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Below, responses from a few happy campers (customers). . .

Also; some happy notes from the Colt Forum

http://www.coltforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21650

Dave, I finally was able to shoot the Schofield in a CAS match last Saturday. It shoots smooth and accurate. You did a great job of tuning it up. I will refer you to all my gun toting buddies.

Thanks again, Happy Trails; Lee Bumpas (aka) Natty Bumpo #23808

Dave Jr-  Got the Registered Magnum - it looks great. This project could not have turned out better - I was real happy with the gunsmithing work (part of it was mine- the hard part was SDM Fabricating) but your refinish just topped it off. I would expect a gun article on this pistol - possibly by my friend Ken who has a weakness for Reg Mags. If so I will contact you for what contact info you want in the article. Thanx again - the pistol turned out superb.

Cheers, Larry Vickers

P.S. - check out my website www.vickerstactical.com

Dave, I have received the two Merwins you worked on for me and I am exceedingly well pleased with them. May I express my compliments for your outstanding work on returning these Merwins to such wonderful condition. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! I knew I could count on you for great work, but I had no idea just how fantastic these old Merwins could look. They are both indeed "stars" of my Merwin collection! The ivory grips really set them off to perfection. I hope that you will be willing to do some more work on some of my other items in the future. This may seem superfluous, but if you ever need another reference, count on me.

Best regards,   Dale D. Barnhart

Hi, Dave: You must have switched pistols! Mine was a piece of junk and the one I just received is a mint, vintage Colt. Seriously, I’m amazed you could do as much with my folly. When the snow goes away, I’m looking forward to shooting it—but I probably won’t be able to do as well as your test target. Chuck Hedtke

Dave, I would like to let you know that I was very pleased with the work that you and David Jr. put into my Registered Magnum.  The craftsmanship is both immediately and subtlety noticeable. This was the type of results that I was expecting. I am one happy camper! Thank you for all your efforts and patience with this project. Jeff Foster

Dave (Jr), The shotgun and (German WW2) K43 arrived in the mail in first class shape.  I am very pleased with your quality of workmanship. As we said earlier, the guns mean something to our family because of who used them and I appreciate you taking on this project. I was just lucky to find out about you and your expert knowledge. Charlie Watson

Hi David, The Mk 1 Webley arrived in the mail yesterday. My hat really comes off to you whenever I see the amazingly expert work you put into recovering this (rear of the top-strap blown off from an overload, frame twisted and bent) from a basket case to highly respectable gun! Thanks again for the EXCELLENT work you put into this - you are undoubtely the best Gunsmith I've met and that's out of quite a few!

With best regards, Jon Dewis

Dave (Jr), the (restored 1955 Target and 1956 .44 Magnum) came in today and I couldn't be more pleased. Thanks for restoring these old gals for me. You guys did a remarkable job on the one that was chrome plated. Chuck O.

Dear Dave:  I have recived my "new" S/W.  I am very happy with your work! Yours John Moran

Dave Jr, the 4 incher (restored 1950's pre-Model 29) came today. It looks really nice. It was a mess when you got it I remember. The stocks look really nice too. Thanks for the really professional work you've done on these guns. I can't wait to see the nickel 5" gun. That's really the pride and joy of my Model 29 collection. Chuck O.

David, Thanks a bunch for the great job on this (old Stevens .22) and the other four guns. I appreciate your taking on these projects. My father and father-in-law would be proud. Thanks again, Charlie Watson

Dave(s); the quality of your work is superb! Never seen better. Thank you! George Menke

Dave,   The gun (44-40 Colt Bisley) arrived today.  It looks, sounds and functions great!  Thank you for doing such a wonderful job.  Your prompt, professional, expert service was greatly appreciated.   God bless.   -Brons

Dave, I received my gun (.32 Safety-2nd Model) today. Very nice work. Thank you very much. Fred D.

Dave (or should I say Daves), great job on this one! The vintage Lyman 48 installation and cleaning up of the gas port are super. It is nice having a set of operable hook sling swivels also. I will use them with a newer (but not brand new) sling when I take this one out. I like the aged mill plug in the barrel boss. I don't know if it is "period correct, " but it is staying for now. This (Winchester) Model 54 goes real well in appearance and function with a vintage Model 94 rifle that I have. It has a tang sight and a barrel slot plug. These are my kinds of rifles! Thanks for the artisanship, as usual. Terry F.

David, The (S&W) Russian arrived today. Thank you. You are truly an excellent gunsmith and a gentlemen. I must apologize for my last phone call when I became impatient. Thank you again, it was worth the wait. Rich J.

Hi Dave, Picked up the Schofield yesterday and I am so pleased with the work you did. The action is perfect and it looks so much better. So thank you very much for excellent work. Petter R.

Dave: I have been traveling on business a lot since receiving my Merwin back from you, but today I shot it. . . .the revolver funtioned flawlessly and that is what I consider success.  Thank you for the fine repair. Jim R.

