by many in high regard.

I am not sure if those circumstances apply here, but some members likely do.

Russell, thank you for your kind words. I am Bucks youngest Grandson. His shop is shut down to the public but I am working on his last gun he started for “next years Turkey season”. Field Grade LC Smith “hammerless”
I’ve been out of his shop for around 15-20 years, I’ve forgotten more than I know.

I really do appreciate everyone’s kindness

I always enjoyed his turkey hunting stories and the guns he fixed up each year just for the occasion.

My favorite is when he shot the 5 bearded Tom