preview. jaeger rifle to come

[eddillon]

I am sure that Nicholas Boutet and the Kuchenreuters would be in awe.

[Chris Treichel]

Amazing work. Its this type of work that makes me want to learn more and more. In 1999 I traveled to Vienna and got to see some amazing works as well in the Imperial collection including the Meister der Tierkopfranke. All I can say is it amazes me when someone can take materials and make them flow so beautifully. Ford Hallam talks about it as using the iron brush.

[WadePatton]

FB is "Facebook" on the internet*.  and i sent you an email--now a PM (my email died).

Thanks for the further discussion.  Stunning work absolutely.



*but also "FB" is an unofficial morse code (CW) abbreviation for "Fine Business"  this is (DE) W1ADE

[Old Ford2]

Thanks Wade,
From internet savvy   ID 10 T
Us old geezers need all the help we can get.
Truly awesome work.
I wait for the finished rifle.
Fred

[Dphariss]

Lord have mercy!!!

I have been looking for words for two days then I found your post. I agree.

Dan

[Darrin McDonal]

Oh my I just spit coffee all over my monitor at first glance at these photos!!! You blew me away Jerry,  and my monitor. Please Jerry please would you do even a small step by step tutorial on how you do this? Better yet a video / DVD series !! Really!!
Darrin

[jerrywh]

 Darrin.
   Nobody could tell you exactly how to do this in a tutorial. It is an accumulation of 50 year of experience. The main thing is to learn to engrave but there is a lot of other things involved. There are different types of engraving. This example is a combo of gold inlay with shading and chisel work. You would need to know how to alloy gold also. You cannot buy these type of alloys. Heat bluing a long barrel is a trick in itself. 
  In the 18th Century an engraver that would do this probably started out when he was about 7 years old and had to be a goldsmith also. To reach this level he would probably be 50 years old. A determined person can learn to do this in a few years. I have only been engraving for about 15 years. Any person with average dexterity and  good eye sight con learn to do. this and more . Talent is not born in a person it is learned. Determination and patience is the born in traits if there is any. Besides that there are times when prayer helps. People need to get over the fear that they cannot do something. No use trying this if you smoke pot or drink too much.

[David Rase]

Talent is not born in a person it is learned. 

Jerry,
You are correct about the talent.  I am reading a book called the Talent Code by Daniel Coyle.  In the book he reveals that myelin, once considered an inert form of insulation for brain cells, may be the holy grail of acquiring skill.  The author spent years investigating talent hotbeds, interviewing world-class practitioners (top soccer players, violinists, fighters, pilots, artists, and bank robbers) and neuroscientists. In the book he gives you a strategy for skill acquisition through what he calls "deep practice."
And oh by the way, what an outstanding piece of workman ship.  I look forward to seeing the completed project.  I appreciate the pictures even though I am sure they do not do your work justice.
David

[Jim Kibler]

Jerry,

That is exquisite work.  I'm sure an extraordinary amount of time and effort went into just this part.  Not all the designs are exactly my preference, but it doesn't take anything away from how great this is.  Like everyone else, I'll be eager to see the entire finished product.  Fantastic work and quite an accomplishment!

Jim

[smart dog]

Hi Jerry and Dave R,
One of my formally trained artist friends always says his teachers insisted students learn craft first and then the art will come.  That is why so many budding painters copy works of the masters.  As I've written before, it would be true $#*! to have the soul of an artist but not the means to express it.

dave

[Hawken62_flint]

That is truly "stinking" amazing---my Jaeger looks like a club compared to this.  What a tremendous piece of art !!!  Wish I could be in Vegas to see it !!!

[KLMoors]

Holy Toledo!

Amazing work that makes my head spin when I think of the man hours it would take to  learn those skills, and then execute them so beautifully.

[jamesthomas]

 Outstanding!, just really amazing work! When are you going to take her out shootin'! .

[eddillon]

This will be my first stop at the Beinfeld show in January.  I think everything else will pale in comparison

[Ed Wenger]

WOW!  I'll echo what others have said because I'm speechless.  Incredible work, Jerry, and thanks very much for posting the photos!



      Ed

[WadePatton]

Talent is not born in a person it is learned.  

Jerry,
You are correct about the talent.  I am reading a book called the Talent Code by Daniel Coyle.  ...

talent for me involves FOCUS (i'm ADHD afflicted)

and some things simply come more naturally, that's the nature of our genetic design expression differences.  If i have focus then i can pursue the practice to the level that leads to "much better" en route to "#@!! $#@* how did you do that".  If i cannot muster the focus/interest then no matter how many hours I try to pursue anything, it won't go anywhere.  This is how ADHD'ers score "genius" on IQ tests but tend to get inconsistent grades for course work.  Testing brings intensity and focus, just like interest.  Fulfilling course requirements...can be rather meh.  So discount "talent" by any scientific examination, but that I find myself drawn and interest held in some areas more than others.  I can play a guitar, and fool the non-players, but it's way too much work to get to the "talented" level there...hence i'm skilled in that area, not talented.  For me "talent" is that inherent undying desire which allows hyperfocus into a particular endeavor.  From the focus, then the skill gets developed, if nurtured.

took me 30 years to get/understand/accept that most other peoples' brains don't work like mine.  

[/end sidestep]  (we can take this line of thought OTBF if anyone cares to)

[tim crowe]

Jerry,
The barrel is impressive work, for my taste your 32 bore double barrel french fowler you made; is the BEST hands down.

[whitebear]

Everyone just took a step or two down the ladder compared to your beautiful work.

[Vomitus]

  Mind blowing...for lack of words! Whoa!