Learn about the Lady Sharpshooters history and get some insight into what makes this group so special. Marianne Kelley also provided some excellent tips and tutorials on firearms workholding.
This issue features work from members of the Lady Sharpshooters: Diane Simpson (top), and Marianne Kelley (bottom)
CONTRIBUTORS Learn magazine wouldn’t be possible without our awesome contributors! If you have an idea for an article, tips or techniques you’d like to share, or just want to send us some photos of your latest work, please email GRS at creative@glendo.com. @GRSTOOLS TO SHARE IDEAS & PHOTOS OF YOUR WORK
Thank you, Marianne Kelley for your contributions to this edition of Learn. Marianne began her engraving journey after finding GRS while attending the Dallas Safari Club in 2015. She signed up for her first basic class in the summer of 2015. When she began engraving, she thought she would engrave knife bolsters, never imagining she would engrave guns. Marianne started her gun engraving journey when she attended Basic Gun Engraving taught by Rex Pedersen in 2016, followed by Start-to-Finish Firearm in 2017. At the time of her first class, she had a full-time job as a veterinarian which didn’t leave much time for practice. She is now retired and has time to practice and study the art of engraving. In 2018 she had the opportunity to join a group of ladies called the Lady Sharpshooters. Her first class was with Rex Pedersen. Since then, they have met yearly and studied under various instructors including Diane Scalese, Layne Zuelke, Mike Dubber, and Sam Alfano which has allowed her to improve her skill level immensely.
In 2019 she was in Grand Masters at GRS with Mike Dubber and later that year she was nominated to participate in the Bobby Tyler Engraving Extravaganza for which she was chosen as one of the 10 finalists who would engrave a Colt SAA. She would go on and be chosen the winner in 2021. In 2023 she was in Grand Masters at GRS with Damien Connolly. Just recently, January 2024 she has become a “professional” member of the ACGG in the “Engraver” category. She continues to practice and strive to improve while enjoying time with her husband, going on safaris and spending time with her 2 dogs!
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means: electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Glendo LLC. Although the highest
care has been taken to make the information contained in “Learn” as accurate as possible, neither Glendo LLC nor the authors can accept responsibility for damage of any nature resulting from the use of the information within. ©Glendo LLC 2024
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In this issue we celebrate the Lady Sharpshooters! This talented group was founded as a way to take a private intermediate gun engraving class with only women in attendance. What started as a simple desire to learn engraving skills in a collaborative environment has blossomed into a yearly tradition. These women created a community of support and opportunities they may not have considered possible.
04 20 Learn about the Sharpshooters history and get some insight into what makes this group so special. Marianne Kelley also provided some excellent tips and tutorials on firearms workholding.
Creating Community: The history of the Lady Sharpshooters
Five Questions The 2023 Sharpshooter class explains what LSS has meant to them.
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Firearm workholding solutions. By Marianne Kelley Hold Your Fire!
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Gun engraved by Tanya Gentry
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The Lady Sharpshooters are a group of 12 or so women who are passionate about gun engraving. All of the women in our group have at some point taken a gun engraving class at GRS. Diane Simpson was talking with Rex Pedersen and recalled a “male only” private class that he had taught. They thought it would be great to have a class of only female engravers hence the idea was born! Rex took the idea to GRS and they were completely on board! Diane and Otis began the task of looking for women engravers who have the passion for this type of instruction. They were able to find 12 women for the first class.
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Our first 5-day class was in 2018 with Rex Pedersen and Sandy Popovich as our gunsmith. The project in this class was a 1911 with a choice of either American or English scroll, along with gold inlaid borders. Most of us had not done any inlay so this was a nerve-racking task….I remember Diane Simpson saying, “Should we just do copper inlay in case we mess it up?” My answer to her was “No, this is what we are here for…..go for the gold!” In this class we also had our first real taste of gunsmithing. Sandy educated us in the disassembly, de-bluing and prepping of the metal surface for engraving. “What, we have to do all this stuff before we can engrave?” We learned there is much more to engraving the gun than just the engraving. If your project is not prepped properly your hard work will not look its best. Sandy gave us great advice — “buddy up with a gunsmith!” Our class with Rex and Sandy was a huge success! Now to find another unsuspecting instructor to teach this group the following year!
