I doubt you’ve heard of Dewey Vicknair of Vicknair Restorations. Which is a shame.
Dewey’s one of the most impressive gunsmiths and gunmakers in America.
He builds SxS shotguns and double rifles from scratch, and he combines mechanical genius with original thinking, artistry, and a ruthless, no-BS focus on quality.
As he puts it:
Here’s something you have to see: Customizing a Fox with English flair
It’s a story from Shooting Sportsman magazine about one of the craziest gun-making projects I’ve seen. It’s also a testament to just how talented its creator — Dewey Vicknair — is.
Customizing a Fox with English flair
From the article: “This project started in much the same manner as most custom-gun commissions: an initial call from a client who wanted something unique, made to fit, lightweight and well proportioned. That last part is the main reason behind using a Fox as the starting point—because of the gun’s slender action bar and its almost perfect visual balance with the rest of the frame. The base for the project was a NIB-condition Utica-made Sterlingworth in 16 gauge…” Read more at Customizing a Fox with English flair.
To see more pics and learn more about everything Dewey did to this gun, check out this post on his blog: “Anglicizing” a Fox (#005)
Dewey Vicknair, gunsmith, gunmaker, and gun writer, uses his blog Vicknair Gunsmithing to speak his mind on everything from guns and gunmaking to elephants and ivory.
He’s a knowledgeable, opinionated guy, who doesn’t pull any punches. And his views are firearms are based on more than just books – they’re based on years of hands-on experience.
So when Dewey says something, I listen. Check out this piece for his opinion on how Best guns like Purdeys compare to production-made models like Parkers.
Apparently, the term “best gun” and what it means, is a subject of debate lately on certain gun forums. While it is amusing (and a bit cringey) to hear people extoll Parker (or any other maker) as the “Purdey or Boss” of American guns, it’s simply not even remotely …
