That's no dime.... that's a six cent piece. :rolleyes:


Beautiful Bulino engraving and wonderful scroll too.

Actually I guess it's not really Bulino (the quail) but it is as nice!





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ha ha ha, yes about 7.6 cents US today Dean

Needless to say I am quite happy with the progress.

For those of you that have not messed with engraving, just pick out a picture! Realism comes from reality!

Have a wonderful evening everyone!

I really like how that bottom scene melds right into the surrounding scroll work instead of being segregated from it.

That floorplate is beautiful and I agree with Brian on the engraving. Now are you going to case color the receiver or do a French gray? I think you are going to lose a lot of detail if you case color it or maybe you could case color it and the rub down the colors so the detail isn't lost. Just wondering............ But the main thing is it is one wonderful gun !

Since the gun was annealed it will be hardened and then any color will be taken off with french gray being the end result.

Good choice Brian. That engraving is wonderful!





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It has been a fun project, hard to believe this started out as a 20 ga Sterlingworth in a box for $225. I think its good for those interested in a project like this to understand that the Parker and Fox gun platforms are fantastic starts for a custom guns. Sterlingworth's, VHE's and even the DHE 157766 I listed yesterday bought very reasonably are the best start to build what you want. DON'T START WITH JUNK, junk yields junk. Collecting original guns is wonderful but to get into the really good stuff you will be north of $8000 with the sky being the limit, also you may be afraid to shoot it. You can also go to CSMC and pay $15,000 with the sky being the limit. Depending on your taste a 1st class custom can be done with a $10000 budget, the stock dimensions you want, the chokes you want, your design and shooting a new classic that will be something generations of your family will be proud of! Custom guns do not typically yield profit though, you are building this gun for you and make sure it is something you will enjoy and shoot!!

My next project, a 16 ga 32" VH 1 frame with excellent metal, not in the record book and the wood is a mess. A perfect start to a great gun.

Truer words could never be spoken in regards to donor guns for projects ...I've literally torn my hair out making junk work ,in the end I will always know its there it haunts me under all the lipstick ......like that late night rendezvous,just as the bar was closing ,you say what the hell no one will know .....then shes finds your phone number :knowbetter:

Yes Brian, a great custom gun can be built for $10,000 - $12,000. And figure about half of that budget being eaten up by engraving.
The most important thing is having a sound donor gun or more so, sound barrels. And that can usually be had for under $1,000 depending on what it is.