Joe Scott Belt Knife and Nate McKenzie Flint Pistol

The best thing in the Longrifle Culture is the people. I must admit I got into history and living history through enjoyment of the material culture of the 18 and 19th Centuries. Later I found that folks could replicate the items in a artistic way; I fell in love with the new-old “stuff.” Then I got to know the people who created the items. Again, it is the people who make the black powder arts special.

Anyway, two of the folks I have gotten to know a bit are Nate McKenzie (gun builder and horner) and Joe Scott (bladesmith and Journeyman horner) and caught up with them at Dixon’s Gunmakers Fair in Kempton, Pennsylvania. Both have helped fuel my enjoyment of the good stuff.

Mr.Scott is a member of the Honourable Comapny of Horners and I admired an 18th Century, bone handled belt knife on his table at our Fort Roberdeau meeting earlier this year. I got busy and did not buy it. I kicked myself for months until Dixon’s. He still had the knife and I bought it. I am still working on my kit and this knife fit the bill exactly.

Now about my new pistol. I really like cobbled together Colonial American guns. Our resourceful ancestors did not waste a thing and many of their working firearms were made-up of disparate pieces. I have known Nate McKenzie for a few years and I have threatened to have him make such a flint pistol. I wanted a pistol with a strap guard, brass barrel on a maple stock. The Dale Johnson flintlock (by Jim Chambers) sparks like crazy and I must say Nate’s trigger breaks better than my Ruger single action. The knife and pistol will soon be belted together.

If you see Nate McKenzie or Joe Scott at a show, stop and say hello to them. Both are first class artisans and very nice people.

Best regards,
Rick Sheets

See Joe Scott’s contact information by clicking here.

See Nate McKenzie’s contact information by clicking here.

Old Salem, NC a haven for old-time gunsmithing and Moravian History

My girlfriend, Pam, and I went to Old Salem for a fun day In September. It was a beautiful day with low humidity for the Piedmont, which is always welcome. We hit the MESDA (Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts) and various artisan and craftsman venues offered there.

As a fan of such things as antiques, Moravian and North Carolina history, flintlock rifles, leather working and wood turning where else would I want to be on a beautiful North Carolina day? (And I want to thank Pam for never rushing me though museums or living history events.)

Here is just a little bit about the history of Old Salem. It was founded as Salem in 1766 by the Moravians, who were ex-Europeans who came down the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania, to establish a religious community. While Old Salem is not an operational religious community today, it retains its Moravian flavor through the painstaking restoration of the original buildings, the staff in period clothing and their sharing of the town’s history.

Our Old-Salem day began at the MESDA. Our guide through the museum was Jenny Garwood. Jenny was conversant on anything I asked about. The museum has many period interiors from simple to quite fancy antique southern homes. You begin the tour in a simple room with simple furnishings and wind your way through doors leading from one reassembled interior to another. The rooms are filled with antiques and art that are appropriate to each room’s period of history. The tour ends with seeing the MESDA’s collection of longrifles and shooting accouterments. You will see super rifles from makers such as Kennedy and Vogler.

No pictures are allowed in the museum so you won’t see any here.

Bill Bailey tells the history of the Vogler Gunshop. (Copyright pamlappegardphotography.com)

Here is Bill's personal powder horn and bag. (Copyright pamlappegardphotography.com)

Blake Stevenson is the guy in charge of the Vogler Gunshop. Blake is a hands-on interpreter as well as the department head. Here is Blake with his copy of a Vogler rifle (with the iconic eagle patchbox). It is a shooter and has not been babied. It could pass for an original.

Here is Blake’s Personal horn with his own engraving. He says that his scratching is better these days, but I really like the folksy quality of this engraving.

I am lucky that Old Salem is just an hour and a half from me so I can go back soon. There are other artisan shops that I have not written about, but I will when I go back next year.

