A1 Reproduction Custom Project

[David]

Much has happened since the last post so I thought I would give a final update on this A1 Special project. As you all know Mr Gournet passed in March of 2025. I want to thank Brian Dudley of the forum who as it happened had just received the engraved pieces back from being case hardened. Brian was very helpful in pulling the last few steps of the project together.

After a bit of time passed I was able to trade some messages with Geoffroy's wife Virginie and we had a nice phone conversation - I was pretty torn up by this unfortunate situation and it was a tough call to make.. Hard to ask a grieving widow to worry about suddenly small things like FFL paperwork and shipping hassles.. We worked through the details in May and I received the gun in June.

Virginie was absolutely all class in helping to work through the final steps and shipment of the finished gun. I just can’t even put into words here the many nuanced meanings of this project.

There was a little stretch of weather here a few weeks back that allowed me to take the A1 out. I was nervous as all heck and thinking about Geoffroy and the gun and how well Virginie had treated me on the project.. The old cliche of - yah, i'll never forget that hunt. Managed to drop a fat rooster and get some pictures. Was out with a guy I have known since the early 70’s and it just really hit home that we are not here for a long time. It’s a pretty fast ride and I’m just thankful to still be on it.

Not sure how often I will take this in the field but I am sure happy I got it out this fall and wanted to share a few pictures and kind of put an end cap on this.. many thanks to those who followed along.