ALR Member Ribbons at Kempton

[TommyG]

Our ALR members did very well at Kempton today in the gun judging.  There were close to 40 guns entered, many of which were outstanding, across all classes of builders.  Many thanks to all who attended and supported the new venue, I'm already looking forward to next year's fair.  If I missed anyone here, I apologize, and please, add yourself below.  Hopefully our ribbon winners will add comments as well.

Dave Person(Smart Dog) - Best in Show, Best in Class - Masters Traditional, plus several other ribbons for engraving, carving and patchbox.



Tom Groller (TommyG) - Best in Class - Masters Contemporary - ribbons for carving and patchbox. 



Brett Davis (Bonnie 54) - Best in Class - Apprentice Contemporary - ribbons for carving, craftsmanship, conformation



Josh Tabor - Dave Person's protege who is blind - Apprentice class ribbons for carving, craftsmanship, conformation (gun on left)
Avery Davis - Brett's daughter - First Gun Class - Judges Choice ribbon (gun on right)

[ed lundquist]

Excellent and congratulations!

[rich pierce]

Outstanding!

[smylee grouch]

Boy, lots of super fine hardware there. Congrats to all the winners and thanks for posting the pics and results.

[BOB HILL]

Congratulations to all the winners. Beautiful work.
Bob

[acorn20]

Some fine looking work there.  Congrats to the participants.

[Mike Brooks]

Can't figure out what is what. I see all ribbons and no guns.

[smart dog]

Well Mike,
It's like T ball, everyone goes home a winner for participation and nobody's feelings are hurt.  I jest. Actually there were about 40 guns entered this year, which is up a bit from the previous few years but not near the hey days of the event when almost 100 would be entered. There were many really fine guns there and Tommy's Isaac Berlin rifle would be a stand out no matter where it was displayed.  My joy was that the judges let me enter Josh's rifle.  I clearly described in writing what Josh did and what I did (the things he was not physically capable of).  It earned 2 third place and one 2nd place ribbon in the apprentice category, all of which were well deserved and appropriate relative to other guns in that class. Plus, Josh has a critique sheet of opinions independent of mine, that will help him build his next gun when he gets the chance.  He also entered a horn, which did not win any ribbons but impressed some of the judges and again the critique sheet will be useful to him.  I hope more ALR folks will enter guns in the future.  Below are a few photos of my guns and Josh's that won ribbons.  I hope Tommy will post his Berlin rifle so you can judge for yourself.

 

[Tim Crosby]

 I would not want to have to judge. TC

[alacran]

Congratulations to all the winners and all who submitted an entry. Great Job Smart Dog!

[Bob Gerard]

The display of sheer talent and masterwork must be mind-boggling! I think it would be almost overwhelming to try to take in all of the delicate beauty in each creation there. I know that for me, I often feel exhausted after several hours in a museum; how much more so it would be here. But a happy, very energizing exhaustion it would be.
Very well deserved recognition and congratulations to all you folks.
The tradition remains strong with you 

[Keith Zimmerman]

Congrats guys!!  Thats awesome!

[mountainman]

Congratulations to all the winners!!! Great job Smartdog!! A very beautiful gun!!

[mountainman]

Were there any journeyman that entered? It seems the origion of this post missed this part?

[TommyG]

Yes, there were maybe 9-10 Journeymen guns entered, I just don't know of any entered by ALR members.  If we missed someone, please add to the thread. 
Guys are absolutely correct about the conundrum facing the judges.  Usually you would see awards on the guns around 10 am or so, this past weekend they started the awards ceremony for the accoutrements and the gun judges appeared to be still deciding amongst one another.  A tough job indeed with so many nice guns entered.   

[guido]

Nice job!

[Bonnie54]

Congratulations to Smart Dog and Tommy G. Truly blessed to be in such talented company. 

[TommyG]

Just an FYI for all looking.  The guns pictured above if I'm not mistaken, Brett can chime in and give me a slap if I'm wrong, would be an original Fordney on top?  and Brett's Fordney entry which won the apprentice BIC ribbons on the bottom.  You have a future my friend and do some outstanding work. Looking forward to what comes next. 

[mountainman]

Congratulations Brett!! For winning a Best in Class, that's very beautiful work, and the details on the trigger guard is very outstanding!! Great job on the carvings as well! Great gun!!

[Bonnie54]

That is correct Tommy G. The original is on top. No slaps neccesary.  I actually didn't have the opportunity to see the original until my work was complete. I used Grinslades book exclusively. My wife and I had the opportunity to go to the fall frolic in Indiana where we saw the original on display. Mr. Burt Hammrick allowed me to take pictures with both of them next to each other to see if I was close.  The original just so happened to be at this show and for the second time they have been photographed together. It just gives me goose bumps. Here is the pic from the Fall Frolic

[duca]

Bonnie that’s Awesome!!

[Mike Brooks]

Outstanding Fordney fowling gun. It's on my list of future things to make.

[Tom Currie]

Dave , Congrats on your Best of Show ribbon, congrats to all others also. 

[Majorjoel]

All are indeed eye candy deluxe!!  Congrats to all and thanks for showing!

[scottmc]

Congratulations to Brett since he's  a club member of mine😁
And an extra special congrats to Dave.  Your work has always blown me away.  I didn't get a chance to talk with you but saw you at a distance a couple days.

And then congrats to all our members who entered guns.  I was pleasantly surprised at the increase number of entries.