Minature Arms Society

JJ Roberts

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MINIATURE ARMS SOCIETY

Visted the Maryland Gun Collector's Antique Gun Show last week-end.
and stopped by the table of the Miniature Arms Society. Met and talked with
Bob McGinnis. Bob showed me some miniature guns he made and collected from
others over the years, and what really caught my attention was the miniature engraving
tools on display. He supplied me with pictures so that you could see them also.
Their web site is: www.miniaturearms.org
 

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Crossbolt

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Interesting.
Can anyone explain any functional advantage of miniaturizing engraving tools?
The cutting tip is the same size regardless.
I don't see many in general, mostly disadvantages.
I can see it for round bottom cuts and chisels in tight spaces but otherwise any advantages for typical V type gravers? .. well ... OK . one more. .. you don't have much sharpening time required :)
Admittedly function probably isn't the point here but it raises the question.
Jeremy
 

DakotaDocMartin

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Interesting.
Can anyone explain any functional advantage of miniaturizing engraving tools?
The cutting tip is the same size regardless.
I don't see many in general, mostly disadvantages.
I can see it for round bottom cuts and chisels in tight spaces but otherwise any advantages for typical V type gravers? .. well ... OK . one more. .. you don't have much sharpening time required :)
Admittedly function probably isn't the point here but it raises the question.
Jeremy

The same use as miniature firearms. They aren't for using, they are for collecting and looking at. (SMDH!)
 

horologist

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Bob and Alice are great people and I always enjoy discussing projects with Bob. As Doc says they are mostly for collecting but Bob has found the machinist vise to be a useful tool. I can see the appeal in making the miniatures, interesting challenges, low cost on raw materials, and ideal if you only have a small space for your shop. However, when I look at his miniature flintlock rifle I am glad the one I am making is full size and I look forward to shooting it one of these decades...

I don't know why I should be surprised that forum members would be at the show, perhaps next year we can all get together for a lunchtime meeting or some such thing. We bring in sandwiches from Baltimore Coffee & Tea as the concession stand is pretty dreadful.

Troy
 

Crossbolt

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The same use as miniature firearms. They aren't for using, they are for collecting and looking at. (SMDH!)

Yes, of course, I realize like most of my posts it sounds like drivel but I thought there might be something odd I was missing.
I'm biased to thinking of miniatures from the engineering perspective as fully functional like King George the V's miniature Purdeys that he reportedly shot insects with. Silly me :)

Here's some links for anyone who wishes to be further amused:

http://www.purdey.com/heritage/bicentenary/
http://gourmetsportsman.blogspot.com/2013/01/mini-purdey-of-king-george-v.html

cheers

Jeremy
 

Southern Custom

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It was a photo of a miniature 1911 on Sam's page that got me interested in gun engraving in the first place. My first FEGA convention was at the Beinfeld show and there I stumbled across a massive collection of miniature arms. I got stuck there for what seems like hours. As a jeweler, engraver, gun fan and guy who just likes making stuff, miniature arms have it all. I swore when I retire I'd take up the art and build tiny flintlocks.
 

DKanger

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I'm biased to thinking of miniatures from the engineering perspective as fully functional like King George the V's miniature Purdeys that he reportedly shot insects with
I think it's Paul Hamler who makes fully functional, carved and engraved, miniature flintlock rifles, as well as tools and other stuff. Wasn't there a video of him posted here a while back?

Yup...it's here. https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=paul+hamler
 

JJ Roberts

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Mr.McGinnis did have a miniature flintlock rifle on display by Paul Hamler with other miniature gun that he collected and made,what got my attention was the miniature engraving tools. J.J.
 
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