I can tell you that I would like to own a Bill Large barrel and it would be special to me just because of who he was. Perhaps it wouldn't shoot any better than a modern barrel, but he was one of the early pioneers responsible for what we now collectively share an interest in. Years back I came across a Hacker Martin rifle at a local gunshow. I remember studying it and thinking at the time that it was not overly well done, perhaps even a bit crude. After putting it down I found myself going back to the table at least a couple more times, something was clearly bringing me back. I remember that night reading the account of Hacker Martin in my well worn copy of Foxfire, the next morning, after a discussion with my wife about the finances, I went back to the show hoping to purchase it. Unfortunately somebody had already beat me to it. I have always regretted that.
There is no doubt we have advantages in this field that people like Bill Large and Hacker Martin never had available to them. Our suppliers like Jim Chambers, Jim Kibler, and many others provide products that are at least as good and more often better than anything that was available in the past with a far wider variety and better historical accuracy to boot. Knowledge is much more readily available than what they had access to in the past. That being said, it doesn't stop me from looking at those past craftsman with respect and gratitude for what they were able to start. For me the works of Bill Large, Hacker Martin, Bob Roller, and many others will always be special.
