One Millionth

[Rich Hambrook]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
If you remember, a few months ago I posted a thread asking questions on how to selective gray. I have been working on a special project at work that is going to be revealed at the Las Vegas Shot Show for Browning. I was selected to design and engrave the One Millionth Citori. It was an extreme honor to do but I had to seek out special help from individuals to help me a long the way. Some of those individuals were you guys and gals here on the Lindsay Forum and I owe you a big THANK YOU. I also want to thank Steve Lindsay himself for the inspiration he has given me with the tools and support. I designed the gun with similar scroll used on Lindsay's advertisement because of the the inspiration he and his tools have given me. I can not take all the credit for the work on the gun. Because of the time given (two months) I had to have help completing the project. My close friend and fellow Browning engraver, Ron Reimer, was that person. Ron did the checkering and carving of the wood and he also engraved the forearm metal and top lever. Ron has also been a enormous inspiration to me. He is always challenging me not only with words but with his outstanding engraving skills. There is only one thing wrong with him.......he doesn't own a Palm Control. But I guess everyone has to have there faults! I will cut him some slack because his last words after using my Palm Control were "Man is thing is awesome! I really need to get one." Thank you to everyone involved. I hope to have some pictures of the process a long the way when I get back from the Shot Show. Until then here are a few quick shots of the finished product.
Rich Hambrook

[Ray Cover]

Wow!

Looks great Rich.

[Tim Wells]

I'd be proud to bust a cap in a clay pigeon with that! Very nice design; I especially like the way you incorporated the buck on the left side. Send it here after the show and I'll "test it out" for ya.

[DGrub]

Beautiful work Rich!! I like the wood carving too! You fella's did a wonderful job....Browning should be proud to have such a piece of art.
Dan

[jlseymour]

Ray said it. Wow!!!
What an honor...
Jerry

[Rich Hambrook]

Thank you all for your comments. I am waiting for headquarters to send me the professional pictures they have taken. When I receive them I will post them for you.
Rich Hambrook

[Dave London]

Rich
Excellent job thanks for posting the photos

[Rich Hambrook]

Hello all,
I got some better pictures for you that were professionally taken. I hope you enjoy them. Thank you for your wonderful comments.
Rich
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[ddushane]

I love it Rich, I love the wood carving as well! Thanks for sharing. Dwayne

[Roger Bleile]

Rich,

The gun you engraved pictured here is pictured in the latest issue of the American Rifleman with an accompanying story. I was sorely dissapointed that you nor your fellow engraver were mentioned in any way. Without your talents of design and engraving this would be just another Citori with a unique serial number. I am inclined to write in to AR and set this straight but at the same time I don't want to cause any problems for you with your employer.

Roger Bleile

[Rainer]

Originally Posted by Roger Bleile

Rich,

The gun you engraved pictured here is pictured in the latest issue of the American Rifleman with an accompanying story. I was sorely dissapointed that you nor your fellow engraver were mentioned in any way. Without your talents of design and engraving this would be just another Citori with a unique serial number. I am inclined to write in to AR and set this straight but at the same time I don't want to cause any problems for you with your employer.

Roger Bleile

How true..... that stinketh! Now everyone thinks that piece is entirely made in Japan....

Grrrrrrr
Rainer


PS:We have the same problem with our custom made fine furniture....

[Rich Hambrook]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Roger Bleile
Rich,

The gun you engraved pictured here is pictured in the latest issue of the American Rifleman with an accompanying story. I was sorely dissapointed that you nor your fellow engraver were mentioned in any way. Without your talents of design and engraving this would be just another Citori with a unique serial number. I am inclined to write in to AR and set this straight but at the same time I don't want to cause any problems for you with your employer.

Roger Bleile

Roger and Rainer,
First off let me apologize for not responding to the thread sooner. I have been extremely busy with home business and life in general. Secondly, thank you for your kind comments. I don't know what to say about the lack of acknowledgment on the article. I believe that the NRA is just writing the information given to them but one would think that the NRA would have researched the project a bit more. Truthfully, myself, Mr. Riemer, Mr. Helfrich (wood finisher) and the Arnold facility as a whole are a bit disappointed as well. Overall we were fortunate to get the opportunity to do this project because these projects are usually done at Barron Technology or Belgium. Maybe this project will bring us more opportunities in the future. Once again, thank you for your thoughts.

Rich Hambrook

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Roger Bleile

Rich,

The gun you engraved pictured here is pictured in the latest issue of the American Rifleman with an accompanying story. I was sorely dissapointed that you nor your fellow engraver were mentioned in any way. Without your talents of design and engraving this would be just another Citori with a unique serial number. I am inclined to write in to AR and set this straight but at the same time I don't want to cause any problems for you with your employer.

Roger Bleile

Roger, this might make you feel better. I already sent them a letter about the gun, and i will be sure to let them know it again when i go to Louisville in may.

[Roger Bleile]

Originally Posted by Sam

Roger, this might make you feel better. I already sent them a letter about the gun, and i will be sure to let them know it again when i go to Louisville in may.

Thanks Sam, I will not be shy about mentioning this to anyone from NRA publications as well when I am at the convention. In general, gun craftsmen do not get their due in AR anymore. It seems like they have gone the way of other gun pub.'s and only promote the products of advertisers. I would suspect that most gun engravers, like myself, are members (I'm an endowment member) but that doesn't speak like advertising bucks which hardly any self employed engraver can afford in AR.

Roger

[mckeenh]

Tremendous work, tremendous honor, You should be proud of that project. You pulled it off well. Keep posting your work, I will be looking forward to:yesnod: it.

Neil