Attended Vintager's for first time yesterday. Nice experience; met some interesting and pleasant people, esp. those at the RST booth of Alex and Chris where I purchased some flats of .16s. These folks are genuine and a pleasure to know. Side story: I ordered two flats of shells early this spring before they had their company up to full swing. Alex wasn't able to take my credit card # for payment at the time. Said he would ship what I wanted and include a bill. I should send a check at my convenience. Mildly stunned. How many companies you know would extend that courtesy to an unknown client? It was nice to meet them in person. Good product. Great people.
Second story. I was with two friends from Jersey, J and B, members here, but who shall remain nameless unless they want to identify themselves. The story is about B's encounter with a well known 'smith -- who shall also remain nameless. B owns a beautiful old Lefever double, .12ga., damascus barrels; a project gun he had restored. Gun needed replacement barrels fitted to original frame, doll's head re-shaped and fitted and engraved, case color hardening, stock extension. B initially called and discussed project with our un-named shop and was told work could be performed, no problem. After shipping gun and passage of time, B is informed barrels are incapable of being fitted, but to re-harden/color all original engraving will be removed and re-cut. Stock extension will be costly, etc., etc. B reasons if barrels can't be fitted, why bother with the rest at a cost of thousands? B finds gunsmith in Sidney Center, NY who feels he can do all the necessary work, including saving original engraving. Costs were several thousand less, too. Nice addition if you like subtraction. B got the restored gun back last year. Astounding work, beautifully finished gun -- lock, stock and barrel. B hunted pheasants -- lots of them -- and shot clays -- lots of them -0- over the last 12 months. He had it with him yesterday at Sandanona to shoot some clays. Serendipitous meeting of first gunsmith in the afternoon. Gunsmith sees B's shouldered gun and makes admiring comment, asks to see the gun. More admiring comments. B is both bemused and enjoying the moment -- the apex reached when he chose to say off-handedly, but succinctly, "this gun was in your shop originally. It came back to me because I was told the barrel-work couldn't be done. I had another shop do the work." Our un-named smith handed the gun back without comment but with noticeably less enthusiasm. One of those priceless moments when vindication (if not vengeance) reigns. Life should always be so sweet.
Best,
Will
