Shippers rifle on the blog

[elk killer]

simply AMAZING..!!!!!!!

[Ben I. Voss]

I have to say, that is a fabulous rifle! A real work of contemporary art. I hate to criticize anything about it, but I have to: those totally stock Davis set triggers- AARRRRG! They are so easily modified into something graceful and original- I don't understand it. Look at Bill Shipman's new VA rifle under gunbuilding - those are the same triggers modified. Sorry to rant!  but those triggers just stand out to me as unfinished. (but it's still a wonderful rifle!!)

[Mike Brooks]

As Don Getz calls him, " The greatest unknown maker in existance". He's an incredible craftsman, I don't believe there is anything he can't do. He's a great teacher, he's helped me out alot over the years, very happy to share information. Helluva dobro picker too!
You guys ought to see the banjo he made!

[Don Getz]

Holy cow, a super gun.   No wonder he has a bad back, must have taken him at least three years to do that one.  I have
two guns engraved by him, one is a kentucky and is actually engraved too good for this type of gun.   The Scales boy have
a bunch of guns engraved by John, all are real knock out's.  I talked to John at the CLA show, a good friend.    And, as Mike Brooks said, I always considered him to be the best unknown engraver in the country...........Don

[Mike Gahagan]

For all of those that have wanted to know what a fantasy gun is,there you go.Has everything that a person could wish for and more.Great work.

[smylee grouch]

Mr. Shippers engraving is as Don says, of the very best. It looks as though he make alot of cuts the same way Jacob Kuntz did and I say that in a favorable way as Mr. Kuntz was of the very best in his day. The workmanship throughout Mr. Shippers rifle is also of the very best. Words just dont do justice for craftsmen like this and we are very lucky to have so many on this fourm with that kind of talent.   Smylee

[mjm46@bellsouth.net]

WOW! May be the most decorated rifle I have ever seen, very stunning indeed. If you blow up the images and look at them you'll find tiny little engraved details everywhere.

[ptk1126]

John is a marvelous artisan and one of the most interesting guys I  have met.
It is a shame he has encountered so much difficulty in having his masterwork
on engraving published.

At the CLA he told me that he has another possible publisher in the works. He
said he could publish it himself but he didn't plan on spending his retirement years
shipping out books one at a time 

All the best
Paul

[LehighBrad]

Whew!!! That's rifle has got more "bling" than Mr. T!!!!!

[Birdhunter]

I had the fortune of being able to go to his class at Conner Prairie 3 yrs. ago & it was worth every penny. If any have the chance to go you should do it. Classes are usually in Oct.
Curt

[Jim Chambers]

A great rifle indeed.  Just shows you what can be done starting with one of our Early Lancaster kits.  Barbie will gladly supply you with the kit, and, with a lot of skill and imagination, you too can make a rifle like this.  John is a gifted artist and has produced many great rifles over the years.  This has to be one of the best ones he's made.

[mbokie5]

So how does one view this beauty?

[art riser]

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