AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: bama on September 15, 2025, 12:03:29 AM
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Here for your review is a pair of Virginia F. Klette rifles, not copies, but in the style of Mr. Klette.
One is right handed and one left handed. These rifles were ordered by the Grandfather of the two brothers. Mr. Bean got to visit the shop a couple of times while I was building the rifles but unfortunately he passed before I got them completed. You will see in each of the patch boxes a silver presentation pate that the Grandfather wanted. It was an honor to build these for the brothers and I hope that they cherish the rifles to hono their Grandfather.
I will be test firing them soon and the brothers are coming with their Grandmother to pick the rifles up in a couple of weeks. I hope you enjoy the pictures.
Jim
(https://i.ibb.co/rYPX8Gf/IMG-6685.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Lmwsjzh)
(https://i.ibb.co/TqkHcwqN/IMG-6686.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Z1Vhdf1b)
(https://i.ibb.co/99SZwytc/IMG-6687.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vxRXsLYV)
(https://i.ibb.co/JwLH5nDP/IMG-6688.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8L396M1V)
(https://i.ibb.co/sJRdxNDC/IMG-6689.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k6BsbwrJ)
(https://i.ibb.co/jFV6TcS/IMG-6690.jpg) (https://ibb.co/f7812hs)
(https://i.ibb.co/0pZ7rRhB/IMG-6691.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8n2C9L6z)
(https://i.ibb.co/CsBcDqCd/IMG-6692.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BKLpFmWD)
(https://i.ibb.co/HTccPNxC/IMG-6693.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WvrrzDP0)
(https://i.ibb.co/DfWP68Dw/IMG-6694.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qYjL4WMm)
(https://i.ibb.co/0d9hrfG/IMG-6695.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6ftgF4W)
(https://i.ibb.co/237NmycC/IMG-6696.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4RZd974X)
(https://i.ibb.co/XZhGChRw/IMG-6697.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nsHKLHJW)
(https://i.ibb.co/gsFgZ9y/IMG-6698.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XmkJxLX)
(https://i.ibb.co/HDv7xbsW/IMG-6699.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N6hxmJP8)
(https://i.ibb.co/MkfjPH6G/IMG-6700.jpg) (https://ibb.co/tpzNY6Xx)
(https://i.ibb.co/vx8zZy0s/IMG-6701.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8DV86v1z)
(https://i.ibb.co/spQTBwBD/IMG-6702.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cKtWmFmp)
(https://i.ibb.co/jZWHwJVS/IMG-6703.jpg) (https://ibb.co/CsMW9PJf)
(https://i.ibb.co/Kpxvq20s/IMG-6704.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cShnF6g8)
(https://i.ibb.co/7xt1zr33/IMG-6705.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6c0WZDKK)
(https://i.ibb.co/1B6KDh8/IMG-6706.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YJZ8zYp)
(https://i.ibb.co/C5K97xxT/IMG-6707.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SXwmnqq9)
(https://i.ibb.co/SbfhcFK/IMG-6708.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BbnXG0g)
(https://i.ibb.co/HD72sspj/IMG-6709.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rGktSSfV)
(https://i.ibb.co/4ZX5mzRt/IMG-6710.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PZPfmKGj)
(https://i.ibb.co/S7sstgb2/IMG-6711.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6JnnHSz2)
(https://i.ibb.co/pvBxfh4t/IMG-6712.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XZrb7YFh)
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What a wonderful pair! I'm sure the brothers will be thrilled!
John
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I’m in awe, actually. What beautiful creations are these. You are so very talented.
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Hi Jim,
Wow!! What great work. You have really become a very fine engraver. Doing long bouts of letter engraving is taxing and requires high levels of skill.
dave
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Those are two very stunning rifles. As Dave said, you have incredible engraving skills.
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Well done Bama, they are pretty special. StevenV
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Excellent! But how is one brother going to argue that he has the better rifle?!? ;D
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Very nice, Jim.
What went into your decisions about the locks?
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They are beautiful Jim. Most impressive! :)
Carl
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Wet rock, when I initially took the commission I thought I was building two right handed rifles. I built a copy of the original for myself in 2007 and I used a Chamber’s early Ketland lock, which is flat faced and a great performer. Jim Kibler had started selling his cnc’d locks which are about the same size as early Ketland so I decided to use them on the rifles. I also thought the round faced locks would work well with the sleek design of the rifles. When the brothers came to the shop for me to fit the rifles to them, I found out one of them was left handed. The best left handed lock on the market in my opinion is the Chamber’s left handed Siler. It’s not as long and sleek looking as the Kibler lock, but I think it fits the design well enough and it is a great lock. Sorry for the long explanation, but that’s how the lock choice came about.
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I was just about to ask Why the 2 dif locks ? Myself, I like the Ketland the best, but
of course I prefer flat faces locks anyway, & especially the Chambers Ketland.
Boy you outdid yourself on these two, they are both excellent. ;)
Keith Lisle
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Beautiful work!,
Tony
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That was quite a challenging undertaking Jim. Obviously, it was more than just building two rifles. you were making a family's legacy. I think you did yourself proud. Thanks for sharing.
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Aint that cool!
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Those are beautiful Jim. Even though it was double the work, I am sure when they are delivered you will receive double the pleasure. Building a pair of pistols or a set of matching rifles is way harder than most builders anticipate. Again, WOW!
David
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BEAUTFUL!!
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Those are Beautiful, You got skills Brother.
Tim
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Wow! Those really are special.
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Beautiful work Jim! That was quite a challenge building mirror image rifles for those young men, well done. As a lefty I agree with you that the Siler is the best of the left hand locks, too bad we don't have other high quality options.
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Hi Jim,
Wow!! What great work. You have really become a very fine engraver. Doing long bouts of letter engraving is taxing and requires high levels of skill.
dave
I got tired just thinking about getting the screws aligned.Grand ranked art for sure and thanks for showing these rifles.
Bob Roller