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In an age of plastic, chrome, microcircuits and mass production, we tend to seek out objects which are unique, which reflect substance and individual effort. Depending on their nature, we may collect them, exhibit them, or simply covet them. In the case of the long rifle, we may also use them, which in great part explains their continued and even increasing appeal.
Those creations of mankind, which are among his best efforts and which appeal to our aesthetic senses we may call art. The American longrifle at its best, whether two centuaries past or at present, clearly falls into this category. The contemporary longrifle, in fact, has become a bit of an artistic renaissance in wood, brass, and steel; and as such an endeavor matures, trends develop, each equally appealing. At the one end of the spectrum, the gunmaker prefers to create the "aged look", the look of a well
In the past, Ive tended to be in the new gun group. Recently, Ive taken to tarnishing the metal a bit and using blacking in the recesses with a little wear on the high spots. The finish hasn't really changed and this simply tends to soften the new gun look. You'll see this as you sift through the gallery. I have no aversion to making a gun look new or extremly aged. Customer choice. Some honest wear and tear in the wood is perhaps the best device for ageing