Here is the link to Old Salem. www.oldsalem.org

Thanks for reading,
Rick Sheets

Jerry Eitnier, Maker of Iron Mounted Southern Rifles

My friend Mark Thomas is well known as The Craftsman to the Past and he exists in a rare category as one of the finest artisans in the country. Whenever Mark is impressed, I listen.  He and I spoke about Jerry Eitnier. And we agreed that an article about the man is appropriate to showcase his skills as a builder and blacksmith as well as recognize his undeterred spirit!   Please enjoy this article by Mark Thomas…Thanks, Rick Sheets

Jerry Eitnier, Maker of Iron Mounted Southern Rifles

I would like to introduce my friend Jerry Eitnier to the world. Jerry has given me an opportunity to understand a little better the passion that one can bring to his craft. My meeting of Jerry at our Annual CLA show in Lexington, Kentucky is always a joy. He is a man that that has humbled me in a number of ways. He was going through some personal health issues but was at the show with the biggest grin I’d ever seen on the face of a fellow craftsman. The shear fact that he was there was the main reason for his broad smile. He has always apologized for not being a better craftsman. The quality of ones work isn’t the test of the person, it’s the passion that person brings to their craft.

Jerry is a charter member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association and a member of the NMLRA since 1973. He was inspired to build longrifles around 1987.

An observant person can see, his work is influenced by the Woodbury School fostered by Hershel House. Jerry’s focus is to build a safe shooting gun, and as he says, “the more you use them, the better they look.”  He likes to forge the iron for the hardware on his iron mounted rifles but he is also capable of making other items in his blacksmith shop. Most of his blacksmith work is for his own projects but once in a while he will offer some things for sale or take in an occasional order. He may have a knife or two, an axe or maybe just trigger guards and butt plates.

I’ve included a couple pictures of some of the work that Jerry has made. The next time you pass by his table, take a look, give a smile and meet the man with his dry sense of humor and willingness to laugh. I look forward to the times I get to see Jerry if only for a moment; it is a moment well spent.

Mark Thomas 7/29/10

Click Here to view Jerry Eitner’s contact information.

Charles Wallingford, BladeSmith

Charles Wallingford is a knifemaker or better yet a bladesmith. He works in the style that would be found on a frontiersman of the 18^th or 19^th Century. Charles and I have had a couple of conversations about his knife making…

How long have you been involved in black powder?
Charles: I was first introduced to muzzle loading rifles in 1968. I shot with the Kentucky Longrifles club in Morehead, Kentucky. My job required a move to Northern Kentucky in 1971. That is when I first met Jack Rouse. Jack taught me the rifle building sequence that I use to this day. Since those early days of my life, I have built several rifles that are still shot regularly. I also built a rifle that hangs in the ward room of the Ohio Class Submarine, USS Kentucky. That was a thrill to take it to Groton, Connecticut and hand it to the Captain of the boat.

How did you go from building flintlock rifles to building knives?
Charles: In the early eighties I became interested in the knives that Joe Keesler built. At first I would remove the steel until I got the blade shape I wanted. And then I attempted to forge some blades. It wasn’t until I paid a visit to Hershel House’s place that I finally got on the right track. I have been fortunate to have watched Hershel on numerous occasions do his magic with the hammer.

I am blown away by the look and heft of your knives. What are your design criteria?
Charles: I try to build knives that could have been used in the 18^th and 19^th century. I don’t make exact copies of any particular knife but rather a knife that is usable and comfortable to the hand with the old, well-kept look. I use carbon steel, primarily 1084 and spring steel from old hayrakes, and only natural materials for handles. I make my own hand stitched sheaths for each knife unless I have someone do a quilled sheath for a special order.

You supposedly retired in 1999; are you busy? (If you know Charles, you will recognize this bit of sarcasm!)
Charles: I do attend several events each year. Friendship, Ft Frederick, MD, the CLA show and most recently the 18^th Century Artisan Show in Lewisburg, PA. I still build a rifle on occasion but my knife business is my primary focus since my retirement in 1999.

I am a member of the American Bladesmith Society, NRA, NMLRA , and past President of Kentucky’s Corps of Longriflemen.

What separates a bladesmith from a typical knife maker is not only the result, but the process. Note in the picture above Charles is beating a blade out of a hayrake! Charles’ cartouche is a CW in an oval.

Click to see Charles’ website for additional pictures and information.

Thanks for reading,

Rick Sheets

Click on a picture to see a larger version.

