Author Topic: Steve Davis  (Read 6548 times)

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Steve Davis
« on: January 24, 2023, 08:34:55 PM »
Does anyone know what ever happened to Steve Davis? I have been an admirer of his work since the late '70s. The only one of his guns I've ever gotten my hands on was about 5 years ago at the Tulsa gun show, and I saw it there two years in a row. The gentleman wanted 4 grand for it if I remember correctly, and there just wasn't any way I could afford it. I still dream about that rifle! I kick myself for not taking some pictures of it!
Any info on him would be greatly appreciated.
TC

Offline Sequatchie Rifle

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 978
  • F. & A.M. Helion #1; 3rd SFG(ABN)
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2023, 02:43:51 PM »
Steve is still around. He packed up and left Middle Tennessee. Relocated on the upper Michigan Peninsula. He is still working.

Mel Hankla was selling Steve’s personal rifle that is signed my Hershel House but made by both Steve and Hershel during Steve’s apprenticeship.

« Last Edit: January 25, 2023, 02:47:04 PM by Sequatchie Rifle »
"We fight not for glory, nor riches nor honors, but for freedom alone, which no good man gives up except with his life.” Declaration of Arbroath, 1320

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2023, 05:39:24 PM »
Thanks so much for letting me know. I'm just happy that he's still alive and turning out his marvelous work. Maybe someday I will get to handle one of his guns again!
TC

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19572
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #3 on: January 25, 2023, 06:33:24 PM »
He was great early on. I’ve always admired his work.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Dennis Glazener

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19487
    • GillespieRifles
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #4 on: January 25, 2023, 08:47:07 PM »
Having had the pleasure of handling one of his rifles I agree that he did outstanding work.
Dennis
"I never considered a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend" - Thomas Jefferson

Offline Top Jaw

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 577
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #5 on: January 25, 2023, 11:55:15 PM »
There is a short bio on him in in The Book of Buckskinning III, which shows front and back views of three of his rifles. 

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2023, 07:11:49 AM »
Yes, that was what first introduced me to his work, way back when BOB III first came out. Seen bits and pieces throughout the years and finally got to examine his work first hand.

Offline Maalsral

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 188
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2023, 06:04:46 PM »
I own one of Steve’s rifles.
Mark Thomas

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #8 on: January 30, 2023, 01:00:09 AM »
Maasral, I would love to see some photos if possible.
TC

Offline Maalsral

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 188
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2023, 08:51:26 PM »
Here are some pictures of the Steve Davis rifle that I have.



cover photos for facebook rain












Mark Thomas

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13415
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2023, 09:08:34 PM »
That's a beauty. When do you suppose he made it?
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Maalsral

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 188
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2023, 09:52:05 PM »
Steve told me he built that gun in 1988.
Mark Thomas

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2023, 09:57:27 PM »
Maasral, thanks for sharing the photos! Fantastic rifle. You are blessed to have it.
TC

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75

Offline David G

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 116
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #14 on: January 31, 2023, 09:41:48 PM »
Love that toe plate box… just a nice gun all the way around ! Thanks for sharing.

Offline Mike Brooks

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 13415
    • Mike Brooks Gunmaker
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #15 on: February 01, 2023, 12:33:15 AM »
Earliest toe box I have seen.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline elkhorne

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 529
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #16 on: February 05, 2023, 03:10:14 AM »
Turkey creek,
For more of Steve’s amazing work, look on the contemporarymakers.blogspot.com. There are several nice Steve Davis pieces on there. Good luck!
elkhorne

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2023, 07:24:52 PM »
Thanks Elkhorn!

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2023, 07:28:13 PM »
Earliest toe box I have seen.
Yes Mike, the toe box is another very interesting aspect of this piece and serves to highlight Steve's incredible talent.
TC

Offline Stoner creek

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2919
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #19 on: February 07, 2023, 03:51:41 AM »
Steve is still around. He packed up and left Middle Tennessee. Relocated on the upper Michigan Peninsula. He is still working.

Mel Hankla was selling Steve’s personal rifle that is signed my Hershel House but made by both Steve and Hershel during Steve’s apprenticeship.


 This gun will be available for y’all to see this weekend at the lake Cumberland show!
Stop Marxism in America

Offline Matt Evans

  • Starting Member
  • *
  • Posts: 29
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #20 on: February 07, 2023, 06:29:15 AM »
Here are some pictures of the Steve Davis rifle that I have.



cover photos for facebook rain













I like everything about that rifle, I hope to be lucky enough own such a fine rifle some day. Thanks for taking the time to share it with us.
« Last Edit: February 07, 2023, 06:57:57 AM by Matt Evans »

Offline Curt Lyles

  • Curt’s Blacksmith Shop
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 424
    • Curt's Blacksmith Shop
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #21 on: February 07, 2023, 06:33:12 AM »
Here's one I bought quite a few years ago.  I took 30 years to find it.














These next three rifles are not mine:   Ihate to admit it but this is no long mine .Still kicking my self for selling it too'






« Last Edit: March 04, 2023, 02:03:01 PM by Curt Lyles »

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #22 on: February 07, 2023, 07:58:28 PM »
Stoner Creek, I SO want to come to that show this weekend, but alas, it's too long of a trip from NW Oklahoma. My wife was just yesterday showing me the show flyer on Facebook. What an opportunity to see that rifle up close and in person! Have a great time at the show.
TC

Offline Turkeycreek

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 75
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #23 on: February 07, 2023, 08:07:21 PM »
Curt Lyles, thanks for sharing your rifle with us, and for the other photos as well! I know other makers do fantastic work, but Davis's guns just draw me to them. Thanks for posting.
TC

Offline Stoner creek

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2919
Re: Steve Davis
« Reply #24 on: February 07, 2023, 08:08:00 PM »
Stoner Creek, I SO want to come to that show this weekend, but alas, it's too long of a trip from NW Oklahoma. My wife was just yesterday showing me the show flyer on Facebook. What an opportunity to see that rifle up close and in person! Have a great time at the show.
TC
It, along with 29 other fine rifles will be on my tables at CLA. Make plans!!
Stop Marxism in America