Leslie Lamberth
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I was SO impressed with the ladies!!! The organization of Diane was awesome and she grabbed the bull by the horns. All of the ladies were awesome and they were a determined group! Everyone had fun but at the same time their goal was to get as good as they could.
They are an amazing group!!
Rex Pedersen
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We were lucky enough to have Diane Scalese agree to teach us in 2019. The project this year was a Browning 22. We had the choice to use a pattern that Diane drew or to draw our own. Her design consisted of scroll work with a frame left for a scene. We had a list of things we wanted to learn and mind you, this was only a 5-day class! We wanted more inlay techniques, such as sheet and raised gold, how to design, sculpting, bulino and how to estimate a job. We were hungry for information…not understanding at the time what we were asking of her! Yes, all in 5 days!
Jack Greenwade decided to play an April Fools’ Day joke on the ladies and drove up from Texas to pretend he was joining them for class!
The ladies took a little time out to celebrate Leslie’s birthday, which fell during class week.
Dinner at the Olpe Chicken House.
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There is “magic” in a group of like-minded individuals who encourage and cheer each other on. I can say that this group of women work incredibly hard and have fun at the same time. This is possible, though some would doubt it. The group achievements are greater than the sum of them individually! It was such a pleasure to have taught them!
Diane Scalese
Marianne Kelley
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Layne Zuelke agreed to teach us for 2020, but unfortunately due to COVID we did not have his class until 2021. Our project was a Sig Sauer P238. Supply chain issues meant that a couple of the ladies were unable to get a Sig and had to opt for a Kimber instead. Layne designed a beautiful project for us, including our Lady Sharpshooter logo on the top! One of the subjects we wanted to learn was gold background inlay. “Be careful what you ask for,” they say…his design was small, deep relief scroll that involved tiny inlays…For a slide that didn’t look that big it sure did have a lot of real estate! Layne pushed our patience, his patience and added to our arsenal of skill sets. Despite the differences in guns and skill levels Layne was able to accommodate everyone’s needs.
Diane Simpson
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In 2019 I was very excited to get a call from Chris Correll at GRS asking if I would be interested in teaching a group of women who called themselves the “Lady Sharpshooters”. I had heard through the grapevine about their enthusiasm and success in previous classes and so I readily agreed to add a class to my schedule. Unfortunately, Covid got in the way in 2020 and so it was nearly two years later that we were finally able to get together at the GRS Training Center in Emporia KS. I was told by GRS Salesman Otis Moon that all involved were serious about the craft and I would need to challenge them. I decided to share my love of small scale work with the group and so I chose the diminutive Sig P238 for our canvas. I designed artwork for the gun that could be cut in a variety of ways to accommodate the various levels of skill among the participants. Some of the ladies are simply hobbyists who enjoy the challenge. Others are focused on adding to their skill sets with the
goal of becoming professional gun engravers. A few others came from the jewelry trade. All were excited to be there and take on the challenges I put forth. I have yet to run into a group of students with as much enthusiasm for the task at hand as I did with this class. Everyone present gave it their all and though finishing the project in one week would prove nearly impossible, I was impressed with the progress each student made. It was very satisfying to see the progress photos start to roll in weeks after the class concluded and I was extremely proud of the high level of workmanship my students were able to achieve. They certainly kept me on my toes and I’m quite certain I walked away a better instructor for the effort. Layne Zuelke
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In 2022 Mike Dubber stepped up and agreed to teach us. Remember, our first three classes were only five days each — that’s barely enough time to get started! This time around, we petitioned for a 10-day class — to which Mike, Sandy, and GRS agreed. We were super excited! Our project this year was a Colt 1911 with a design Mike drew exclusively for the Lady Sharpshooters. When we arrived at class Mike was waiting for us with whips in hand. We had a lot of work to do. Our first order of business was to choose what we would put on the top of the slide as our major raised multi- metal inlay. Our choices were diverse, from a navy emblem to eagles, gemsbok, and even a sloth. We thought 10 days would be enough to get more done, but with advanced skills comes more time needed. We accomplished what we set out to learn but didn’t even come close to completing the project. Mike helped to correct some of our bad habits and worked with everyone individually as needed. Another smashing success of a class! Our class with Mike is forever memorialized in the infamous cabinet of beautifully engraved items in the break room at GRS. Mike was gracious enough to donate the master plate and our LSS All-Star Award, which Mike made for the class. It was awarded to a different student each day chosen by the current holder for outstanding work.
