Here is an in-depth look at what goes into creating some of the world's finest custom shotguns. One of the top custom gunmakers in the United States invites you into his shop, giving you a feel for the craftsmanship and detail that goes into a truly great shotgun. If you love custom shotguns, this book shows you what goes into their creation. It's a must for every collector's bookshelf.
Steven Dodd Hughes, Gunmaker
www.finegunmaking.com
Steven Dodd Hughes entered the gunsmithing program at Trinidad State College, Trinidad, CO, in 1975. Since that time he has dedicated his career to creating custom rifles and shotguns. He was first employed by Green River Forge, then of Springfield, OR, building semi-custom muzzleloaders. In 1980 Hughes started his own shop and continued making muzzleloading rifles and fowling pieces for the following decade.
At his client's request in 1989, he began creating custom breech loading double shotguns and traditional single-shot rifles. Hughes currently completes just a few custom single-shot, lever action rifles or double shotguns per year at his workshop in Livingston, MT. SDH custom guns are well known in the trade particularly for the wide variety of styles and the technical excellence of the work. All guns and rifles are fully functional. His clients are about 50% collectors, the other half being sophisticated shooters and hunters.
Hughes' first magazine article was published in Muzzle Blasts in 1986. Since that time his articles about, and photographs of custom guns and gunmaking have appeared in most American firearms periodicals, and several abroad. He is currently a staff writer for Shooting Sportsman Magazine penning the popular Fine Gunmaking column. His column Custom Shop is one of the most popular in Sports Afield Magazine. His cover photography often appears in national magazines along with feature articles. He has scores of magazine articles and a couple of dozen book and magazine cover photos to his credit.
In 1985 Hughes created and compiled a set of patterns for authentic leather accouterments that was published as a booklet by the Tandy Leather Company. Krause Publications published his first book, Fine Gunmaking: Double Shotguns in 1998. Fandango Press of Livingston, Montana published Hughes' second book, Custom Rifles in Black & White in 1999. Shooting Sportsman Press released Double Guns and Custom Gunsmithing his most recent hardcover book, in 2007.
In June 2002, at Senator Max Baucus' request, Hughes testified before the Senate Finance Committee in Washington, D.C. on a proposed excise tax exemption for custom gunmakers that later became law. The National Rifle Association was instrumental in this accomplishment.
Hughes' custom guns have been shown at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the Houston Museum of Fine Art and are included in the 2003 museum publication Three Centuries of Tradition, the Renaissance of Custom Sporting Arms in America. He displays at one commercial show per year. He has been a member of the American Custom Gunmakers Guild since 1985 and has served two terms on its Board of Directors.
Hughes dropped out of High School at age sixteen.
For more info on custom guns and custom gunmaking please see www.finegunmaking.com
