Thank you everyone for your kind comments about my work, your comments are sinserly appreciated.
Building rifles like this has been a dream of mine for a long time. If you have been to my web site and read my bio about how I got started you know that my dad had a lot to do with my love of the early rifles and shooting black powder.
I recently lost my dad and it has been a tuff few weeks. I know that a lot of you guys have lost your dad and mom and understand my loss. I did not truely understand your loss until now. Now I understand and I am truely sorry and you have my prayers.
I have been interested in old guns as far back as I can remember and I always wanted to work with guns. Over the years I worked as hard as I could to become a good gun builder. Most of my spare time was dedicated to learning how to build a Longrifle. I attended the WKU classes sponsored by the NMLRA many times and I feel like what little success that I have had is due to the efforts of all the great teachers there. I will forever be greatful to this dedicated group. Thanks Dr. Terry.
I have been building full time since June of last year and it has been a wonderful time. I have been blessed with enough orders to keep busy and I appreciate each order.
I built 5 rifles since I retired that Dad got to see before he passed. I was hoping to get this rifle done so he could see it but he did not get to see it with his earthly eyes.
I place 3 crosses somewhere on each of my rifles. This is another lesson my Dad taught me, nothing is more important that our love for Christ. Dad was a great wittness for Christ and never failed to make sure that everyone he met had the chance to come to Christ. I am not the same man as my father but I wanted my work to reflect in some way my love for Christ and say thank you for the talant that I have, so I put the crosses on each of my guns. To me and I know to many the Cross is the greatest symbol of love, no man can have greater love than to lay down his life for another. Christ died that we may live.
Thanks for letting me share this morning.
Jim Parker