Will Current Custom Gunsmiths Ever Enjoy the Status of Armand Swenson?

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SharpsDressedMan

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Few gunsmiths have the renown of Armand Swenson, whose guns today command, probably, the highest of prices for even the most used guns. Will other smiths find fame, or will Swenson hold the title, as he was among the most recognized of the "first" craftsmen? Companies like Heirloom Precision, for instance, command high prices to start, but do they hold that value as secondhand guns?
 
Within certain circles I know some hold their value quite well.

In competition for example Brazos Custom & Cheely Custom are well coveted (along with several other major shops).

Overall though, aside from some very specialized applications, I think the age of custom gunsmiths is kinda waning. Factories are making more variety these days. Rather than having one base model of gun that gets customized they make them in a ton of variations to suit whatever taste you have.

Modern manufacturing is also making many things that were once custom propositions completely drop-in. IE, Apex Tactical Specialties has a ton of M&P parts and such that do great things but just drop in and can be installed by the owner at home.
 
As with most artwork it doesn't become extremely valuable until the artest dies.
IMHO the work of Doug Turnbull is as good of artwork as any.
 
How many folks, who aren't into custom guns of a certain age, know who Swenson was?

How many folks today know who Hamilton Bowen is?

I think the resale market for custom guns will always belong to the few who know or remember and appreciate. A small, but very enthusiastic market.
 
How many folks, who aren't into custom guns of a certain age, know who Swenson was?
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Yep carry any high end custom around a gunshow and see the reactions you get when you give them a 5K price tag.
 
I would say that the value of Richard Heine 1911s will rival those of Swenson...because he has closed his list forever. He has enough work to last him until he is 70

The thing that set Swenson and his contemporaries apart was that they made all their custom parts...because there weren't aftermarket parts available. There are still a couple of pistolsmiths who can do this...it is quite rare to find 1911 pistolsmiths who also weld anymore. But they aren't as well known, because of all the semi-custom work on the market.

The folks that immediately come to mind who's work is so distinctive that you'd recognize it on sight are:
Stan Chen - front strap treatment
Ned Christensen - rear sights and grip treatments
Bruce Gray - Hardtail grip safety
 
I think post #3 nailed it. There are a few gunsmiths out there today who turn out some positively amazing work. But they're still doing it. When they retire, die or come up with that "One Thing" that sets them WAAAAY ahead of the field, they'll be as famous as Swenson.

The names mentioned, Turnbull, Bowen, Brazos Custom, are all first rate. They'll demand Swenson-like prices when they're no longer turning out work.
 
Yes, there will always be smiths that can "Dream the Dream".. Behlert, Rogers, Chen, Yost, Clark (Sr.). Chambers, ETC. ETC.
 
Probably not until they pass away,,,

When Jerry Miculek gives up the ghost,,,
Any gun with his fingerprint on it will dramatically increase in price.

JMHO

Aarond

.
 
Ownership of a gun by a particularly famous gun handler or person is different. If a gun was owned by Elmer Keith, John Wayne, Tom Selleck, or some other notable gun handler, the value is obviously increased, and the gun collectible, but a gun MADE by a highly regarded gunsmith is an entirely different thing. They are in a class by themselves.
 
I think Yost is the best known, so he might. Austin Behlert custom's for reason's unknown to me can be had for far less money then what they are worth.
 
As already mentioned, since only about 0.65% of shooters ever heard of Swenson. So yes, I'm sure many of todays 'smiths will reach the same level of fame.
 
Only if they break new ground like Armand did. Pretty much most of the custom smiths today are all doing the same work with manufactured parts. Armand "made" parts with welding and files and stones. There was no Wilson Combat back then.
 
All the top tier smiths I know make parts.

Chen - Mag Well and machining skills; he is currently making his own frames and setting up to make all the parts for his work
Christensen - Several completely different Rear sights
Gray - is known for his welding and filing; best exemplified by his compensated long slide H&K P7M13
 
Will Current Custom Gunsmiths Ever Enjoy the Status of Armand Swenson?
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STATUS means a lot of things to a lot of different people. I wonder if you're not really asking about superior technical competence or craftsmanship rather than status, as status (renown) doesn't always go to the most deserving.

If you're not a big 1911 fan, for example, you've probably never heard of Armand Swenson. And, if you're not into SIGs, you've probably never heard of Bruce Gray (who made his name before he started focusing on SIGs.)

There may be other equally gifted gunsmiths out there doing great work... but it's hard to learn of them if the dice didn't roll just right for them, or they weren't skilled in "SELLING" their products.

The world doesn't always beat a path to house where they build a better mousetrap...


.
 
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Brother Dave! Haven't heard of him (or one of his recordings) for years!!

"She was alright, 'til we turned her head around..." (referring to a girl involved in a motorcycle accident who had been wearing her boyfriend's jacket so that the opening was on the back...)​
 
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