ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, November 26, 1996 TAG: 9611260117
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ST. PAUL
SOURCE: P. KEVIN MAYS BRISTOL HERALD-COURIER
``SHOTGUN'' FRED BRANHAM makes specialty shotguns for shooting matches in his shop near St. Paul.
Every year, hundreds of Mountain Empire residents enter shooting matches in hopes of winning that special holiday turkey or ham. Those who are serious about winning consult ``Shotgun'' Fred Branham.
For 15 years, Branham has made specialty shotguns for the shooting matches in his shop on the bank of the Clinch River near St. Paul.
Some matches have grown competitive and offer thousands of dollars in prize money. Branham said participants take the matches seriously.
``Every hollow's got one now and now they're high tech, so you do whatever you can to get an edge,'' Branham said.
Branham, an employee of Bristol Compressors, works with shotguns as a hobby. His work has attracted customers from throughout the Southeast, people who have heard both about his precise work and modest prices.
``I won't build you a gun that I wouldn't have,'' Branham said.
Branham said he learned that lesson from his father several years ago. His father, a machinist by trade, told him if he was going to do something, to make sure he did it right the first time.
Branham says the lesson has stayed with him through his tenure in the Army, working at a tool and die shop in Detroit, and coaching and umpiring Little League baseball closer to home.
Branham coached Little League for about 30 years and umpired for a number of years. His umpiring feats include work in the Tennessee State Senior League Tournament and in the Junior League World Series.
Branham said he loved his coaching and umpiring days. But as demand for his services in the gun business increased, he decided to give up baseball.
``If I can't give 100 percent to a kid, then I'm not going to do it,'' Branham said.
Branham said every gun has its own characteristics and has to be treated differently.
Demand for Branham's work has grown so much over the past 15 years that he decided to turn it into a business, and he joined the Business Start program administered by People Inc.
The program enabled Branham to borrow money to purchase equipment, and that helped him meet his customers' demands.
Branham says he hopes to keep the business going because he expects to retire from his regular job within about five years.
Family members also are becoming involved. Branham says he's now getting help from his grandson, Cassidy Helton, who will turn 6 in February.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: n AP Fred Branham holds an early 20th-century shotgun heby CNBrebuilt for his grandson in the shop where he works his magic.