....No builder in his right mind is going to turn down a job because it doesn't exactly conform to what the builder considers the norm....
I respectfully disagree. There are builders out there that do just that.
There are builders who build keeping strictly in the the historic styles, I've seen them turn work away. There are builders who build strictly contemporary pieces and have no disire to build period longrifles, I'm sure they have their reasons. There are builders who play both sides. Who's in their "right mind"? I don't know.
For some it's about money and they'll take any work they can get. For some it's about integrity and staying true to their craft. Some are students of history. Some just love to put rasp to wood and will take any opportunity to do so.
We all pursue this for different reasons and it's up the individual which direction they choose to go. Every individual is motivated to do what they do for different reasons.
But all of that aside, and not speaking of this gun in particular as it wasn't posted here for a critique, there many here that are of the opinion that even the most decorative contemporary longrifle should still be judged against the originals when it comes to architecture. The best carving, engraving and inlays do not make up for architectural faults. Under all the applied decoration it is still a what it is, a longrifle.
I'm not judging the choices of others, just stating my observations. Enjoy, J.D.