eskimo36
.375 Atomic
Oklahoma
Posts: 2,049
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Post by eskimo36 on Nov 11, 2016 8:25:27 GMT -5
I saw a beautiful Forkin Bisley last night that recently changed hands and it was a beautiful gun. I don't think I've ever seen one on the secondary mkt, at least posted on a forum or auction. Are there many in this group or is the wait just too long. I hear it's about 4-5 years. I'd like to see more pictures if you guys are hiding any.
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Post by bushog on Nov 11, 2016 8:49:17 GMT -5
I've seen very few and never had my hands on his work....
Pics of at least one should show up before too long...
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Post by fanofthefortyone on Nov 11, 2016 8:51:47 GMT -5
Her you go, I've got one, an OMBH converted to 44 Special, it was gone for about 3 years,  Ronnie |
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Post by jimtx on Nov 11, 2016 8:59:50 GMT -5
I was going to say I think his work is reserved for Brian Pierce only:)
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Post by potatojudge on Nov 11, 2016 10:29:42 GMT -5
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Post by sixshot on Nov 11, 2016 11:52:19 GMT -5
Like most custom pistol smith's Ben is a one man shop & like all the other's his backlog can get to be 2-3-4 years. He's a great guy, I've met him at Raton & held a few of his guys & they are as good as any out there. If you have one you are in rare company. Seems to hang out a bit with a character named Kelye from Belt Mountain (whoever he is!) another great guy.
Dick
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Post by kings6 on Nov 11, 2016 12:24:05 GMT -5
All comments are above are correct. The Forkin gun that just changed hands took 5 years from order to completion. It was not so much the length of the work but Ben works on similar batches of guns such as lever guns then goes to revolvers etc. Like John Gallagher, he gets the local crowd bringing him stuff every year just before hunting season as well which he tries to accommodate which I totally understand. He is also a father of a couple of great kids who are scholar athletes and Ben supports them with his time and presence at as many of their functions as he can. Like many small business owners, he chooses his profession with family as one of the main factors, at least that is what I gather form our conversations. The gun posted on the link above is back at Bens now getting converted back to a non transfer bar with a Clements bisley hammer that will be sent to Turnbull to match the rest of the gun. He also has a Marlin cowboy limited in 41 mag that he is doing the butt stock through bolt on, action work and it too goes to Turnbull for coloring. Not sure which year those will come back.  IF you see a Forkin gun for sale, grab it, their are harder to find that hen's teeth and worth the price. |
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princeout
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 2,001
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Post by princeout on Nov 11, 2016 12:47:28 GMT -5
Robb,
If you get a chance, feel free to post the pictures of the 45!
Tim
Edit: Reposted picture on page 3 since Photobucket went south...
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Post by kings6 on Nov 11, 2016 15:47:46 GMT -5
This is the Forkin gun that has begun its journey to Tim's house.  |
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Post by squawberryman on Nov 11, 2016 16:46:10 GMT -5
Covet, covet, covet
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eskimo36
.375 Atomic
Oklahoma
Posts: 2,049
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Post by eskimo36 on Nov 11, 2016 16:50:19 GMT -5
Vaqueros transition to the barrel in such a sleek and graceful manner.
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princeout
.375 Atomic
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Posts: 2,001
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Post by princeout on Nov 11, 2016 20:46:38 GMT -5
These guns will continue to travel around the group. Finite resources mean something will go eventually to let something new in.
But, as caretaker for a while, I sure enjoy shooting them! Learning about the hows and whys of custom changes, meeting the builders, meeting the rest of you guys, it's all part of the fun of this board Lee has provided for us. I wish I was headed to Tulsa for Wanenmacher show tomorrow so I could talk with some of the folks who will be there, plus that's where my FFL is and where the Forkin will be tomorrow! Family commitments will keep me away, but I'll run up there next week to get it!
Thanks to all for a fun, interesting and generally civil place to hang out here at Singleactions!
Tim
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steve
.375 Atomic
Posts: 1,505
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Post by steve on Nov 11, 2016 22:57:01 GMT -5
The juice is worth the squeeze
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kelye
.30 Stingray
www.beltmountain.com
Posts: 349
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Post by kelye on Nov 11, 2016 23:28:12 GMT -5
Mr Sixshot is correct, I met Ben right after he moved back to Montana from Tennessee, we both worked in a Bozeman machine shop until he moved back to White Sulphur Springs. I currently have 5 Rugers that he has made for me. I have a long cylinder 45 Bisley with Dustin's Ivory Micarta grips, an Old model 357 converted to 44 special with sheephorn grips, a 357 flattop with an extra 9mm cylinder, and one of the first 357 new vaquero's converted to 44 special. He currently has a 32 single six of mine that is turning into something special. A good friend, and a good man. Kelye
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Post by sixshot on Nov 12, 2016 1:29:20 GMT -5
What some here may or may not know is that Ben Forkin worked for Hamilton Bowen at one time & he has learned the craft very well. As mentioned I've never owned one of his custom beauties but I've seen them thanks to Kelye & Ben when they were at Raton, New Mexico. Believe me his work can stand on it's own with anyone!
Dick
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IF you see a Forkin gun for sale, grab it, their are harder to find that hen's teeth and worth the price.
