I kind of planned on this since I don't really have the funds to have everything done all at once.. If by the end of this year I've located a suitable VH or VHE and had the stock work started and maybe the metal surfaces prepared for engraving, then I'd be happy.

Also I've never had a custom stock fitted before so I don't even know my dimensions, so I'll have to get that done.. I've just always adjusted to whatever gun I was shooting.

That's rather amazing for sure. It took me more then a year just to get in the que due to backlog of the craftsmen involved. In the case of the engravers, once they started on the projects, the turnaround was within 3 or 4 months.

Bob Strosin did the engraving and I worked things around his schedule as far as stock work and metal prep went. Once he started everything moved quickly. I had the blank (this came from Cecil Fredi) picked out ahead of time. One smith did the metal prep and the stock work.

I have had several custom rifles built and the turn around time has been basically the same. I'm amazed at some of the times people tell me it takes to get a custom project done.

Rich, You are right, if you are in a hurry you do not want to do a custom gun, The time for Matties gun was almost two years, worth the wait in my estimation, course it was a little more complex since it started life as a O grade 16 gauge hammer gun with twist barrels, now it has Vulcan steel barrels with the correct third hook. A steel barreled 16gauge hammer gun was what I was after. of course with some embellishments added. I would like to add a 40 cal sharps business gun one day. Gary

Gary please enlighten me as to what a Sharps Business gun would be.

I think my next custom project will be a Fox small bore or another rifle in 6.5X55, the old Swede is still an excellent choice.

Gary, who did your third hook job?

Bill, Chris Dawe did the work and the stock work on Matties Gun

Rich, Sharps business rifle was a no frills version of the 1874 sporting rifle, shorter round barrel and open sites, I would prefer 40 cal. This would be the platform to start from if you could find it! Gary

Well Rich I have got to stop buying all these guns! Just bought a JD Schimdt over and under with side hammers and jones underlever in 45-70 made around 1915 or so should get it today or tomorrow, It is a back action with lots of engraving, Jim found the gun for me should be fun to shoot, Gary

It sounds like it would be a blast to shoot. I have a Heym .500 B.P.E. rifle with hammers and a Jones under lever. It's a back action and fun to shoot and amazingly accurate for an iron sighted rifle. I hope to take a deer with it.

I have a line on a couple of Parker small bore but the jewel in waiting is a 16ga CHE that's got probably 80% case color, 30 inch barrels, PG. SPF. A really nice gun.

My daughter is getting married the end of September and that's not inexpensive:nono: