Burnt Brass and the Pistonhead Army: Superb Sculptures for Shooters

Some weeks ago, I saw a picture of some impressive artwork made with cartridge cases. I shared it on my Facebook page and went on about my business. But it kept turning up, so I looked a little deeper.

Turns out, the guy who created it also makes a bunch of other metal art as well, much of it with a military, guns-a-blazin’ theme. He calls himself Tigger (as in TIG welding), and he’s clearly good at what he does.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, but in this case it may be more than that. Anyhow, here are some things he has made from old cartridge cases.

Some pen bodies made of 308 brass, and a mockup of a 308 pen.

50 BMG art. He adds brass with a tig welder, some pieces take 2 weeks to make.

He also makes larger sculptures of everyday hardware objects, many of which he calls his Pistonhead Army.

Tigger says "His boots and blue jeans are made from old Co2 cartridges, body made from scrapped grade 8 hardware, head is a used chainsaw piston." — Tigger says “His boots and blue jeans are made from old Co2 cartridges, body made from scrapped grade 8 hardware, head is a used chainsaw piston.”

He says this is his most popular piece. It's easy to see why! — He says this is his most popular piece. It’s easy to see why!

Tigger says: "Using every part of a replacement Husqvarna engine. Piston, crankshaft, connecting rod and main bearings." — Tigger says: “Using every part of a replacement Husqvarna engine. Piston, crankshaft, connecting rod and main bearings.”

He has much more on his Facebook page and website. What superb workmanship!

Expect to wait for your piece if you don’t buy something he’s already completed. He has spent as long as two weeks on one 50 BMG piece.

(All images used in this post belong to Tigger Welding.)

Russ Chastain

Editor & Contributing Writer Russ Chastain is a lifelong hunter and shooter who has spent his life learning about hunting, shooting, guns, ammunition, gunsmithing, reloading, and bullet casting. He started toting his own gun in the woods at age nine and he's pursued deer with rifles since 1982, so his hunting knowledge has been growing for more than three and a half decades. His desire and ability to share this knowledge with others has also grown, and Russ has been professionally writing and editing original hunting & shooting content since 1998. Russ Chastain has a passion for sharing accurate, honest, interesting hunting & shooting knowledge and stories with people of all skill levels.