doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com J. D. Steele

He was generous with his knowledge, I will miss him.

Joe and I had been in contact about an old model Lyman 48 rear sight and various parts for a G&H side mount which I have lying around. I expect they were for your rifle. We were planning a visit sometime in the immediate future, to give him an opportunity to rummage through my parts boxes.

I will certainly miss him, for although I never laid eyes on him, nor even talked to him over the phone, I felt as though I knew him.

Bill Warren

I first came across Joe on another site which shall remain nameless. I found him again on this site when the Classic and Single barrel forum topic was first opened.

In the initial discussions of all the old craftsmen gunsmiths of the 30s I mentioned I had lusted after a G&H style Springfield for at least 50 years. Joe said he would like to do the rifle and he intended to make it one he would want to sign. We acquired a double heat treated action with a Lyman 48, a Green Mountain barrel and a nice piece of English from the Richters and Joe added a Jaeger sidemount with rings. Ken Hurst agreed to do engraving. He did the Barney Worthen bolt lock on the action and modified the trigger guard floorplate with a clever hinge that kept the original release with an added button. the stock has been rough shaped and it looked like it was going to be a very handsome rifle.

Now it may never be finished and that is sad. If I can recover the parts I would like to have it completed but I would trade it all and start over to have Joe back.

Jerry Liles

I'm truly taken back by the news, just so unexpected. When I purchased my first 1885 a few years back and was thinking of tearing it down for a custom Joe intervened, told me it was in fine shape for a 3 digit gun and helped to clean it up. Of course he was right, just yesterday I was cleaning that gun and thought of him and his help.

I always found him to polite and friendly, even when his opinions went against the norm. Truly one of the gentlemen here and I'm glad to have known him. He was among the best of us.

Sad news. Joe helped me out with some Martini Cadet issues, was a great guy to work with. I'll think of him every time I pick up the little rifle.

I am saddened. I have enjoyed Joe's posts here and on the other site for several years. Although I am far away, we exchanged many e-mails and our common interests went beyond guns. He will not be replaced.

That is very sad news. A few years ago I posted on another forum and Joe was the first to welcome me to the forum. His knowledge and experience will be missed. Vaya con Dios Joe.
Art

As some of you may know Joewas a very special friend of mine.And I will greatly miss him. Whitey

I have a Highwall action that Joe restored. It is a close coupled double set trigger model. I just ordered a barrel in .30-40 for it. Now the gun will take on a special meaning for me. So long Joe.

I never met the man but read most of his postings, another among the many I "met" here I will miss. --- John