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5/20/02
Bowen’s Book
Details the Making of a Custom Revolver Review by Jim Taylor
Bowen Classic Arms has been in the custom revolver business for over 20 years and in that time has garnered the reputation for fine quality work and attention to detail. That Hamilton Bowen’s venture into writing a book would contain those very same qualities is not a surprise to those who know him. The Custom Revolver is a large volume dealing in exact detail with what goes into the making of a custom revolver. Covering both Single Action and Double Action revolvers, the book opens with a chapter devoted to the re-creation of Elmer Keith’s famous #5 sixgun. By the time you finish that first chapter you are beginning to get the idea that there is more that goes into a 2uality custom sixgun than meets the eye. And you begin to understand the cost involved in creating a custom revolver. The book consists of: 10 chapters; a Forward; an Afterward; a Glossary; a list of Sources & Services, and an Index. Chapter 6 consists of 18 color plates of some of the finest custom revolvers in existence. Throughout the entire book there are numerous black and white photographs illustrating the author’s point in that particular chapter. Chapters are devoted to Basic Mechanical Detailing, Cylinders, Grips, Finishing, Cartridges, with some chapters sharing in sights and details concerning Barrels, Frames, and Sights. All are very detailed as to the "how" and "why" of each part of the revolver. Chapter 10 deals with various custom guns that are "Off The Beaten Path" …to borrow the chapter title. This section of the book deals with custom work that is not found on every custom gun as well as detailing some of the unusual guns that have been built over the years. Bowen writes in much the same manner as he talks, with a dry ascorbic wit that reminds me of Mark Twain’s writings. It makes the book very readable, even in the parts that might otherwise be very technical. For instance, when writing about a certain manufacturer who went through some quality control problems, Bowen described the finishing done to the guns at that time as the product of what appeared to be "…the handiwork of drunken visitors from a bumper chroming shop." By the time you finish this book you will have a complete look at what goes into a first-class custom sixgun…one that not only looks very good, but one that is put together correctly and that shoots very well. I do not believe that there is another book on the market that details the building of a custom revolver in the manner that this book does. Being written as it is by someone who is qualified to speak to the subject by his years as a Master at this trade makes the insights provided in this book that much more valuable. It is a worthy addition to every library. The New Gun Week
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