Ross Westgate, West Coast Builder

I was poking around YouTube the other day and bumped into a video posted by Ross Westgate. The video showed a knowledgeable builder who is a member of the CLA living in Oregon.

Ross got his first black powder rifle over thirty years ago and has been passionate about flintlock guns ever since. Ross is not just a builder; he enjoys competition at Rendezvous and informally with his buddies. Ross also takes deer and small game with his rifles.

Ross has been involved with the Pacific Primitive National Rendezvous since its beginning in 1992, a West Coast rendezvous taking place in June each year.

Ross began seriously building guns about seven years ago with his goal being to build guns authentic as possible.  Ross likes to build colonial guns that could have existed during the time period from the French and Indian war through the American Revolution. Ross’s favorites are Bucks county and early Lancaster county, Pennsylvania styles of longrifles. Ross will often add ivory inlays and decorate them with scrimshaw.

Ross does not build a lot of guns. He prefers to make flintlock arms in fewer numbers, assuring that they are authentic, good looking, and accurate.  Ross likes the idea that he is not only creating a gun for a customer, but making a family heirloom. Feel free to contact Ross through his website to discuss custom orders.

Ross Westgate lives in Paisley Oregon, a tiny rural town in South Eastern Oregon with access to abundant outdoor opportunities. Please do watch his video below to see some beautiful work and beautiful country.

Thanks for reading,

Rick Sheets

Please see  www.rosswestgate.net for more pictures and information.

Ross Westgate's Personal Rifle	Ross Westgate Sliding Patchbox
Ross Westgate Cheek Side	Ross Westgate Federal Eagle

Nate McKenzie, Gunmaker

I know Nate McKenzie mainly through his work. I saw a rifle by Nate on the contemporarymakers.blogspot site last June and have been a fan ever since. Subsequently I met Nate at Dixon’s Gun Makers Fair in Kempton, Pennsylvania last year and found him to be very well spoken on the subject of the longrifle and gun making. I understand from Nate that he has attended Dixon’s every year to take seminars and to soak-up everything he can to advance his skill as a gunmaker.

Nate McKenzie began his interest in muzzle loading guns when he was given his grandfathers cut down M 1842 Civil War musket at the age of eight. He has since restored this musket and it still has an honored place in his collection. He built his first long rifle at the age of twenty-two and it hangs over the stone fireplace in his log home today. I have included pictures of Nate’s first build in this article. He has come a long way, but his first flintlock has a folksy charm of its own and has a lot of artistic merit.

Since retiring in 2004 he has been steadily building rifles, smooth bores, powder horns, and wing bone turkey calls. Nate also does restoration work on old rifles and muskets. He has worked on guns for the Luzerne County Pennsylvania historical society and the Montour County Pennsylvania Historical Society. His work was well received at the Eighteenth Century Artisans Show in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

Nate also does Revolutionary War, Civil War, and WWII living history programs for schools, historical societies and other organizations. He is a life member of the NRA and a member of the CLA.

As a full-time artisan, Nate takes on commissioned work.
Nate’s contact information is on his website, please click here.

Thanks for reading,
Rick Sheets

To see a larger version of the following pictures, just click on them

Nate's First Rifle - Adams County	Nate's First Rifle - Cheek Side
Two Lehighs and a Christian Spring rifle. Patch Box Side	Two Lehighs and a Christian Spring rifle. Cheek Side.

Fred Stuzenberger, a prolific writer and builder of Flintlock Arms

Fred Stuzenberger has published approximately 300 articles on the history and construction of muzzleloading arms in periodicals such as Muzzle Blasts, Muzzleloader, The Accurate Rifle, Precision Shooting and The Gun Digest. So you are familiar with his writing, but you might forget that he is a very good builder of flintlock arms. Here is a reminder of Fred’s skill as a gunsmith and a few facts that I bet you don’t know.

Fred’s Southern Muzzleloaders is not so much a business as it is an educational entity dedicated to information on the construction and use of muzzleloading firearms.  Occasionally a rifle or pistol that has been produced during the development of an article is sold to a private buyer or donated for public display. Sometimes, a rifle is built on request from a government agency, for example, the rifle built for the National Park Service’s Living History Program at the King’s Mountain National Military Park.

