I was going thru some old pictures on my computer and came across these again. Every time I look at them the degree of skill and precison involved in executing this kind of work begs the question "How did they do that"? Yes, the adjectives like experience, skill, pride and so on apply but focus on the detail of finish involved in the last 1% or 2% of effort. Any ideas of the actual techniques used especially in the case of the Purdey? Here, there is only one instance of the slightest tool mark (small chisel cuts best seen with magnification)which appear on the radius of the tang/action-body intersection. The rest of it looks like it was cast from plastic. In the A.H. picture, notice the compound angle/radius cut for the end of the upper main spring leaf and the total absence of tool marks on the "flat" interior portions of the mortise. Amazing work!!
Jim Westberg
A circa 1920 Purdey
A circa 1865 Alex Henry
