I didn't get a look back at this til just now. I appreciate everyone's comments. What can I say, my dummy guns get built just like my live guns, all steel, real riveted assembly, all the same care and detailing. And yes, they are just as much work as a live gun, in some ways even more. There are custom pieces I have to make for these, namely a trigger mounting and the dummy bolt piece. Now to answer a couple of questions.
The RSP is a custom made dummy plate, 1/2" thick, and there are no internal components inside. ATF always tells me I can't do that, though I know there are other dummy builders out there who say they have approval letters for theirs. I was told not to submit a dummy for a letter, they don't want to bother. This one does have a sliding, sprung block for the "bolt" but it's just 3/8" thick with a frame channel to run in. It was sort of a development model for that feature, and it works well enough for now. You can pull it back, let go and it goes forward with a "clang."
The customer is private, not a museum, although I do have 4-5 museums with my work in them now, some dummies and some live semis. Just got a very nice review from one museum customer on a 1919A6 I did for them, and am doing a live 1917A1 next and then an A4 after. I am honored to have gotten introductions to these customers, from good friends in the hobby or industry.
I have had several components made specifically for the dummy line, so I don't have to waste good bottom plates, trunnions, side plates, etc. So this will be an ongoing part of my business, so long as I have customers wanting them. Now if anyone knows of someone looking for a 1919A4 dummy gun, I have one finished and on the shelf, ready to ship, at $1,600 plus shipping.
