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.

Some of Buck's work
 

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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That is beautiful Larry,

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

Thanks for sharing,
Stan

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

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

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!

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

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

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