[WiseguyDS]

Just off the phone with him - interesting guy. He chatted me up about being one of the guys working for Walther out of Black Creek? He runs a full-service gunsmith shop out in Birmingham. Thought I'd put it out there to see if anyone here knows of him or his current business?

 

[Kar98]

The only Robert Smith I know is Robert Smith of The Cure.

Probably a different guy.

 

[WiseguyDS]

The only Robert Smith I know is Robert Smith of The Cure.

Probably a different guy.

The wife and I have frequently discussed what planet we've ended up on. Really want a De Loreon with a Flux Capacitor about now.

 

[imaoldfart]

Really want a De Loreon with a Flux Capacitor about now.

Me too. It's back to the 50's for me.

 

[WiseguyDS]

MGMike addressed this gent's company in his FAQ

http://www.waltherforums.com/forum/faq-pp-tp/12611-walther-interarms-ranger-s-w-arrangement.html


FWIW, his full name is Robert Findley Smith. He mentioned that he has both formulas including the blue of the early Walthers. I'm not sure if I caught him on a good day but he sure had plenty to say about the history.



After one of our more recent posts about re-bluing and the effort, art and technique involved that is becoming a lost art, this gent and his present company, Original Magazines 2, still does bluing and gunsmithing.

 

[44hunter45]

I mentioned on another forum I had bought two NIB mags for my Steyr GB. I got them from him. $185 each and I paid with a smile.
One would not drop free of the pistol when I pushed the release button. I had to use Dykem to see where it was hanging up and do some fitting. It works and shoots great now.
Too bad Wolff won't do Steyr GB replacement springs. (HINT to Wolff !!!)

 

[WiseguyDS]

Thanks for resurfacing this thread 44Hunter45 -



The reblued gun I brought from him just went back again to Walther. First time was for a broken safety drum. This time mags (all, OEM & MecGar) drop from the frame during random shots.



Funny thing about the gun is that the bluing is actually purple in the right light. It's different but I kind of like it.

 

[Jimbo80]

Thanks for resurfacing this thread 44Hunter45 -

I really makes me wish I had my Ithaca M37 cut and parked some years ago as I had planned. The guys that really know how to do old school work are a retiring breed. We don't even get fake gunsmiths looking for work at my shop. Finding a non internet trained gunsmith these days is pretty near impossible and the ones that are, are busier than hell.

 

[WiseguyDS]

I really makes me wish I had my Ithaca M37 cut and parked some years ago as I had planned. The guys that really know how to do old school work are a retiring breed. We don't even get fake gunsmiths looking for work at my shop. Finding a non internet trained gunsmith these days is pretty near impossible and the ones that are, are busier than hell.

It’s what my smith said not long ago, Jimbo. To do it right is labor intensive and way expensive and not many know how any more. The guy I bought this gun from said he was one of the Ranger smiths and new the formula of bluing originally applied. Kind of like original Coca-cola? Guess so.

Suppose we can apply this to other trades as well. Buildings and architecture for one. It’s a lost art in place of faster, cheaper and replaceable.