Paula Lyon
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The Lady Sharpshooters group presents a unique and refreshing teaching opportunity for the class instructor. The Sharpshooters are entirely concentrated on learning. They are not competitive, they respect and honor each member’s contributions, and they support one another throughout the learning process. Each class member represents the group in their thinking and focus of the ultimate goal; that of improving the engraving skills of every other member. Their successes are clearly evident in the way individual class members have progressed since their initial gatherings. Perhaps it wasn’t their goal in the beginning, but the experiment has developed into a full-fledged flight to engraving perfection. Mike Dubber
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Sam Alfano agreed to take on our class for 2023! Our project this year was a Winchester Model 61. Our pattern consisted of his arabesque style scroll with both flush, raised and sculpted gold inlays done with sheet gold. Cutting out those tiny pieces was challenging! We were grateful for another 10-day class, which was essential to begin to learn the skills we requested. Pushing our skills to the next level along with pushing us out the door at night… anyone who knows us knows you need a crow bar to get us out of class! He built our skills and knowledge to complete this project at home.
Mary Dyk
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The Lady Sharpshooters group can be summed up pretty easily. They are a group of gun
engravers who are hungry for knowledge, dedicated, and have made a commitment to push themselves to new heights.
They provided a list of techniques they wanted to focus on, and I did my best to deliver a challenging project and get them out of their comfort zones. They exceeded my expectations. Many showed up Monday morning with the design already cut onto practice plates, so they had some familiarity with the design beforehand. This paid off well and I was blown away by the sculpting and deep relief engraving they brought to show me. I threw caution to the wind and learned with them as I demonstrated techniques of undercutting and inlay that I’d heard of but had not done before. They received it enthusiastically and several went on to use the techniques on their class gun project. One of my goals was to give them enough to go by, but to also encourage them to make their own design decisions as to how to handle certain areas, and I was thrilled that they took it and ran with it. Some of their results were much different than mine, and I’m happy to say some were better! I was the instructor and they were the students, but in reality it’s more family than teacher-students. Many I’ve known for years and the class chemistry is wonderful! It was one of my most rewarding experiences in 25+ years of teaching. Sam Alfano
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I have been most fortunate to be part of the Lady Sharpshooters (LSS) as the gunsmith and assistant for the class. The ladies of the LSS classes are a great group. They started as strangers and have become a close-knit group of friends with a strong support system for each other. From the first class to the most recent the ladies have wanted to be challenged. And they have been. Their engraving skills range from intermediate to master level. And those skills grow every day. Their dedication to the art and each other is amazing. E.L. “Sandy” Popovich
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We are excited for our 2024 instructor, Lee Griffiths! We are working out the details of this class as I write this article, so there is more to come. Our group is mostly word of mouth. Diane Simpson has started a Facebook and Instagram page. We also communicate via Messenger for our classes so everyone gets all the proper information and “show and tells” of our progress! In 2023, we were fortunate enough to have tables at FEGA where 7 of our members displayed their work, and 3 members also had their own tables! The table allowed us to show our work individually but also as a group and enlighten the public about women engravers. The future of Lady Sharpshooters is bright! We are fortunate to have future instructors in the wings and past instructors returning. The excitement, enthusiasm, and hunger to learn from the best of the best will hopefully keep us all learning for years to come. Our group has come a long way from the first day of class with Rex Pedersen. Our members are diverse, with different skill sets and goals, but we have become a family of friends with similar interests. Although our classes are intense, we find time to fit in jokes and many laughs! We enjoy the camaraderie and the willingness of everyone to help each other — we are each other’s cheerleaders!
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Once a Lady Sharpshooter, always a Lady Sharpshooter! The ladies that have participated past and present: Diane Simpson, Marci Willis, Leslie Lamberth, Joanna Wallace, Mary Dyk, Marianne Kelley, Tanya Gentry, Gloria Hoffman, Kelli Oaks, Andrea Hostetter, Lisa Lyons, Sharon Froehlich, Paula Lyon, Ryleigh Paxton, Carol Dorne, Cassie Larsen (and honorary member Annabelle Larsen), Barbara Jacques, and Andrea Ring.
