Silver on the blog

[Mike Brooks]

We don't get to see enough of marks work. This is a really clean crisp representation of a New England fowler from one of his kits. There's nothing I don't like about it, top notch work through and through, not overdone, just tastefully decorated.

[Telgan]

Mark is selling kits now?? First i've heard about it.

[Mike Brooks]

Chambers handles the sales.

[rich pierce]

Beautiful work.  I wonder if at Dixon's, they might say, "Needs to see original work" because the carving around the tang is perceptibly high.

[Mike Brooks]

Beautiful work.  I wonder if at Dixon's, they might say, "Needs to see original work" because the carving around the tang is perceptibly high.

Yes, wouldn't that be something..... I used to not like Mark's work a couple decades ago...then he all of a sudden let his hair down one day and his work has been stunning ever since. I wonder if he discovered Grain Belt beer?

[Don Getz]

Mike......I assume it must be hot out your way, just  like it has been here for the past two days.   I assume this because
it appears the chicken dust is getting to you.   To those of you that think Mark's carving is "high", take a look at Wallace's
gun that he did for the movie "Gunmiths of Williamsburg".   Rich, this is about the only time I have ever heard this remark
about Mark's work.   His work is so impeccable, it is difficult to question it.    One other thing about the fowler that is shown on the blog, this gun was designed by Mark and Jim was given permission to copy it for a new kit (years ago), I
think Mark gets a royalty for his design work.   He also designed the early virginia kit that Jim sells...............Don

[Mike Brooks]

Mike......I assume it must be hot out your way, just  like it has been here for the past two days.   I assume this because
it appears the chicken dust is getting to you.

Yep, 94* here a couple days ago. Not even the chickens were moving fast enough to raise dust then.....

[Jim Chambers]

Don is almost correct about the kit.  Actually, Mark Silver made the patterns for the Virginia and the New England Fowler/Militia Musket kits and pattens for all the hardware for those kits. These two are actually his kits.  We produce and market the kits for him and send him a  payment for each kit sold at the end of each month.
And, contrary to all the negative things a lot of you guys have been saying about building from "kits", nice guns with correct architecture can be made by starting with a well designed and well made kit such as these two designed by Mark.  I agree that you will be limited to building the gun the kit designer had in mind when he made the kit.  But, if, for example, you want to build an early valley of Virginia rifle, what is wrong with starting with a kit that was well researched and well designed by one of the top professional builders to be that type of rifle.  Of course, not all kits are equal in quality and design.  But, to lump all kits into that often stated "it's easier to start from a blank than from a kit" is not fair to guys like Mark and me who have spend 40 plus years each studying and producing quality guns.
Sorry, but I just had to get this off my chest.  If you ever think you don't have enough frustration in you life and a whole truck load more, just start a rifle kit business.

[bdixon]

AMEN!!!!!

[smallpatch]

Jim,

You've got my vote Sir.  I've build at least a dozen of your "kits".  Lancaster, Haines, NE Fowler, Silver's Virginia, English Gentlemen's.....etc.

All of which make absolutely beautiful, architecturally perfect rifles, with a lot of the "grunt" work done.  The designs are impeccable.  Mistakes can be made, but with a little planning first, there is no reason why one can't get great results, every time.
I've heard others complain about the cost.  In gun kits, just like everything else, you get what you pay for.

Top of the line design, best components available, and customer service beyond all others.
If I need a kit, it will be a Chambers'.

Jim DID NOT pay me to say this.  Thanks for what you do Jim.

[rich pierce]

 To those of you that think Mark's carving is "high", take a look at Wallace's
gun that he did for the movie "Gunmiths of Williamsburg".   Rich, this is about the only time I have ever heard this remark about Mark's work.   His work is so impeccable, it is difficult to question it. 

Don, I love the gun and Mark's work, in general and in particular.  I can't think of a single example of his work that has not fascinated me and made me look it over again and again.  The carving on this one isn't too high by any means- but I have seen carving that high critiqued before, and don't agree that such a standard should be broadly applied.  Carving of this height or distinctness (and I think that's what I'm seeing; bold carving casts a shadow that makes it look taller) looks great to me.  Might not be viewed as "right" on some Lehighs, etc but looks great to me on this gun.

I'm certainly in no position to critique Mark's work!  That would be the ultimate in ridiculous, even for the internet.  

[Mike Brooks]

Sorry, but I just had to get this off my chest.  If you ever think you don't have enough frustration in you life and a whole truck load more, just start a rifle kit business.

I got some little pills from the Doc for that ...... I'm freakin' happy all the time now.

[Mike Brooks]

Beautiful work.  I wonder if at Dixon's, they might say, "Needs to see original work" because the carving around the tang is perceptibly high.

I've spent some time taking a close look at this gun and I just don't feel that  the carving is overly high. He's representing a new "fresh off the bench" look here with out wear. If this gun was represented to show alot of wear than it should be appropriately shorter in height and show much less detail. Also keep in mind that alot of the carving at the tang and comb is outlined with an incised line which really makes it jump up. This is probably where it gets the illusion of "too tall".
 You gotta admit , that carving is BOLD and well executed, and as an aside, dead on as far as period correct goes.

[rich pierce]

I hope folks understand that when I said "perceptibly high",  I didn't mean "overly high".  I've seen  bold relief carving dinged, is what I should not have said.

[Mike Brooks]

I hope folks understand that when I said "perceptibly high",  I didn't mean "overly high".  I've seen  bold relief carving dinged, is what I should not have said.

I wasn't giving you a hard time or disagreeing with you Rich, just expanding on the conversation.

[Don Getz]

Rich....I apologize for my comments, they were kind of ill-chosen.   When you look at Mark's work, what you see is what
you get.   When you see one of his guns on someone elses table, you don't have to look for a name on the barrel to know
who made it.    At one of the first CLA shows, the late Don Vaughn had a Jager on his table that Mark made, and I could
have bought it for $4000......I really screwed up.   Then several years ago Mark was trying to move an English sporting rifle that he made, for Mike Rausch (spelling?), but was just a little more than I wanted to spend.  What a beautiful gun,
super english walnut, engraved, just outstanding.   I've always been a big fan of Mark's, just does outstanding work.
Those years of working with John Bivins sure didn't hurt him.............Don

[Mark Elliott]

Let me say that I can find no faults worth mentioning in Mark Silvers work.   He has developed a specific approach to his work and isn't afraid to take artistic risks.    I admire that.   

With regard to the comments about carving height,  I would like to point out that that varies by region.   The carving on some original Virginia rifles is much higher and bolder than on your typical Pennsylvania rifles.   You can also see a good bit of artistic creativity in the south that you don't see in the north.

Mark E.