Author Topic: Frank Bartlett rifle on blogspot  (Read 4110 times)

Offline rich pierce

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Frank Bartlett rifle on blogspot
« on: May 16, 2012, 05:10:41 PM »
It's a stunning new school rifle.
http://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2012/05/frank-bartlett-rifle.html
I didn't know of this guy but would love to see more.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Eric Smith

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Re: Frank Bartlett rifle on blogspot
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2012, 07:17:10 PM »
I agree with you Rich. The wire inlay is quite remarkable Nicely engraved as well.
Eric Smith

Offline Mike Gahagan

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Re: Frank Bartlett rifle on blogspot
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2012, 07:58:52 PM »
Frank was one heck of a nice guy and it is unfortunate that he is no longer with us.He never met a stranger and always had a funny story to tell.I believe that it was the last CLA show that he attended that Frank,Bob Harn and I was talking and blocking the aisle when someone walked and took a picture of us.I wish a thousand times that I had asked for them to send me a copy of it.It was like getting your picture taken with two celebrities and I didn`t realize it then that it would be the last time I would see him.

Offline bob in the woods

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Re: Frank Bartlett rifle on blogspot
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2012, 11:43:39 PM »
When I first heard of him 25 + years ago , he had a reputation for extremely fine work. I think it was through the NMLRA [ Muzzleblasts ]  I'm sad to hear that he is no longer with us, but his  work will certainly continue to please and inspire others for years to come. That is what craftsmanship is about !

Offline Don Getz

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Re: Frank Bartlett rifle on blogspot
« Reply #4 on: May 17, 2012, 01:14:02 AM »
Frank was a good friend over the years that I knew him, always enjoyed his phone calls, sold him a lot of barrels.   His
silver wire inlay was outstanding.   I heard that he used over a mile of silver wire in his lifetime.  Frank told me about
the time when he and his wife took a walk out thru the woods, looking for a big rock to use as a stepping stone onto
their front porch.  Agnes spied one and said to Frank, "over there is a good one".   Frank replied, "no, that's leverite"
Agnes replied, "never heard of that kind"?   Frank said, well "you're going to leave her right there"    He was an unforgettable character..........Don

Offline Bob Roller

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Re: Frank Bartlett rifle on blogspot
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2012, 02:35:04 AM »
Frank was certainly one of the top makers of our time. He once told me that he took Viagra and then Genko Biloba to help him remember why he took the Viagra to begin with. I made a couple of Hawken squirrel rifle locks and several on the L&R external parts of the small Manton,Ashmore and Durs Egg.
Liver cancer took him from us and I have some pictures of his wire inlay work that certainly inspire admiration for a superb craftsman.

Bob Roller

Offline EC121

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Re: Frank Bartlett rifle on blogspot
« Reply #6 on: May 19, 2012, 05:32:36 PM »
The silver bands on the furniture of Frank's rifles of that period came from silver he got in a trade for a rifle.  A fellow had several bars of silver he traded Frank for a rifle.  My Bartlett rifle has silver bands all over it.  He once engraved an Ohio style rifle for me that was built by a mutual friend.  Said it looked like it needed some decoration and took it home with him.  Later, I stopped by the his house and picked it up.  No charge.  He will be missed.
Brice Stultz