Thank you Brad...
 

As with most PGCA members I was shocked and saddened when I read Rich's post of the passing of Brad Batchelder.. On my late evening drive home from work tonight I was given time to reflect on the joy and excitement of this hobby of ours, and how Brad would make bringing an old worn out work horse back to glory so rewarding and fulfilling.. It becomes almost an addiction to look for new projects and the anticipation to finally hold the finished product.. When a gun was returned I liked to make a habit of holding the gun and calling the shop to tell Brad "What a great job they had done ,and Thank You" (and it always has been just that). Some people lay down wreaths and flowers... Some cards and ribbons..... I want to leave a picture of a beautifull Batchelder restored V grade 20 bore that is special to me and sadly say just one more time.... What a great job Brad.. and Thank You......................

John very well said. We lost a great friend on Wed and your post is a tribute to Brad and how many of us feel.

John, I am certain many of us know just how you feel, and perhaps have had the same thoughts these past few hours. This may be a good place for all of us to share our favorite pieces of Brads work.
I remember the day he called me up to tell me how delighted he was to see how beautiful these barrels were, after being refinished. It certainly made them 'pop'. It was Brad, not me, who affectionately named this gun "The Gun From Hell" because of the fits it was giving him. His exacting expectations are just what gave me the confidence to know every project was going to be perfect when it was returned. If the case hardening colors seem muted, it is because he gave the gun the "Carmichael" treatment, aging it back to the warm, well loved look it has today, rather than to look brand new. While the stock is by Chris Dawe, all remaining work was by Brad. This is my sporting clays gun.

I am looking forward to someone writing a fitting tribute to Brad, for the Parker Pages.

I needed a crack fixed in my GHE. The gun being original, I was hoping to have it fixed without a total refinish. Brad convinced me that to fix the crack correctly the wood would need to be refinished. He said "I think you'll be pretty happy once its done, there appears to be some pretty good looking grain under that old finish that should really come out" I was stunned at the results. The first picture is the before. Thank you Brad, you will truly be missed!

I just talked to Brad on the phone and ask if he could make it for the presentation of the trojan to the lucky youth that had his name drawn, he was going to try but I could tell he was very weak sounding the gun is being delivered to my house today, It is beautiful as was all of Brads work. This gun will be special and I hope the winner of the drawing will cherish it, I will try to post photos

Photos of the Trojan to be given away

Brad did great work, Gary

Wow! Great work indeed!

Dr. Steve Parker of Canton, OH and I would like to recognize Brad's phenomenal work in restoring the historic "Boomtown Parker" AH of Mr. S. A. Pace of Corsicana TX.

Brad was a true craftsman there's no doubt about it and I'm sure the original craftsmen at Parker Brothers would have been proud of his work as well. I never had much work done by Brad but did appreciate his talents and took comfort in the knowledge that he was there if needed. He did a set of Damascus barrels for me just last year. They were for a CHE 20 and I hemmed and hawed about getting them done but I'm glad I did so.

He will be missed by a great many people.

I have no doubt, that is what Parker Bros. intended their guns to look like. Stunning indeed!

When I first got into this game I wanted nothing more than to own a Parker. At the time I couldn't afford a decent one and ended up buying a 16 vh that was just slightly off face. The price reflected that which put it within my grasp. I shot that gun "as was" for a season and then someone mentioned to me I should take it to Bachelder. He worked with me to accommodate my budget and when I got the gun back from him it had the most pleasant singing ring when I would snap it shut. I wish I still had that gun. Thanks Brad.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/picture...ictureid=10159

Terribly sad to hear about this. Brad turned this very badly abused DH into something worth a second or even third look. His expertise will be missed. Link for all the photos of this gun.

http://parkerguns.org/forums/album.p...pictureid=5720

Gentleman Brad helped me clean up this skeet gun 5 years ago. This thread seems to be an honorable way to say good bye to a very nice man. So here is a picture of my Brad story. RIP.

May Brad rest in peace and his family find peace through their sorrow. His work was phenomenal. Here is a 1903 16ga VH O frame he restored.