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Member Accomplishments 2019 Diane Simpson, Marci Willis, & Paula Lyon Grand Masters with Sam Alfano 2022 Marianne Kelley Elected as Treasurer to the FEGA board
Mary Dyk & Marianne Kelley Grand Masters with Mike Dubber 2021 Ryleigh Paxton Took a job with Bill Oyster Fly Rods
Marianne Kelley Won FEGA Emerging Artist, FEGA Best Engraved Handgun, and FEGA Engravers Choice Award of Merit
Marianne Kelley Appointed “Wrangler” for the 2023 FEGA Auction Gun 2023 Diane Simpson Elected as Director White to the FEGA board
Marianne Kelley Won Tyler Gun Works Engraving Extravaganza
Marianne Kelley Won FEGA President’s Award, FEGA Editor’s Award, FEGA Master Engraver Auction Gun Award, FEGA Metal on Metal Inlay collaboration with Layne Zuelke, FEGA Best Engraved Modern Firearm collaboration with Layne Zuelke and FEGA Peoples Choice Best Table Award.
A huge “Thank You” to all of our instructors who have taken the time to plan and instruct these amazing classes. Their dedication to the engraving arts is what has made these classes a huge success and improved our skills! Our words can’t explain how grateful we are to Otis Moon, Molly Licea and the entire staff of GRS for allowing this dream to become a reality! Without their hard work and support we wouldn’t be where we are today!
Marianne Kelley “Wrangler” for the 2024 FEGA Auction Gun
Marianne Kelley & Joanna Wallace Grand Masters with Damien Connolly
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We always get a smile on our face when the Lady Sharpshooters make their annual trip to Emporia. There is a unique buzz in the air on the first morning of class – complete with happy greetings, delicious treats, ear-to-ear smiles, and so many hugs! This trip is certainly a festive social gathering, but there is more to it than that for this talented collection of engravers. LSS provides each member a community of like-minded artists who support each other as they learn and cultivate their craft. Encouragement leads to growth, which inspires members to continue their journey. They check in with each other throughout the year and by doing so, hold themselves accountable to the group. Growth and development of skills provides new opportunities that they never thought were imaginable when they decided to start an all female firearm engraving class. Each individual accomplishment props up this family of engravers, the Lady Sharpshooters. We asked the 2023 class attendees what the LSS has meant to them. Thank you to all the Sharpshooters for sharing your experience. 5 Questions We Asked The Lady Sharpshooters About Their Experience
MARY DYK, SHARON FROELICH Hard at work during the 2022 Lady Sharpshooters class.
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What excites you most about being part of this group? JOANNA WALLACE
SHARON FROELICH I love being a part of the Lady Sharpshooters. The diversity in life experiences, talent, personalities, and skill sets enriches the association with each person. The entire group, together, is constantly growing, supporting and challenging one another. LESLIE LAMBERTH What excites me the most about being part of this amazing group of ladies is everyone has the drive and hunger to learn and take in as much as possible during our time with our teachers. We continue that support throughout the year. Making sure everyone has those chips flying. Through messages and text we continue to support each other. This is now my “Girls’’ trip every year! I used to do cruises... haha, now I spend 10 days landlocked in one of the nicest hot and windy towns that feels like home away from home with 12 sisters.
Engraving, like many artistic pursuits, can be a lonely occupation. I was fortunate to learn engraving as a student at Emporia State University. I learned in a classroom with other engraving students and much of my time there was spent engraving with others. When my time at ESU was drawing to a close, I was invited to join a new group of women engravers at GRS, who later became known as The Lady Sharpshooters. I was very excited to join a group of talented women engravers and to once again be part of a community of engravers, as I had been at ESU. MARCI WILLIS I’m so grateful first of all that Diane and Otis both told me and invited me to be a part of this first-time all ladies engraving class. I’m excited to see my engraving friends every year! I’m always thrilled about the excellent teachers we have and the project gun we get to work on. MARY DYK The thing that most excites me about this group is the fact that we are all women learning to engrave guns. Gun engraving has been a skill dominated by men and it’s great to see women learning these skills together.
