WILLIAMSBURG SHOP RIFLES

[PINYONE]

As a student of American Longrifles I have always researched the old and admired the new. In the past 39 years of my interest I have seen a lot of makers work. I don't intend to insult anyone on here just my opinion. Ever since I went to the Gunshop at CWF I have always felt there was something extra special about the work that few others have have captured. Every rifle or Pistol that I have seen has the same vibe. They feel like real longrifles. I have been at many shows up North here and there and any time there was a CWF Rifle there it would draw a big line. My ole friend John Bivins told me that when he got into it he blazed the road every weekend to Wallace Guslers to see what he had done and learn what he could, Bivins looked at me over his glasses with his pipe and said" man it was amazing" that Wallace taught him how to carve and how to engrave. I would love to have been a fly on the wall at that time. Wallace Gusler defintely influenced all those that followed after him. The rifle he carved for Jim Wright  in his Video was the first rifle he carved in 20 years, still amazes me. Like he never missed a beat. I think that most who never went to the Old Shop will miss out, it was the best of the Best. Piyone

[Larry Luck]

The rifles in the CW Gunsmith Shop gave me my introduction to these guns.  I spent hours studying the leather-bound copy of Kindig's book in the shop. Since seeing other schools/styles since then, my appreciation for later guns has grown.  But the wide buttplates, early architecture and other details of those CW rifles from the 1970's defined what is a longrifle in my mind.
Larry Luck 

[GrampaJack]

You really hit a nerve for me on this one. We were married in 1969 and moved into a single apartment in Norfolk since I was a lowly E3 in the Navy. Needless to say we had no money. In 1970 we took a day trip to Williamsburg and she had to literally drag me away from the gunsmith. I have no idea but I assume I was probably watching Wallace do his thing. Strange twist of fate is that 20 years later it was Wallace’s video that got me started building long rifles. I really don’t remember how much a gun was if purchased there at that time but it might as well have been a million dollars cause “we had no money”.  I have wanted a Williamsburg gun ever since. I assume that they are hard to find and still far beyond my means. A question, are guns made at Williamsburg marked as such? I don’t get to shows much anymore but just in case it would be nice to know how one would identify a gun made there. P.S. in spite of “we had no money” it was still some of the best times of my life and after 40 years “she” is still there. Did I mention we had no money?  Best Regards, Jack

[PINYONE]

Hello Grampa Jack- seems now as usual no one has any money. Many are in the same situation, The Boys on Wall street have plenty. When I started building in 1970 I didn't know about Williamsburg Rifles. Then in 1972 a big Article came out in Guns & Ammo on Wallace and the Shop. Thats when I really got the bug, I was lucky to see an old Video about Lester Guslers Saw Mill where all the wood was cut. Just really neat., the old steam Tractor is now in the Smithsonian American History Museum, Few have seen the Video it, it is really neat. The rifles back then were signed W. Gusler WMSBRG VA and a date. These rifles are hard to find, and I don't believe that many rifles since then compare to that work.  I have thought for years that Gary Brumfield should do publication on the "Rifles of Williamsburg" there are so many wonderful rifles that were built there that all would love to see. Not to mention pistols, tomahawks and accoutrements. I am sure that would be snatched up quickly. I am lucky to have owned several early Shop Rifles and wouldn't trade them for anything else. I still have my wife at 40 years also. The Great Pinyone