Wallace Gusler and I grew up just west of Salem and were also great fans of Howard Site's shop there on Fudge St in Covington. We might have been there five years later than you and your Dad---early to mid-1960s. At the time we had no idea that he was a third or forth generation Virginia gunsmith decended from George Sites of Botetourt Co.. The great iron mounted rifle in the MESDA collection came out of one of Howard's parts barrels!
Gary
Gary, we may have been there at the same time on an occasion or two. IIRC, the last time I was in Mr. Sites' shop was 1972 and there were always interesting people there. Speaking of the parts barrel, I tried very hard to buy a Virginia Manufactory musket that he had but just could not save up the money. Original flint, dated 1815, the butt was missing but it was restorable. He offered it to me at a good price but I was in college at the time and money always had somewhere else to go....
Carper, there were Carpers in Alleghany County and Covington, any relation? (Sorry, I'm getting off topic...)