Dave - just got back on leave and looked over the (S&W) Russian. Very nice work and well worth the wait. Thanks again and cheers: Mike P.

Hi, Dave – My  S & W  Russian model  arrived yesterday afternoon and I am quite pleased with the restoration and repair.  You did a wonderful job. Again, thanks for your excellent work. Roger W

7/29/08, E-mail to Dave Jr., re; an S&W Registered Magnum overhaul: Wow!  Words fail me – it looks great!  In your dad’s estimate of work a year ago, he commented something like “we can’t bring it back 100%, but it will look very good.”  Sure looks 100% to me! Thanks very much! I’ll work up a post on this when I get back . . .for other S&W Forum members to enjoy! A. Brown

(and in a PS: . .on the KC RM that you restored for me so nicely and sent out to me; You fellas do great work!  Thanks again for the lovely restoration!)

David Wow! As much as I liked the idea of partially rehabilitating the Old Dog, I sure am glad I proceeded with the Russian.  With the work you did on it before and now the rebluing it is absolutely beautiful. Thank you for a superlative job. It exceeds my expectations. The Russian is stitting on a table in front of me and I am just sitting here looking at it. RAS

David Jr, Received my 38/44 this afternoon. Absolutely spectacular!! Definitely worth the wait. Now....(to) Shoot or Don't Shoot?? Thank you and son so very much. Bill S.

Dave , received the S&W today and looks great , feels great , works great. I doubt I will shot it but one nice show piece. Now to find some 44 Russian ammo to lay next to pistol. Wayne R.

Dear David (Jr.), just returned home from the east coast and had a chance to shoot the .44. Wow! I couldn't be more pleased. Thank you so much for the great service. best wishes, John G.

Hi David, Just picked-up my gun (1st Model S&W Schofield.) You did a great job. Thanks for you help and again the gun looks great. Ron M.

Thanks, Dave! You did a beautiful job on the old gun. The way you thinned out the new finish makes it look as if it hadn’t been through what it had and I can hardly wait to show it to the great grandson of the original owner I got it from. I think we’re going to put it in a wall hung case, with holster, and provenance. Best regards, Chuck H.

(for Dave Jr., re: an extra-rusty 1st week of production Chief's Special) ) WOW !!!!!  got the gun today --  you are a true genius and an artist   ---  Thank You Paul P.

Hi Dave, Received the Schofield yesterday. Again you did an outstanding job, the action feels like NIB. Petter R.

Good afternoon, Dave (Jr) The gun arrived safe and sound this afternoon. Fantastic job of packing and shipping. Finish is beautiful. (S&W 1950 Target .44 finish rewfurbishment) Best, Don W.

Dear Dave (Jr), I just got home and what a surprise I got, this gun looks awesome. I could not be happier. Thank you so much, You and your son do amazing work, Thank you so much. I can't wait until I find another smith for you to work on. (S&W 1950's K-22 finish rewfurbishment) Thanks again George J.

Dave: Just to let you know the gun just arrived. It looks great. As you said it looks just like it came from the factory.  Brian M.

Hello David! Well I just finished one of the worst 5 day stretches of my life!  What a reward was waiting for me at the end today when I opened the box with the Colt in it (Colt SAA refurbished from a badly refinished junker.) WOW! You are a magician! The gun is beautiful! Your work from top to bottom, inside and out is flawless. Thank you so much. Bob T.

Good Evening Dave!   The Krag arrived today in fine shape.  It is BEAUTIFUL.  VERY nice work. Just as I had hoped. I bought some .30-40 Krag ammo, but it is almost too nice to shoot.  I am expecting to hear Teddy R. say "Bully" at any moment, LOL!   Thanks again.  GREAT work and well worth the wait. Bill. M.

Hey Dave,  I got my Colt (SAA) back yesterday and I am very happy with it! You folks do great work! Thank you, Mark C.

 

Hi Dave (Jr), I received the S&W 1905 32-20 revolver back yesterday and most pleased with thefinish and obvious close attention to detail in the action work you and your son had accomplished on it.  It looks like a well cared for period piece which look I was hoping to restore it to. Allen P.

Dave Jr, I picked up my Ruger S/S this morning. It is spectacular! Better than new. Great work, guys. Mike P.

Dear Dave and Dave Jr.   Just a quick note to let you know that our little Marlin arrived in yesterday's mail. It came out of the box and all of the careful wrappings in fine shape, and Jan and I are both very pleased with the restoration. Honestly, I am not sure it has looked that good and worked that well in many, many years. Thank you for the care and craftsmanship that you put into the project. It was well worth the wait!   Warmest regards, Dave S 

Dear Dave: The Colt 1878 that you repaired and refinished arrived on Saturday. Nice tight action again, and those deep luxuriant blues! Wow! I had planned to used it as a 'shooter', but for now will just keep it well oiled and make a nice case to keep it in. Thanks. Eugene B.

