|
Post by AxeHandle on Mar 24, 2013 10:43:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by maxcactus on Mar 24, 2013 11:25:34 GMT -5
Al Harton is at the bottom of the list for authenticity Hi Carlos, and welcome to the forum. When you say "bottom of the list for authenticity" can you explain further or more clearly what you mean?? There are a significant number of men on this forum that have had work done by Mr. Harton and to a man, all Alan's customers say the workmanship and customer service from his shop is second to none. Several pieces of his work have been illustrated on thise site and others as well as in some books. Mr. Harton doesn't appear to be lacking in either skills, taste, ethics or customer satisfaction. I'm just not sure what you mean by "authentic" - some don't like the fact that Tunbull lacquers his frames. Does that make his work less than authentic? I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just trying to understand why I should consider some other smith over Mr. Harton? For the record, I am not yet a customer of Mr. Harton.
|
|
|
Post by Markbo on Mar 24, 2013 11:58:09 GMT -5
Al Harton is at the bottom of the list for authenticity Max, you are much, much too kind. That is the most uneducated, ridiculous and .... no let me just say it... that is just a stupid statement from someone that obviously does not know Alan or his work. ![>:(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/angry.png) Troll alert!
|
|
|
Post by sheriff on Mar 24, 2013 12:47:47 GMT -5
Definately qualifies as having HUA!
|
|
steve
.375 Atomic
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Posts: 1,518
|
Post by steve on Mar 24, 2013 15:21:36 GMT -5
Harton guns? I was up visiting my Dad a few weeks back, he brought is Harton gun that he'd got back just before Thanksgiving. I brought the 38 spec ammo. Both of us were sitting on the tailgate of my pick-up, It seemed like half an hour that we were passing the gun back and forth...............It turned out that it was 2 hours ,and 400rounds later................Time really does fly when you're having a good time. I think the only thing left stock is the ER spring ;D.....It's a keeper ![](http://i692.photobucket.com/albums/vv282/stevemikel/100_1582_zps92b7026d.jpg)
|
|
|
Post by maxcactus on Mar 24, 2013 17:42:46 GMT -5
Al Harton is at the bottom of the list for authenticity Max, you are much, much too kind. That is the most uneducated, ridiculous and .... no let me just say it... that is just a stupid statement from someone that obviously does not know Alan or his work. ![>:(](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/angry.png) Troll alert! Well, given it was Carlos' first post to the forum, I thought I should give him the opportunity to 'splain himself. Perhaps Carlos is confusing Al(an) Harton with Al(gebra) Hardon?? The fact remains Alan's work has been described in both words, pictures and gun-in-hand experience using such words as "genius", "perfection" and "welding wizzardry". Having been a master machinist for > teo DECADES before embarking on a career as a pistolsmith, Alan doesn't need me to defend his work. This is a small industry, however, so if someone doesn't have facts to back up their statement(s) vs. the sterling reputataion of one of the premier revolversmiths in the country, it doesn't seem the other man has much of a leg to stand on!
|
|
|
Post by Robster on Mar 24, 2013 19:28:49 GMT -5
Princeout.......Really? ![???](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/huh.png) ? Did you HAVE to post your .327 Federal? ![???](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/huh.png) ? Now I just HAVE to have one like that!!!!! Thanks a lot, and I thought I was done with customs. I guess Alan will be hearing from me as soon as I can procure a donor 3 screw for the project
|
|
steve
.375 Atomic
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Posts: 1,518
|
Post by steve on Mar 24, 2013 19:38:04 GMT -5
Alan Harton is a class act.
|
|
carlos
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 9
|
Post by carlos on Mar 24, 2013 20:15:05 GMT -5
I see that plenty of ire has been raised over my Harton comment. To be fair, Al IS a master at his welding and metal work, and his focus on modifying Rugers and others into bear guns is legendary. No one can fault them. That said, a very dear friend contracted with Al to have a very scarce 1874 production US marked Colt restored. The gun had all its original markings, which were very importat to my friend in keeping the gun original as possible. Metal work was to be done in various places as well. Let me just say that the originality and contours were lost, to the dismay of my friend. Not saying he's a bad guy, just saying.......not that authentic.
|
|
cj3a
.30 Stingray
Posts: 403
|
Post by cj3a on Mar 24, 2013 20:21:16 GMT -5
And I am going to say you are not giving us the whole story. It really does not matter though. If you have a problem with Alan call him up and tell him.
|
|
carlos
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 9
|
Post by carlos on Mar 24, 2013 20:28:07 GMT -5
He did and there was no response or offer to fix. Figured he was ill and maybe out of the business. My friend then sent it to another shop for correction, against the advice of that shop owner, who said the money would be wasted. Friend wanted it correct and now it is. We don't think Al knows enough about early first gens, that's all. His case color was wonderful, but it was the only correct thing about the job.
|
|
cj3a
.30 Stingray
Posts: 403
|
Post by cj3a on Mar 24, 2013 20:32:02 GMT -5
Now I understand why Alan did not want to continue business with you or your friend. I am done as well.
|
|
carlos
.240 Incinerator
Posts: 9
|
Post by carlos on Mar 24, 2013 20:42:11 GMT -5
And that is? ![???](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/huh.png) You asked for some specifics, so I gave as easy and simple a story as possible. We think he may have sent it out because it didn't meet up with the hype we have seen here. He's great on the other guns, no doubt, but we have seen more authentic work on early Colts done by others. What's so hard to understand about that? No one is perfect. If I wanted a Ruge customized, he's my man. Just not a Colt
|
|
Fowler
.401 Bobcat
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png) ![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Posts: 3,582
|
Post by Fowler on Mar 24, 2013 21:32:29 GMT -5
Carlos your probably right, Alan doesnt know old Colts he probably only owns about 75 first generation Colts right now to use as a reference if need be. Everything he builds he stands behind so I am going to agree with the other gentleman and say there is more to the story than you are saying.
Alan is far from perfect, but typically because he takes too many guns on and he gets buried and behind, partly because he puts in the extra time to do it right. When I was interviewing gunsmiths to build my #5 I spoke to all of the big name sixgun smiths, it came down to Alan's willingness to do it the way I wanted not the way he wanted to do it. I could not be more pleased with the finished result, it was exactly what I wanted.
As I said your story has holes in it to say the least...
|
|
|
Post by hoover on Mar 24, 2013 22:57:55 GMT -5
Carlos, given the fantastic references of Alan Hartons work by knowledgable men who have experienced his work first hand, have you ever considered the fact that maybe your friend doesn't know what a 1st generation Colt is supposed to look like contour and marking wise?
|
|