The First Ever Lady Sharpshooter Class
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How does working with a group of like- minded people impact your work? KELLI OAKS I remember looking at several of the ladies' practice plates and seeing how meticulously that they had engraved on them and being inspired to strive for that level of excellence. That desire has led me to spending many more hours at my own engraving bench working to improve all areas of It makes one strive to keep excelling. It’s like being a sponge and wanting to soak up all the learning techniques that one can. I see that in every LSS member. LISA LYONS Working with a group of like-minded people in a way is like being part of a team you find yourself upping your game to do your best to do better and learning from being around people who are doing the same thing you are. MARCI WILLIS It’s the ideas and positive feedback that encourages me to do my best; if not there, but at home. MARY DYK my work. PAULA LYON Women learning together creates an atmosphere where they are not afraid of asking questions and learning new things. TANYA GENTRY Working with the same group year after year we have been going through the learning process together so we can watch the progress of the others while we progress ourselves. It is always good to see how others approach the same project I am working on, that is helpful.
SHARON FROELICH, MARIANNE KELLEY, LISA LYONS, MARY DYK The "Bullet Award" - A daily achievement award selected by fellow Lady Sharpshooters.
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How do you encourage each other throughout the year? GLORIA HOFFMAN
LISA LYONS By periodically asking about and posting works in progress and by checking in with each other and encouraging one another or helping with questions. Everyone gets stuck every once in a while and it’s nice to have just a nudge to move forward. ANDREA HOSTETTER I feel each lunch and dinner I have with them (during class) are the best moments we have to bond and build each other up. Every craftsman, artist – anyone creating with their hands is often their own worst critic. Sharing with each other our inspiration, struggles, and motivation over meals has given me insight and understanding on myself and others. In a subtle way, I feel it helps us get out of our own head.
LSS keeps in touch all year long through the internet, phone calls, FEGA, and additional classes. If you have a question, just ask and you will receive an answer either from the women in LSS or past instructors. Pictures of projects are exchanged for everyone to appreciate and also for any suggestions to change or do something different. With this group it is never “mean” or inappropriate criticism – it is always directed to helping one another. JOANNA WALLACE The group chat is wonderful. We can not only easily talk to each other, we can share pictures of our work for critiquing by the group and we can celebrate our achievements with each other. SHARON FROELICH We encourage each other to do better, we encourage one another when we have set-backs, and celebrate each other’s successes. Somehow, it is always done in the spirit of kindness, respect and love for one another. To keep us at it, we always have a “what’s in your vise” question that comes out and we respond to. So fun to see what each other is working on... and reminds us not to slack off in improving our craft.
Tanya Gentry 2022 Sharpshooters Class Project
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Has being part of LSS opened up opportunities for you? GLORIA HOFFMAN
LISA LYONS I would say the biggest for me so far was having table space at FEGA in Las Vegas this year, 2023. It pushed me to get out of my comfort zone by putting my work on display for others to see. It opens up conversations and helps creatively. And will push me to do better and have more for next year. LESLIE LAMBERTH Being part of this group has opened the door to the best teachers in the engraving world! I have become friends with some of the most well- known engravers out there. They are so giving of their knowledge and their kindness is beyond imagination. I always felt I had to be good enough to take classes with these instructors. Every one of them is now my friend. It is simply amazing how close we all are. The door has been opened to our talent because of the groups continued hunger for learning. I am honored to be part of this community! PAULA LYON It has opened up so many valued and treasured friendships. Something money can never buy.
It has been an opportunity for me to meet new friends across the USA, learn ideas I didn’t even know I wanted to know. And friendships that will last a lifetime. SHARON FROELICH The advice from others on how to market what we do has been priceless. I am new in the area of specializing in gun engraving... so any and all advice is always welcome. I also think that as the Lady Sharpshooter’s group gains more notoriety, it will benefit me in being part of the group. Just the association makes me strive for more excellence. I don’t want to let the group down with poor performance. The bar is set really high with this group. DIANE SIMPSON Very proud that the FEGA Board members allowed us to have LSS Group tables at the show last year. We plan to have even more tables at the 2024 FEGA Show. People visiting our tables seemed excited that we were a group of women engraving guns. People around the world are following along with us on our journey. I acquired new customers at the FEGA Show.
