Restoration of Fine Sporting Arms

[Joe Graziano]

Rich, I agree. This is an open forum and the other gentlemen are welcome to participate in the discussion. I would love to know what happened between the time I dropped the Parker off, until I picked it up several months later in its current condition. Only those two gentlemen know the answer and I invite them to provide it. The Parker is on its way to be evaluated and will update the post after that is complete.

[MD*GSP]

If your point of sale was with Mr. Roberts your dispute is with him, period.

Sounds to me that Mr. Gillette made an honest mistake, and owned up to it instead of slinging bs (which actually says alot about the man). How it's resolved in order to make Mr. Roberts whole, as a result of his indebtedness to you, is between Mr. Gillette and Mr. Roberts. Mr. Roberts, from the sound of it, should be doing whatever it takes to make you happy and as hard as it is due to your frustration, which is understandable, you've got to allow him the opportunity to do that. Sorry to hear your project went sour. Even the best screw up sometimes. Good luck achieving a favorable outcome. I agree w/Edgar, once final machining's occurred..straightening things out is a tall order.

[Joe Graziano]

Scot, you are correct. Again, this is a collector’s forum and my post is about what all can agree is a restoration gone terribly wrong. I have met with Mr. Roberts and we have agreed on a path forward and options for resolving the matter, which I appreciate. I will know in a few days whether or not the frame is repairable. I will update the thread after I know. My update will only involve the restoration of the Parker, which I trust is understandable.

[Joe Graziano]

Darn well said!

[John D.]

Folks, when I last checked this thread early last evening - I really respected the maturity and tenor of all the posts on a very difficult subject. My sincerest thanks for that and hope that all parties are able to resolve it to their satisfaction and everyones reputation and resolve well intact....

In the meantime however and later last night - let's not fall off the proverbial "turnip truck" and force the closure of this thread.

Finally - I don't know - nor do I care - what happened on another BBS. That BBS is not this community, nor will I let it became that BBS.

Have a wonderful day,

John D.

[Craig Budgeon]

Joe, the best advice relating to this thread is from Edgar Spencer. I tried to fix the barreled actions made in Italy of the first Ithaca Classic Doubles after heat treat. I failed. Italian gunsmiths were flown to Victor, NY and spent two weeks attempting to salvage those actions, they failed. The problem was caused by poor machining practice, but the heat treat was the demise of those actions. The barreled actions were made by Merkel in Germany, thereafter. If your determined to repair the gun you may want to seek legal advice first as you may give up your right to compensation.

[King Brown]

Mr. Graziano is to be commended. What makes the world crazy is complacency. If Mr. Graziano had not brought his experience to the board, he would have been corrupted by making it a hide.

[Richard Flanders]

Edgar is spot on... as usual when it comes to matters of metal. I was sitting thinking pretty much what he wrote before I read his post. I wouldn't spend another penny on this one. I'd salvage usable internal parts and give the frame to someone to use as an example of just how wrong things can go and move on. I wouldn't waste my time going after anyone for anything; Life is just too short for that. I'm sitting here now wishing I had my families VH12 that needs a stock and the top rib re-layed so I could send it to Joe so he could try again.

[JJ Roberts]

I meet with Mr. Graziano at the gun show this weekend and gave him my VH Parker frame witch I was saving to engrave and if Joe need any other parts no problem.I have worked with Classic Guns for many years and never had any problems Mr. Gillette has health problems and not been able to watch over the work I will make this right. J.J.Roberts

[todd allen]

I had not heard of Mr. Roberts before, so I did a little Internet research. Nowhere did I see anything negative. Quite the contrary. He has a lot of great reviews, and testimonials.
We can only guess where this went wrong, but appears JJ is on track to make it right.
I'm glad I kept my mouth/keyboard shut.
When I was in business, we learned that sometimes it's more about how you handle screw-ups, than how well you did on your great deeds