Gunsmithing = Art?
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Sean Smith
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Bostonterrier97
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I consider Engraved Single Action Revolvers to be Art, such as this sidearm worn by General Patton
Ed Brunner
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Are we talking visual art?
If so, a few thoughts.
Is Patton's SA considered art or is it art upon art ?
If form follows function, then JMB's 1911 is hard to beat.
And what about the elegant beauty of the M1 Rifle?
Alright. So I'm old.
If so, a few thoughts.
Is Patton's SA considered art or is it art upon art ?
If form follows function, then JMB's 1911 is hard to beat.
And what about the elegant beauty of the M1 Rifle?
Alright. So I'm old.
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Fine Arts, Decorative Arts, Folk Art, Performing Arts... It's all in the eye of the beholder. Wait until that Minneapolis exhibit open guys. I'll take time off just to see that exhibit. Guns, guns, guns... Richly engraved and relief carved wood. Fit for a king.
My standards? If I can make it, then it can't be art.
My standards? If I can make it, then it can't be art.
A couple of those guns from Dane were/are mine. I sold one of them because I felt stupid not shooting it and just pulling it out of my safe to look at, I now feel really stupid for having sold it.
Some might not find it all that hard to build a gun, Dane has told me it isn't, but to make it look like some of the pictures you've seen, best of luck.
Some might not find it all that hard to build a gun, Dane has told me it isn't, but to make it look like some of the pictures you've seen, best of luck.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Porter, it seems to me you're imposing limits on "gunsmith" and "machinist" which might not be apropos.
I'd agree that one who merely assembles parts is no artist--but I don't think folks are talking about that sort of gunsmith.
A gunsmith could well be a Samuel Colt, who not only did the mechanical design but considered the shape and proportions and came up with something which not only functioned but was pleasing to the eye. Not only that, he did it more than once!
, Art
I'd agree that one who merely assembles parts is no artist--but I don't think folks are talking about that sort of gunsmith.
A gunsmith could well be a Samuel Colt, who not only did the mechanical design but considered the shape and proportions and came up with something which not only functioned but was pleasing to the eye. Not only that, he did it more than once!
, ArtPorter Rockwell
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Yohan-
Hello, fantastic cut and paste work!
I wasn't intending a "flame" post but was attempting to post a personal opinion.
My children learned detail stripping 1911s when they were pre-teen ladies. No, not difficult at all. Brownings design is genius, it's very simple once shown how it works.
The word artist is thrown around often and IMO very loosely, even the people on the boob tube that are adept at reading teleprompters are called stars and artists. That's quite a change from when they were merely traveling minstrels.
The engraving these days may well be done by an artist or someone who's good at operating a duplication engraver.
Hello, fantastic cut and paste work!
I wasn't intending a "flame" post but was attempting to post a personal opinion.
My children learned detail stripping 1911s when they were pre-teen ladies. No, not difficult at all. Brownings design is genius, it's very simple once shown how it works.
The word artist is thrown around often and IMO very loosely, even the people on the boob tube that are adept at reading teleprompters are called stars and artists. That's quite a change from when they were merely traveling minstrels.
The engraving these days may well be done by an artist or someone who's good at operating a duplication engraver.
Porter Rockwell
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- 226
Gun Smith Art?
Thanks for the comments Mr Eatman, the times and titles have certainly changed in my short sixty years and thusly am a product of my own experiences.
dare I compare a handgun to a hammer or a highly polished and finished Snap On ratchet? A firearm is simply a tool after all, many may be customized to suit an individuals tastes or unique environments. I wonder why we don't see more engraved and plated golf clubs? Sorry, I was visualizing how we as Americans try so hard to be different by customizing everthing from cars and Harleys to stereos and computers.
I guess I just don't recall all the adjectives and detailed exclaimations when Clark/Pachmeyer/Swenson etc were quietly building match winning 1911s. Nowdays it seems most anyone can hang the gunsmith shingle out and subcontract the lions share of the work and get the credit?
Should I ask how many of the 1911 smiths can turn out their own handmade rifle recievers like Ed Brown or build the entire barrel action like Hart?
I apologise for pontificating at length.
Thanks for the comments Mr Eatman, the times and titles have certainly changed in my short sixty years and thusly am a product of my own experiences.
dare I compare a handgun to a hammer or a highly polished and finished Snap On ratchet? A firearm is simply a tool after all, many may be customized to suit an individuals tastes or unique environments. I wonder why we don't see more engraved and plated golf clubs? Sorry, I was visualizing how we as Americans try so hard to be different by customizing everthing from cars and Harleys to stereos and computers.
I guess I just don't recall all the adjectives and detailed exclaimations when Clark/Pachmeyer/Swenson etc were quietly building match winning 1911s. Nowdays it seems most anyone can hang the gunsmith shingle out and subcontract the lions share of the work and get the credit?
Should I ask how many of the 1911 smiths can turn out their own handmade rifle recievers like Ed Brown or build the entire barrel action like Hart?
I apologise for pontificating at length.
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