LESLIE LAMBERTH & MARIANNE KELLEY Attending and displaying at the 2022 FEGA Show
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What is your favorite memory with LSS? ANDREA HOSTETTER Honestly, there are too many to count. It’s anywhere between the yearly tradition at group photo time (if you know, you know ha ha) to the Easter meal and many other meals together. Even the small moments when we share a laugh or an ‘Aha!’ moment are noteworthy. DIANE SIMPSON
KELLI OAKS I have to say my favorite memory from my 10 days with LSS was getting to know a bit about each lady and finding that they were truly genuine and welcoming. SHARON FROELICH I came into the group after they had been together for three years. It was a little intimidating. The warm welcome I received from everyone in the group is my favorite memory. I felt like I was part of the Lady Sharpshooter “Family” from the first time I met all of these amazing women. The warmth and openness is genuine. There is no trace of “ego” or earning your place amongst them. They are simply the most welcoming, down to earth, genuine talented engravers that you could possibly meet or be associated with. Their intent is to help each member become the best that they can be. Smiles, laughs, hugs, having a good time and working extremely hard are the behaviors they exemplify. It’s a privilege to be part of the Lady Sharpshooters.
The look on Sandy and Rex’s faces when I “lip smacked” them in our first LSS class. The moment that Mike Dubber stopped the class, with bull whip in hand, to “RETEACH” us how to center our vise under the microscope. It was one of those “Ah Ha” moments. GLORIA HOFFMAN When I received the “bullet” for my first gold inlay in Mike Dubber’s 10-day class. Everyday the “bullet” was awarded to one of the students by another student for an achievement that they have done. It is heartwarming to know fellow students who are aware enough to see what is happening to make these projects a success. TANYA GENTRY Lunch time with the instructors makes for great memories.
2019 Lady Sharpshooters Celebrating Leslie Lamberth's birthday!
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Fixated Firearms Hold Your
WORKHOLDING SOLUTIONS by Marianne Kelley
As you gain experience in firearms engraving, it quickly becomes apparent that gun parts come in many odd shapes! After disassembling a project, the next question becomes, “How the heck do I hold that piece securely so I can work on it?” We’ll explore some practical solutions to hold firearm parts. There are many commercially available and custom options, and this will give you some ideas on good ways to hold your work or spark a little creative problem-solving when you run across a difficult piece.
ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES Vise/Block
An appropriate-sized vise is necessary for holding your work. The vise should be heavy enough to hold your work and keep it stable. One of the most important things is to try and eliminate vibration.
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ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES
Metal Protectants Painter’s Tape Painter’s tape is a good choice for this. It keeps away the small scratches (that seem to appear from nowhere!) by covering the metal that you are not currently working on. There are certainly other options, but this one is easy to find and doesn’t leave a sticky residue.
Leather Pads Leather pads can be used wherever needed. They can be cut to size and glued down as necessary. They are also excellent padding for parts that will be clamped in vise jaws.
Wood Blocks
Wood blocks paired with Thermo-Loc®, hot glue, or super glue can be your friend when engraving parts such as the frame, slide, thumb safety, and slide lock in the vise. Wood is easy to cut and shape to meet your workholding needs.
Fixatives
Super Glue Easy to apply, quick drying, and simple to remove with acetone.
Thermo-Loc® Thermo-Loc® can be heated and molded to the part you are engraving. Reusable and non-toxic.
Hot Glue Inexpensive, easy to use, and readily available. Solidifies quickly. Can be softened with heat to remove.
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REVOLVERS Handguns Mike Dubber Complete SAA Fixture Set Photos courtesy Marianne Kelley
If you are engraving a Colt Single Action Army or any type of wheel gun (gun with a cylinder), then you will need fixtures for holding the barrel, frame, cylinder, loading gate, ejector rod housing, hammer, backstrap, trigger guard, and screws. I have found that GRS has the Mike Dubber Complete Fixture Set which includes all the holding fixtures for the above, including scribes for horizontal and vertical straight lines on the barrel and cylinder. At the time of this writing, this kit is available from GRS but stock is limited to that on hand.
Barrel & Cylinder Holder Sliding uprights adjust to hold either the barrel or cylinder.
Scribe Fixtures Two fixtures allow you to mark the length or circumference of your piece.
