|
|
A quote by St Francis of Assisi said it well when he stated; “He who works with his hands is a laborer. He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman. He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist. ”
Engraving may seem incompatible with a rifle that is used for hunting or target shooting. On the contrary, the decorative display of engraved steel defines our personal relationship with our customers and the sport. Engraving transforms a beautiful custom built, sharps rifle to a gorgeous piece of art that can become a treasured heirloom which can be passed on to the next generation. The beautiful touch of engraving adds elegance and distinction to one’s personal investment.
“...an invaluable asset to our company—and anyone Introducing the artist behind Shiloh’s engraving, Suzi Bradley. She was born on August 13th, 1953 in Kansas City Missouri. Suzi graduated from Kent State University in 1975. In 1976 she joined the U.S. Air Force to earn the G.I. bill, with the goal of earning her Masters degree. After four years of service she chose to re-up and went onto Officer Training School where she became a 2nd Lieutenant and earned her Masters degree in Logistics. During her twenty-year enlistment she spent a majority of her time as a deployment planning officer, working mainly with the B52 and F4 squadrons. Through this busy time of Suzi’s life, she found the time to raise two children with her husband Paul of 19 years.
Suzi’s interest in engraving was set in motion by an article in the American Rifleman that talked about Rachel Wells, a well-known rifle engraver. Knowing that her time for retiring was nearing, that she had a love for guns and hunting, and the fact she had a Bachelors degree in fine Art led her to pursue her interest in the art of engraving. Suzi also knew that she would have the full support of her husband Paul, who is an avid hunter and gun lover. After long discussions she made the initial plunge and began studying with Rachel Wells in 1993 while stationed on her last assignment in Arizona.
Suzi came to Shiloh in 1999, and Kirk provided her with a practice 1874 lock plate. The stress she was feeling about showing her work to a Company that has been building rifles for 30 years was intimidating for her. She remembers Kirk stating “girls can’t engrave” and then left her standing at the counter with the lock plate. Eight months passed before she was able to bring the results of her work back to Kirk. He looked it over with a discerning eye and found it met our criteria. Kirk laughed and officially welcomed her aboard as our full time engraver.
Suzi continues to learn and educate herself in the art of engraving. She has been chosen out of hundreds of applicants, to study with Winston Churchill in the 2005 Grand Masters Program in August 2005. We salute her as a laborer, a craftsman and an artist . Her incredible work, along with her love for fine firearms and hunting make her an invaluable asset to our company—and to anyone fortunate enough to own a Shiloh engraved by Suzi Bradley.
|
Upon
her retirement from the Air Force in 1996 she continued her engraving
education studying under John Barraclough, Tim George, and Eric Gold in
the master engraver classes located in Trinidad Colorado. She and Paul
moved to their home in Livingston Montana and she started putting her
skills to work. At that time she worked to gain experience doing some
minor engraving such as knives and 22 caliber rifles.
Engraving
compliments the fine craftsmanship of a Shiloh Rifle. All the engraving
done by Suzi is truly hand engraved. Suzi can design any pattern of
engraving that you desire. It is drawn on the guns and then hand
engraved. Each rifle engraved is unique, as no two rifles will be
identical. She will design a custom pattern for the customer or you can
choose from a standard pattern book. She has designed everything from
traditional animals found on the Sharps, to turtles, family crests,
ranch brands and more. Wherever your artistic mind takes you, it can be
engraved on your rifle.