Have followed this thread quite closely after my posting about my little Davis. When I first started shooting 100 Yd Black Powder rifle competition, I had to use a Thompson Center 50 cal Hawken. (All I could afford, most were using custom rifles) I was ridiculed and laughed at many times. One guy even laughed out loud and told me I "Shouldn't shoot that thing in serious competition". I ignored him and went on to out shoot him on a regular basis. I was usually in the money! Sad to say I quit after two seasons. The reason? quite simple, I didn't want to continue shooting with a bunch of snobs, despite that fact I out shot most of them An older gentleman who had coached me,was also laughed at for his rifles, they were "home made" and he and his wife always finished really well at the Nationals. In fact he and his wife won the husband and wife event several times. So if there is a moral to the story its quite simply this. "Some can shoot darn near anything well and some cant shoot worth a darn with the most expensive firearms". . So lets all think hard about the criticism or assistance we offer..
Unfortunately, a lot of folks focus on making themselves look big and others small or the hardware rather than the software between the ears. Sorry you had that experience. An inexpensive firearms in the right hands is better than the gold plated Korth revolver in the wrong ones.
Would not be surprised in the least that the "homemade" black powder rifles of your friend might be sold in the hopefully distant future as genuine [insert his name] artisan made firearms as collectibles. I suspect that he has had some quiet offers to buy his from time to time as well. Those made the old way by the Blacksmith's Shop in Colonial Williamsburg are expensive because of the time and artistry in making them and I'd imagine your friend's involved similar time and trouble.