doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Sad news Alfred W Gallifent - RIP

I met Alfred at the Vintagers show in Millbrook, NY several years ago. I had a Pair of A & S Castore hammer guns that had an ejector problem. Remo Salvinelli was there that year also and I had made arrangements for him to look at the problem in advance. Alfred's booth was right next to A & S and he had a large array of gunsmith tools and a work bench and vise. He lent Remo his tools to work on my gun right there at the show. Remo was constantly being distracted by the other people at the show while he was at the show. Alfred picked up the gun and began finishing the work started by Remo. In about and hour or so the ejectors worked perfectly. Remo gave Alfred the highest of praise for the work he did saying that he was as good as any gunsmith he had ever worked with. I tried to offer to pay Alfred for his time and work and he would not even take a small token amount of money. He shaked my hand and said it was his pleasure to help me with repairing my gun. He was a true gentleman. My prayers are with his family and friends. They have lost a fine man.

Truely a gentleman and a scholar of all he enjoyed. Just a few notes to express my sorrow and admiration of Alf.
Above photo was taken at Jeff,s shooting farm in RI. We set up the tents during the aftermath of a tornado. Early morning proved to be a disaster for all Guns on display. Within 15 minutes, a fine mist of rust had formed on all the guns and getting worse by the minute. Alf to the rescue! Within a few hours, we brought all the guns thru Alf's mobile bench and saved them all. I can not imagine the pile of money he saved me, not wanting a nickel in payment. Interesting observation made by Alf was that the better quality guns had much less deterioration than the cheaper ones. Sorry to say the American guns did not fair well.
Also on this occasion, Alf offered to order some Young's Gun Oil from Birmingham, ENG. I needed a bottle or 2. 3 months later, a semi backs up to my office and drops off 4, 5 imperial gallon drums on a skid. One for me, one for David T and the other 2 to be forwarded to Alf in PA. That's why we have oil for sale on our sight.
My biggest regret is that Alf never came up to fish for Atlantics as we had planned. Now he will have the long deserved rest that he needed. Tight lines Alf...

Alf was Swiss by birth and British by training, and brought the the best of both cultures to his gunmaking and 'smithing. He will be missed, and as previous posters have alluded not only for his skills on the bench. My sincere condolences to his family.