Unsung heroes of Gunsmithing

 This post is about those gunsmiths, both professional and hobbyist that are unknown or at least not very well known.

There are probably hundreds of gunsmiths that I could introduce you to. Maybe this is just the start? These men inspire me to continue the hobby and learn new skills.

This guy, who I do not know the name or identify of, I don't even know how to find the pictures again. Anyway, this guy made his own steel receiver and trigger housing for his Marlin model 60, then color case hardened them, then built a custom walnut stock including a machined aluminum butt plate.

His work is incredible.

I have featured plenty of projects by Sharps 40, he mostly works with Ruger single actions, but also some others. He can be found on various forums, just search for Sharps 40 and you will find him.

While his work isn't what some would call the work of a master, he has does most of his work with hand tools (no lathes, milling machines or CNC).

Another unknown gunsmith built this revolver and custom coffin cased monster hunting kit.

Another unknown gunsmith took a Cobray/Leinad double barrel 45 Colt/.410 pistol and took it to the next level

For the record, this is what an unmodified Cobray/Leinad pistol looks like:

This one was built by a guy on the Rimfire Central forum, he goes by the screen name Teddy Bear Rat, he built a custom receiver from brass and then built a custom stock.

See more here

This 43lb rifle is chambered in 50 BMG, built by Justin Kamal, a student at Trinidad Junior College

We'll finish with this Ruger Blackhawk in 45 Colt. This gunsmith started with a standard .45 Colt Blackhawk Bisley, he took a Blackhawk 357 Maximum cylinder and cut it down, rebored it and added recessed chambers like the older S&W Magnum revolvers. The barrel is a Shilen octagon barrel, custom fit and machined for this gun. He had fit many of the parts including custom trigger and hammer pins, Power Custom cylinder stop and base pin.

Then he custom built the grips including making his own brass screw escutcheons and Ruger medallions. The fit and finish is superb, see the pictures for yourself, more can be found at the Ruger Forum.