Backstrap Holding Plates
Screw Holder
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Ejector Tube Holder
Hammer Holder
Trigger Guard Holder
Loading Gate Stabilizer
Frame Bracket Holders
Custom Fabricated Fixtures Photos courtesy Brian Powley
SAA Frame Holder
Brian Powley | Barrel Fixture
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1911 Custom Wood Fixtures Photos courtesy Marianne Kelley Mike Dubber | Frame Fixture
Slide Fixture
Rex Pedersen | Slide Fixture
Marianne Kelley | Slide Lock Fixture
Thumb Safety Fixture
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Custom Fabricated Fittings Photo courtesy GRS E.L. “Sandy” Popovich | Brass Fittings
If engraving 1911 slides, brass fittings can be made to fit the ends of the barrel holder in the Mike Dubber Complete SAA Fixture Set which allows you to rotate the slide easily, especially when engraving the top of the slide. E.L. “Sandy” Popovich designed and made a prototype of these fittings. GRS manufactured them for the 2022 Lady Sharpshooters class with Mike Dubber. Work-in-progress by Tanya Gentry.
Custom Fabricated Fixtures Photos courtesy Brian Powley Brian Powley Frame Fixture Prototype
Updated Frame Fixture Manufactured by Griffin & Howe
Slide Fixtures
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Barrel fixtures Long Guns LONG BARRELS Custom Fabricated Fixtures Photos courtesy Marianne Kelley
Jim Blair | Long Barrel Fixture
Long barrels are another challenge. A similar fixture to the Mike Dubber SAA barrel holder, but a longer version needs to be fashioned. This is where a mill and lathe can help you accomplish this task.
Justin Blair | Long Barrel Fixture
Receivers for rifles or shotguns sometimes require a wood block inserted inside to keep it even and level in the vise, along with decreasing vibration if inlaying is to be done. Combining methods of workholding may be necessary for some pieces — here, leather pads are used in conjunction with the wood block. RECEIVERS Custom Wood Fixture Photos courtesy Marianne Kelley
Greg Gentry | Receiver Fixture
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RIFLES Custom Fabricated Fixtures Photos courtesy Bruce Farman
Ralph Bone | Bolt Fixture
Bruce Farman | Bolt Fixture
Bolts from bolt-action rifles need their own type of fixture in order to hold the ball while engraving.
Custom Wood Fixtures
Floor plates can be held by Thermo-Loc®, super glue, or hot glue to a flat block.
Mike Dubber | Floor Plate Fixture Wood Block & Super Glue Photo courtesy Mike Dubber
Diane Simpson | Floor Plate Fixture Wood Block & Hot Glue Photo courtesy Diane Simpson
SHOTGUNS
Custom Fabricated Fixtures Photos courtesy Bruce Farman
Brian Powley Top Latch Fixtures
Top latches of shotguns can be challenging and need a specialized holder.
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Universal Custom Fabricated Fixtures Photos courtesy Damien Connolly Damien Connolly | Custom Universal Fixture
Grip in Custom Universal Fixture
Receiver Fixture
Hammer Fixture
Receiver held in vise on a magnetic plate in bowl in order to keep it centered.
Hammer adhered to wood block, mounted to steel plates on magnetic base in bowl to keep it centered.
Custom universal work holding fixture & engraving bowl that ensures work stays centered.
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Custom Wood Fixtures Photos courtesy Damien Connolly
Colt Case Plaque Fixture Wood Block & Adhesive
Colt Backstrap Fixture Clamped & Screwed Between Two Wood Blocks
SAA Case Compartment Lid Fixture Clamped & Screwed Between Wood Blocks, Super-Glued to Light Steel Plate
Have a great workholding method you’d like to share? We’d love to see it! TAG US @GRSTOOLS
This article could never encompass all of the ways parts can be held, but we hope it serves as a good starting point for ideas. Sometimes simple wood blocks and glue will do the trick; sometimes a project requires specific holding to meet a specific need. You are only limited by your imagination.
Thank you to Mike Dubber, Brian Powley, Jim Blair, Justin Blair, Bruce Farman, Ralph Bone, Diane Simpson, Sam Alfano, Rex Pedersen, Sandy Popovich, Greg Gentry, Damien Connolly, and Marianne Kelley who contributed their fixtures and photos to make this article possible.
Chip Blower
E.L. “Sandy” Popovich Photos courtesy Marianne Kelley
Sam Alfano Photos courtesy Sam Alfano
Although this is not a workholding fixture, it is a useful idea worth sharing! This is a custom chip blower created by Sandy Popovich for our Lady Sharpshooter class with Sam Alfano. We were sawing our gold sheet and the chips got in the way, so the chip blower was created! Sam Alfano had also already designed a version which is attached to the saw itself.
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