AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: Turkeycreek on January 24, 2023, 08:34:55 PM
-
Does anyone know what ever happened to Steve Davis? I have been an admirer of his work since the late '70s. The only one of his guns I've ever gotten my hands on was about 5 years ago at the Tulsa gun show, and I saw it there two years in a row. The gentleman wanted 4 grand for it if I remember correctly, and there just wasn't any way I could afford it. I still dream about that rifle! I kick myself for not taking some pictures of it!
Any info on him would be greatly appreciated.
TC
-
Steve is still around. He packed up and left Middle Tennessee. Relocated on the upper Michigan Peninsula. He is still working.
Mel Hankla was selling Steve’s personal rifle that is signed my Hershel House but made by both Steve and Hershel during Steve’s apprenticeship.
(https://i.ibb.co/tzXbrTx/388978-F9-BD69-4-CFE-B3-C0-9-FCDFD1-CF027.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8bcjZLd)
-
Thanks so much for letting me know. I'm just happy that he's still alive and turning out his marvelous work. Maybe someday I will get to handle one of his guns again!
TC
-
He was great early on. I’ve always admired his work.
-
Having had the pleasure of handling one of his rifles I agree that he did outstanding work.
Dennis
-
There is a short bio on him in in The Book of Buckskinning III, which shows front and back views of three of his rifles.
-
Yes, that was what first introduced me to his work, way back when BOB III first came out. Seen bits and pieces throughout the years and finally got to examine his work first hand.
-
I own one of Steve’s rifles.
-
Maasral, I would love to see some photos if possible.
TC
-
Here are some pictures of the Steve Davis rifle that I have.
(https://i.ibb.co/JmTCCRT/DSCN8915.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PFyttZy)
cover photos for facebook rain (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/7KzNdWQ/DSCN8919.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Wf3p4y0)
(https://i.ibb.co/jWTbXJJ/DSCN8920.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4Y7Kr11)
(https://i.ibb.co/6t5T2sR/DSCN8922.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vd8Tbzx)
(https://i.ibb.co/F87F8Ls/DSCN8923.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vLzSL6s)
(https://i.ibb.co/3MndFF5/DSCN8925.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k9tBDDV)
(https://i.ibb.co/g4RRp8s/DSCN8932.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2ZkkQrX)
-
That's a beauty. When do you suppose he made it?
-
Steve told me he built that gun in 1988.
-
Maasral, thanks for sharing the photos! Fantastic rifle. You are blessed to have it.
TC
-
https://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/search?q=steve+davis
Another beautiful piece!
-
Love that toe plate box… just a nice gun all the way around ! Thanks for sharing.
-
Earliest toe box I have seen.
-
Turkey creek,
For more of Steve’s amazing work, look on the contemporarymakers.blogspot.com. There are several nice Steve Davis pieces on there. Good luck!
elkhorne
-
Thanks Elkhorn!
-
Earliest toe box I have seen.
Yes Mike, the toe box is another very interesting aspect of this piece and serves to highlight Steve's incredible talent.
TC
-
Steve is still around. He packed up and left Middle Tennessee. Relocated on the upper Michigan Peninsula. He is still working.
Mel Hankla was selling Steve’s personal rifle that is signed my Hershel House but made by both Steve and Hershel during Steve’s apprenticeship.
(https://i.ibb.co/tzXbrTx/388978-F9-BD69-4-CFE-B3-C0-9-FCDFD1-CF027.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8bcjZLd)
This gun will be available for y’all to see this weekend at the lake Cumberland show!
-
Here are some pictures of the Steve Davis rifle that I have.
(https://i.ibb.co/JmTCCRT/DSCN8915.jpg) (https://ibb.co/PFyttZy)
cover photos for facebook rain (https://imgbb.com/)
(https://i.ibb.co/7KzNdWQ/DSCN8919.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Wf3p4y0)
(https://i.ibb.co/jWTbXJJ/DSCN8920.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4Y7Kr11)
(https://i.ibb.co/6t5T2sR/DSCN8922.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vd8Tbzx)
(https://i.ibb.co/F87F8Ls/DSCN8923.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vLzSL6s)
(https://i.ibb.co/3MndFF5/DSCN8925.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k9tBDDV)
(https://i.ibb.co/g4RRp8s/DSCN8932.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2ZkkQrX)
I like everything about that rifle, I hope to be lucky enough own such a fine rifle some day. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us.
