A hand-crafted gun built by a team of America's foremost artisans will be raffled off during the Firearms Engravers & Gunmakers Exhibition on Jan. 24. ACGG Firearm Project #25 is patterned after turn-of-the-century British Rook Rifles. Tickets are $20 each. For details, visit www.ACGG.org.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) November 7, 2009 -- In what can only be described as a cross between a marathon and a relay race, a team of respected craftsmen from across the United States have invested multiple hundreds of hours over a period of more than two years to produce a priceless, one-of-a-kind rifle that the American Custom Gunmakers Guild is raffling off for $20 per ticket.
Details about the raffle and the Guild can be found at www.ACGG.org.
The Tip-Down Smallbore, a .22 side-hammer created entirely from bar stock, is known as ACGG Firearm Project #25. Planning for the project began in early 2006. The winning ticket will be announced at John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2010, the third day of the Firearms Engravers & Gunmakers Exhibition in Reno, Nevada.
"Tickets are limited to 4,000, and you don't have to be present to win," a spokesperson said.
According to organizers, the custom gun's theme is reminiscent of Rook Rifles built primarily between 1870 and 1930. Rook Rifles were the gentleman's choice for small game such as rabbits, foxes, crows and rooks, a bird common in the English countryside.
Project # 25 team members include metalsmith Jimmy Johnson of Missouri, stockmaker Craig Libhart of Pennsylvania, engraver Tim George of Virginia and casemaker Jim Wear of Wyoming. Final bluing was done by Chuck Grace of Colorado.
Johnson manufactured the American-styled petite "tip-down" completely from bar stock. The receiver and components were inspired by 19th-century masters American Frank Wesson and Brit Alexander Henry while the lock plate, hammer and components were based on the work of English lockmaker Joseph Brazier.
The next team member involved was Craig Libhart, 56, of Susquehanna Stockworks in Bainbridge, PA, who transformed a piece of Turkish Walnut into a lightweight turn-of-the-century rifle.
"I was pleased to be a part of the team that built the ACGG Project for our annual raffle," said Libhart, who spent more than 200 hours on the rifle.
Engraver Tim George of Lynchburg, VA, said he used the "hammer and chisel" technique to create what he deemed a hybrid scroll combining his style with that of Louis Daniel Nimschke, widely regarded as America's first world-class engraver. George then embellished the custom rifle's engraving with 24k gold borders.
The 48-year-old Virginia native said he began engraving full time in 1981 when he started his apprenticeship under Ken Hurst, a former Colt custom shop master. George said he divides his time between engraving firearms and custom knives.
While Johnson, Libhart, and George focused on the rifle, Jim Wear, 58, of Laramie, WY., concentrated on crafting a case worthy of the project.
The Wear' Harness Shop owner -- whose leatherworking experience includes everything from Harley-Davidson saddlebags to unique 6-horse hitches -- said he did research to come up with a case appropriate for the project's 19th-century theme.
Wear ended up casing the gun in oak and covering it with bark-tanned pigskin, checkered based on a period example. He also made the ebony beehive-handled turn-screws, cleaning rod, brush and Damascus Bowie knife and sheath.
For a chance to own ACGG Firearm Project #25, send $20 per ticket to American Custom Gunmakers Guild, 22 Vista View Lane, Cody, WY 82414.
There is no limit to the number of tickets each person can purchase, though all state and federal laws apply. For more information about the raffle as well as the exhibition where the custom firearm will be featured, visit www.ACGG.org or call (307) 587-4297.
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