Gun building CLA Show 2017 - Photos

[Marcruger]

Hi Folks,

I attended my first CLA show this weekend.  I took a few photos of things that impressed me.  For me, it is usually the PERSON not the item.  It was super to see friends, browse the aisles, look at incredible work, and make my feet sore (the latter not so great).   I make no claims on being complete, I just snapped people and things that caught my eye.  I hope others will tag many more photos onto this posting.


The Lexington Convention Center last evening.  Where the show is held.  Beautiful by night. 





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Mark Silver explaining how he creates magic.  :-)  I sure enjoyed the visit Mark.  Love that Vogler. 




Lovely work by Mark.  The European short rifle in the back and the George Vogler (Salem, NC style) in front are both breathtaking.  The Vogler prototype is on the back of the Bill Ivey book cover. 



Our very own Ed Wenger displaying the intricate carving and engraving he is well known for. 




Ed Wenger's table.....




Some ridiculously beautiful curl on a rifle at the show. I am sorry I failed to catch the maker's name. 
Moderators Note: This rifle was built by William Slusser for his wife.




Delightful historian, master craftsman, super rifle builder and great friend Bob Hill.  To my dismay I realized I failed to get a photo of Bob at the CLA show, so this one from the NC State Fair will have to suffice.  Bob does a gun building display at the fair each year in the Village of Yesteryear.

[Marcruger]

Pistols from the President's Display this year.  Some unbelievable work from this year and years past.  Check out the Brennan pistols! 










A close up of the Mark Silver European rifle. 




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Did anyone say silver wire? 



Last, but by no means least, Jim Parker of Calvary Longrifles (Alabama).  I was blessed to get to meet Jim after hearing so much about him.  He turns out to be a total GENTLEMAN, and very humble. He spent quite a bit of time with me explaining many things.  Meeting Jim was a highlight of a wonderful show for me.  Oh yes, Jim can certainly build an eye-popping rifle.  :-) 

[Rolf]

Thank you for posting the Pictures. I really enjoyed them. There were some really beautiful Works of art. Do you have anymore Pictures of the cased pistols?

Best regards
Rolf

[ghost]

Thanks for posting! A lot of excellent work!

[Treebeard]

Thanks for the pictures as I was not able to make the show this year.

[PPatch]

So many super talented craftsmen. Awe inspiring. Thank you for th photographic tour Marcruger.

dave

[Marcruger]

I looked Rolf, but do not have any more of the cased pistols.  I do not know why I missed photographing those.  Check under the Contemporary section for KY-Flinter's wonderful photo narrative.  I think he caught a few.  Best wishes, and God Bless,   Marc

[jerrywh]

 the gun makers keep getting better and better every year.  All the ones you show ar super good. 20 years ago there were very few as good as them. There is no body better in the world to day at wire work tha n/Mark silver in my opinion.  The wire work on his gun is so complex it seems near impossible. To put wire that close together without the wood coming out is a real trick.  He could show me a few trick for sure. Ed Wagner is super also.
  One of my older guns is at that show. It should be at Jim Chambers display.

[Joe S.]

That wire is something,perfection.After seeing work like that and from the others/as well as some of the folks here on the ALR site I'm almost embarrassed by my build.Some real talent out there

[wattlebuster]

Good pics. Thanks for posting

[Candle Snuffer]

Those are some beautiful firearms for sure! 

[Marcruger]

Hi Jerry,  I agree about Mark Silver and Ed Wenger with their wire work.  Ed has taken some classes from Mark.

Mark was sharing with me that the key to that wire work is cut and install one piece at a time, so the first wire piece reinforces the wood for the second cut.  Some of the remaining wood between the wires was unfathomably tiny. 

Ed had some lovely wire work on display as well in his European style guns. 

They are setting quite a high bar these days. 

Best wishes, and God Bless,  Marc

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... Thanx for the pix, Marc .... was good to meet you and so many others from this group at the show... I believe we all can agree what a great time we all had ... !!! ... so  much to see,... so much talking to do ... I didn't over-spend...kinda glad that Cody Yoho didn't price his excellent Woodbury rifle to me ...!! ...did get that HH triggerguard from Mike ... now to get HH to build a rifle around it ...(wish me luck) ...All in all a really great week-end ... will be back ... !!!

[Marcruger]

Our Brother from Cades Cove,

It was great seeing you at the show.  I am envious of your beard!   :-)  Best wishes, and God Bless,   Marc

[Ed Wenger]

Jerry...., I saw the gun you mentioned.  It was beautiful!  The gold inlay signature was one of the best I've ever seen, superb.


          Ed

[Daryl]

Thanks Mark- Those pictures are REALLY Special!

[deepcreekdale]

Awesome show, second your comment about the sore feet though. Lots of walking and too much to see. I felt like a blind dog in a meat house with all the neat stuff. Even got to see a few rifles I have built over the years on display by other folks, that made my trip. By the way, Mark Silver is teaching a class on wire inlay and metal forming next year at the Gunsmithing Seminar in Bowling Green. Anyone who has ever taken one of his classes knows what a great and patient teacher he is. For those that want to learn from the best, I would start saving pennies now, Terry Leeper said you can start reserving spots in the classes now. Best investment you will ever make to improve your gunmaking skills and a lot of fun as well.

[oldtravler61]

 There's quite the story on the H.H. trigger guard.
 When we we're at the ALR food court meeting Frank House walked by so I showed it to him for verification. He said yep that's Herchels handy work."He stamps everything" But being extra careful Cades an I saw Herchel so Cades an I showed it to him.
  Herchel asked if I thought about selling it. Should be on one of his rifles
  Gave them a price. Never saw a fidler move so fast for his wallet.
  Ya all would of thought he was playing " Devil went down to Georgia" With Charlie Danials.
  Cades is a great guy.  Real happy it's staying in the south.
  Hope he an Herchel can figure something out. Besides I have one more. But I'm keeping that one... Oldtravler

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... Didn't think you noticed, Mike ... !!! (HaHaHa) .... you probably could have gotten Hershel & me into a bidding war ... !!!.. thanx again.... will let you know what she goes on ... !!!

[oldtravler61]

  Cades would appreciate that. The non House guard is going on a Soddy by guess who? Stay in touch my friend... Oldtravler

[mountainman70]

Was definatly good to meet all y'all. The triggerguards were awesome. If I thought I could still grow my beard like Fiddlers' I would. Then I would have to put some red in it,like it once was. I had a Devil Anse length beard back in 70's that was a real crum catcher !!! Had too much fun with it.

Glad the guard is stayin south also. Best regards, Dave F