QUOTE (amafrank @ Jan 28 2006, 06:53 PM) |
AF, Bowers didn't sound to me like he was scared of Trast. He sounded proud of his guns and told me the reason he started the project was because the westies were so bad. I think the fact he made them pissed off trast and maybe Trast helped nudge ATF into disallowing the finished receivers that weren't assembled. Frank |
Thank you for the first hand account of Bowers run in with Trast. Hey, I am the last one to fault him for not taking the whole shebang to court. I was just rhapsodizing on what might have been. I do applaud him for making a superior product and I think you are on to something about collusion between Trast and ATF about disqualifying those bare receivers.
Had Trast encountered any competition back in the mid 1970's, he would have either ceased production of his replica, or been forced to live up to the name stamped on their receivers. The name they coerced others into believing was their exclusive property.
Having been to the West Hurley "factory" back in late 1970's, I doubt if Trast had the coin to actually do anything but acquiesce to an out of court settlement allowing, at the least, a franchise to interested manufacturers.