Author Topic: Lifetime Production Leaders (Read 2871 times)

Top Jaw · « **on:** August 25, 2024, 03:41:03 PM »

On other sites and prior threads, I can recall some listed gun production numbers that were quite impressive from some vintage gun builders. I seem to remember (maybe R Southgate, C Kemper, and probably others) with some big lifetime numbers, but don’t remember what they were. Who were/are some of the leaders and numbers for lifetime gun building production that you have heard of?

smallpatch · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2024, 05:24:08 PM »

Mike Brooks should be on the list for sure. Seems like he’s well over 300.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2024, 06:43:37 PM »

Mike is closer to 400 than 300 or so I read somewhere. Jud Brennan is over 180 Chuck Edwards is over 200 Don Bruton is way up there so many that he probably dont know for sure. Ken Netting if I read right was around 600 but dont hold me to that as my recollect dont recollect so sharp anymore

Stoner creek · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2024, 07:18:21 PM »

Jack Garners shop has cranked out hundreds.

Joey R · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2024, 08:23:40 PM »

Maybe Marvin Kemper will chime in about his Dads “production” numbers?

T*O*F · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2024, 08:43:34 PM »

Quote

Jack Garners shop has cranked out hundreds.

As have Jackie Brown and Matt Avance, both while working for him and independently.

Bob Gerard · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2024, 09:50:49 PM »

Quality, not quantity.

rich pierce · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2024, 11:45:39 PM »

A lot of builders with high production numbers are top shelf. All that repetition leads to increased excellence.

Daniel Coats · « **Reply #8 on:** August 26, 2024, 01:24:45 AM »

Quote from: Bob Gerard on August 25, 2024, 09:50:49 PM

Quality, not quantity.

Quam Bene Non Quantum

Huh Bob

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #9 on:** August 26, 2024, 05:30:47 AM »

H. House once told me he figured he had made over 1000.
Jim Klein told me he had made over a 1000 as well. I'm just a little dog when it comes to big numbers.

bpd303 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 26, 2024, 06:54:05 AM »

I would think the Caywood's both Charlie and Danny would qualify, although I have no numbers to quote. Caywood Gunmakers have been in business for a long time.

bpd303 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 26, 2024, 06:57:30 AM »

Quote from: smallpatch on August 25, 2024, 05:24:08 PM

Mike Brooks should be on the list for sure. Seems like he’s well over 300.

I would have to agree with this...

Top Jaw · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2024, 12:31:56 PM »

My buddy just sent me a text that there was an old Muzzle Blast cover with 3 Cornel Kemper rifles pictured. They were #1000, #2000, & #3000 !!!

Rmefbowhunter · « **Reply #13 on:** August 27, 2024, 02:12:28 AM »

I just received my 3rd Don Bruton rifle last week, a left hand maple stocked 54 cal flinter with a Bobby Hoyt coned barrel that Don said was #652. He has been building rifles and Fowlers for six decades now and still hard at it. But, as he says, he just builds what he wants to these days.

Bob Roller · « **Reply #14 on:** August 27, 2024, 04:35:51 PM »

Does Kibler count in this survey? My own production is MAYBE 10 but I remember the last two and the very first one.Both first and last were 58 caliber and the last one was a flintlock.My shop really is not set up for wood working and now it seems to be closed until further notice.
Last week my wife fell going into the laundry room and if it were not for two carpenters remaking a house across the street I would have called the Fire Department so leaving her alone so I can go to the Friendship Shoot can't happen.She leaves her pocket phone in the front room most of the time.
Bob Roller

bama · « **Reply #15 on:** August 29, 2024, 07:24:30 PM »

Jack Garner's shop has probably turn out 1000's of rifles over the years. I have built somewhere around 200 which is not much compared to many others, but they have all been a labor of love. Hopefully I get to build a few more before going to the Big Shop in the sky.

mossyhorn · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2024, 01:05:59 AM »

John Bergmann of Tn. built his #777 for me Which is a wonderfully petite Tennessee Rife in 38 Cal. That is light and fits me perfectly. This was in the spring.

Austin · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2024, 04:27:29 AM »

I think i got Brooks number 385….

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2024, 04:34:08 PM »

Quote from: Austin on August 30, 2024, 04:27:29 AM

I think i got Brooks number 385….

386 has been sitting in the corner for a year needing a couple coats of finish and the barrel browned. Can't seem to find the time to do it.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 01, 2024, 07:20:23 PM »

Maybe we should clarify between individual gun makers an those that don't have a production shop ? There's a big difference in doing them by hand.
Especially when you use a machine like a stock duplicator or CNC.
I understand the technical difficulty programming a CNC machine to make the stock. So lets not go their. Besides a CNC can make a completed stock in less than an hour give or take. Especially with a multi tool head.
So in my opinion. Which doesn't count. That's the big difference...

T*O*F · « **Reply #20 on:** September 02, 2024, 12:18:25 AM »

Quote

Besides a CNC can make a completed stock in less than an hour give or take.

So could Jack Garner and others of the Corinth School of gunbuilding. It's probably a little known fact that Jack worked for DGW way back making their precarves and continued upon leaving them as Jack's Stock Shop before segueing into TVM.

Eric Krewson · « **Reply #21 on:** September 02, 2024, 05:30:34 PM »

I don't know about Tip Curtis, he made a lot of guns over the years, probably less than Matt Advance or Jack Garner.

wattlebuster · « **Reply #22 on:** September 03, 2024, 01:17:37 AM »

Does anybody know how many Hershal House made during his production yrs. I dont remember ever reading it anywhere

CLPace · « **Reply #23 on:** September 03, 2024, 05:23:06 AM »

Visited with Neill Fields of Vernal, Utah about how many ML's he has built #442 on the bench.
He was with Green River Rifle works for awhile.

Did all inletting and stock work by hand. Not pre- carved stocks.

Carney

Carper · « **Reply #24 on:** September 03, 2024, 07:52:58 AM »

Hershel told me he thought he had made about 275 rifles , that was in 2021. He said he mostly rifled the barrels until his shop burned .

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Author Topic: Lifetime Production Leaders (Read 2871 times)