Dave...You did a remarkable job on my Colt 1878 DA .45 and I just wanted to say thanks. The double action pull is especially nice and smooth! Put a few cylinders full through her this morning and everything worked as it should, almost like a new gun. The quick turnaround time was unbelievable, and the work was worth every cent. In the future, you'll be my first stop for gunsmithing the old-timers that keep finding their way to my house. Mike H.

More from Mike H. posted on the Colt Forum 7/29/09; http://www.coltforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21650

there've been so many horror stories posted here recently i thought i'd write in with a positive one. about three weeks ago, i sent my 1878 frontier da .45 off to gunsmith david chicoine. the old sixgun suddenly wouldn't hold at full cock, and i wasn't interested in keeping it as a da only. the gun had been messed with previously, it seems, and the safety & half cock notches had been removed for some reason. other rather unique "improvements" had been performed, too complicated to explain in detail here. he emailed me about what he would do to fix it, and how much the work would cost. in less than 20 days i recieved the gun, along with a bag of parts he had replaced with correct vintage colt parts scrounged from various sources. the big da functions now like a new gun. double action pull is as smooth and light as a modern revolver. it wasn't cheap, but it was worth every penny. chicoine specializes in 19th century colts, smith & wessons, merwin & hulberts etc. he's been in business for many years and knows his stuff.

Another post, next day from F.L.:

I had a very similar experience with Mr. David Chicoine. I just got my 1st Generation Colt SAA today from Mr. Chicoine. He did a repair on the base pin and trigger. The revolver is now in great condition. Dave and his son Dave Jr. are true artists. I was lucky enough to get to see some of his work in person, absolutely beautiful. I was so happy with his work I bought a 3rd Generation Colt SAA from him. I would trust these guys with any firearm I have. Check out his website to see some of his work. www.oldwestgunsmith.com

Also from the Colt forum, from Jim H. posted 7/31/09

I just got back an 1878 that I had sent David Chicoine for a rebuild. This was an 1878 Frontier Six Shooter with 4 3/4 barrel that I had bought a number of years ago and was in bad shape. The revolver action is now like a new gun. I definitely recommend him for work on 1878's. Jim H.

It (S&W .44 Triplelock) arrived today in good order & thank you very much. Will refer you to my gun friends & appreciate your timely repair job. Thx to S & W for recommending you, too. Regards, John F., S & W Collectors Assn. member

I saw your name mentioned on the S&W forum. When, shortly afterward, I had a chance to purchase a S&W 32 New Departure that had been to your establishment, I jumped at the chance. Great work, and a great shooter. If word-of-mouth advertising helps, or not, it was a fine job, and I've been telling others. Saw your samples pages; you are a real craftsman.  PR

Recieved my pistol today. You and I know it was a long time coming, but by the looks of it, it was well worth it. Thank You. Bob E.

Hi Dave:  Got the gun and it is beautiful. (S&W Model One-1st Issue) Thank you so much.  It was worth the wait. Rick K. (California)

Dave, I picked up the revolver (S&W pre-war K-22 Outdoorsman) on Thursday and was stunned when I finally had a chance to wipe it down and take a look: just gorgeous.  Your web photos - though very crisp - simply don't do justice to the work.  I was particularly pleased that your repair of the push off problem still left me with a very sweet, light & crisp trigger break.  Kudos to your son for the incredibly fine refinishing (dings/pits gone but lettering/marks intact), bluing & case color work.  I'm very, very pleased. . .Thanks,  John S. (Maine)

Dave, The S&W 32 arrived today and I took it to the range to fire test it. It works perfectly as it should. You have brought new life into this firearm and I thank you for the efforts you put into this to get it right.. Dennis E.

Hi Dave, Thank you for your efforts having it sent express and the detailed postal tracking, much appreciated. The pistol arrived this afternoon.  You have done a magnificant job I am very pleased with it.  Restored to what it should be after the abuse it had.  I must admit if I had examined it first I would never have purchased it, but I'm glad I got you to restore it.  After playing with it for a while (the Merwin action fascinates me) mounted it on the wall along with the rest off my collection. Thank you very much indeed for your efforts, a first class piece of restoration.   Take care, Charles (Scotland)

Hi Dave,   I received my gun (engraved S&W Model 1) yesterday and it is simply perfect Thank you so much for such a proffesional job. I will sing praises to my friends and recomed you to them.   Many thanks. Tom L.

The Colt (SAA) arrived today.  What a beautiful job!  Thanks again for all of your support and advice.  This is exactly what I was looking for.  I always intended it to be a shooter but you made it so darned pretty that I may just have to admire it for a week or two <grin>.  I could not be more pleased with the grain you selected or with the fit and finish of the walnut grips.  Again, this is exactly what I had in mind.   Best regards and sincere appreciation, Chuck E. (Texas)

Dave, Jr. Sorry to be slow thanking you for your work on my old S&W revolver.  It took me a little while to get out to the range and try it out, but I finally made it and was very happy with how you fixed it.  It performed very well.  I'm keeping it restricted to lower pressure loads and it is a joy to shoot, as the weight makes it feel like you're shooting a .22. Again, thanks for your very professional work. Larry R.