Fred has organized seminars through local muzzleloading chapters to demonstrate specific techniques useful in the building of muzzleloaders He has had 27 years in active Scouting and occasionally gives demonstrations of safe firearm use to Boy Scout troops and church groups.  From time to time, students interested in the history and construction of muzzleloaders visit with Fred and receive instruction or materials for building their own muzzleloader.

Fred’s professional career as a research professor in Microbiology and Molecular Medicine has spanned 45 years across three continents. He is a life member of the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association, Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society and the National Geographic Society. Currently, he is a staff writer for Muzzleloader magazine and a member of the National Rifle Association.

When Fred is not building or writing, he enjoys other activities such as his daily swim, hiking, restoring old original cabins, writing rhyming poetry and experimental bread baking.

I for one want to thank Fred for sharing his building techniques, scholarship and  research through his writing on our great black powder hobby.

Thanks for reading,
Rick Sheets

Here are the pictures of his guns as promised.
Click on the picture to see a larger version.

Thanks again.

Mark Thomas, Craftsman to the Past

Mark Thomas is a self taught artisan of diverse accomplishments featuring hand engraving of the various items he creates. Mark is a proficient hand engraver, wood carver and silversmith of objects relating to the time period of Colonial America to the mid 19^th century. Flintlock rifles, powder horns, knives, tomahawks and various other objects of the time are examples of his talent. The sterling silver jewelry is an extension of the rifle, in a sense that the first jewelry pieces were influenced by the escutcheon plates used on the fore stock of a rifle during the Golden age of the Kentucky rifle. His jewelry and other silver objects are unique, one-of-a-kind, heirloom quality pieces of art made one at a time and engraved one line at a time. Mark works in various materials from silver, steel, copper and brass to ebony, ivory, various other woods and cow horn to name a few.

Mark began his artistic career with the assembly of a flintlock rifle in 1978. Moved to the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia in 1980 and in 1993 began his full-time venture as artisan of fine folk art. Over past decade Mark has collaborated with Mike Small to create a set of awards for the Contemporary Longrifle Association. In 2005, Mark built the powder horn presented to, Fess Parker, for his inspiration to the many members of the CLA with his portrayal of Davey Crockett and Daniel Boone.

He is a nationally recognized charter member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association, also member of the NMLRA, NRA, and FEGA.

The rifle shown in these pictures is a close rendition of an early gun, known for the engraved name on the side plate. This rifle was turned up in Virginia and had been handed down through an early Virginia family if memory serves. The other photos are of a variety of pieces that have been made within the last year or show a unique item of historic interest.

Please click on an image to see a larger version.

Mark Thomas
“Craftsman to the Past”

10547 Union Springs Rd.
Dayton , Va. 22821

540 867 5829

mtgraver@yahoo.com

www.MarkThomas-graver.com

Bailey Mercantile in Fuquay-Varina. NC’s best kept secret!

Bailey Mercantile Colonial Shop is housed in a simple building on Highway 42  in Fuquay-Varina. If you are not looking for it, you might miss it. What a shame that would be. When Jim Bailey is not in his familiar canvas tent at black powder events, he is here in his shop creating handcrafted flintlocks.
Jim has been building flintlock rifles for thirty years; the quality of his work shows off this fact. His longrifles are beautiful, well-researched, wonderfully executed and a joy to hold and shoulder.

His favorite rifle to build is in the style of early Virginia- wider in the butt and not overly adorned with carving.

Now is a good time to contact Jim if you need a custom rifle. His delivery time is 3 to 4 months on a rifle.

Jim’s wife, Mary, is a seamstress of the first order; she specializes in Colonial and early American clothing. She has a variety of ready to buy clothing in the shop, but most of her work is custom made to fit the customer.

Bailey Mercantile has a good inventory of balls, bags, journeyman’s bags, Colonial clothing, un-worked horns, powder horns and the list goes on.

If you are in the area, call Jim and Mary to see their shop. Here is a link to their contact information- www.baileymercantilecolonialshop.com.