-
Here's one I bought quite a few years ago. I took 30 years to find it.
(https://i.ibb.co/XjvSr78/DSCF0004.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FmjgL5V)
(https://i.ibb.co/J782WGw/DSCF0012.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FwcJkyL)
(https://i.ibb.co/gtz2Jfx/DSCF0013.jpg) (https://ibb.co/SVRjBMz)
(https://i.ibb.co/HP1TfW5/DSCF0016.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vdg4670)
(https://i.ibb.co/Ny7njZb/s-davis-001.jpg) (https://ibb.co/FDnqwgC)
(https://i.ibb.co/TLhw1JP/s-davis-005.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gVgrdQt)
These next three rifles are not mine: Ihate to admit it but this is no long mine .Still kicking my self for selling it too'
(https://i.ibb.co/k5qdP82/24624-SHDavisriflefor-Chuck006.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zQPktRV)
(https://i.ibb.co/Qj5B5BW/DSCN4794.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7N9c9c3)
(https://i.ibb.co/BrRDQCn/DSCN7000-S-Davis-half.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Gtjw85H)
-
Stoner Creek, I SO want to come to that show this weekend, but alas, it's too long of a trip from NW Oklahoma. My wife was just yesterday showing me the show flyer on Facebook. What an opportunity to see that rifle up close and in person! Have a great time at the show.
TC
-
Curt Lyles, thanks for sharing your rifle with us, and for the other photos as well! I know other makers do fantastic work, but Davis's guns just draw me to them. Thanks for posting.
TC
-
Stoner Creek, I SO want to come to that show this weekend, but alas, it's too long of a trip from NW Oklahoma. My wife was just yesterday showing me the show flyer on Facebook. What an opportunity to see that rifle up close and in person! Have a great time at the show.
TC
It, along with 29 other fine rifles will be on my tables at CLA. Make plans!!
-
Stoner creeks display is a fantastic gun show All by itself. Great guns.
Bob
-
I have a friend that has a Steve Davis 50 cal gun (images below). He believes it was his first gun and we were hoping to help him contact Steve Davis directly or someone that may know more info on his guns. Our friend has Parkinson's and is trying to sell his gun collection. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
~Scott Pobjoy
Owner of Cash MFG
(https://i.ibb.co/7YrSHYt/20230714-154222-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bWN6xW5)
(https://i.ibb.co/ZMLhjFN/20230714-154233-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6Wn4MTN)
-
I just sent you a pm. Check your personal messages.
Thanks
W
-
https://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2011/04/steve-davis-rifle.html?m=1
This is the one I had. Steve made it for one of his squirrel camp buddies. They used to camp on the Duck River in Sumner County each October for a week of squirrel hunting. I took it to the Lake Cumberland Show and it was photographed.
-
My family bought the log cabin and some land from Steve back in '99 when he initially downsized. It was actually Hickman County, but just off the Duck River.
We were neighbors for about 10-12 years before he moved to Michigan. I got to see his shop and several of his rifles in that time, though he was always pretty busy and we never did get to shoot together. I was in early 20s and just getting into muzzleloading, so it was a real treat having someone like him to guide me along. Funny, he never really let on his actual standing in the community. I had no idea he worked under Herschel House, though the influence was clear once I knew what to look for. One of Steve's was the inspiration for a build I did a couple years ago, though no where near as refined.
I wish I had known more and been able take better use of the time I knew him. He was pretty staunch in his views of what made a good rifle, but he clearly knew his stuff. I might be able to get his contact info, as my Mom still communicates with Steve's wife every couple of years.
-
https://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/search?q=Steve+davis