Fundraising Archives - Page 4 of 7 - Contemporary Longrifle Foundation

Early American Hanging Shelf by Patrick Thevenow

While most blackpowder enthusiasts are outdoorsmen by nature, even the most die-hard frontiersman enjoys the comforts of home. For this years CLF fundraising auction, artist Patrick Thevenow has donated a fine piece of reproduction home dcor thats sure to tastefully complement a wide range of design schemes. Thevenows hanging wall shelf is inspired by an original set of built-in cupboards constructed by an Indiana cabinetmaker circa-1818. Fittingly enough, the piece is constructed of solid tulip poplar, the state tree of...

2019 Fundraising

Lobed Horn and Hunting Bag by Tim Crosby and Marc Hamel

Tim Crosby and Marc Hamel teamed up to create a superb colonial era bag and horn set for this years CLF fundraising auction. The architecture of Hamels cowhide hunting bag is inspired by an eighteenth century engraving that depicts a rifleman wearing a similar bag. The bag is made from 2-3 ounce cowhide, tooled and dyed by Hamel. The main flap is 4-5 ounce cowhide, and the saddle stitching is waxed linen. The welt, edge binding and internal pocket...

2019 Fundraising

Possibles Bag by Gary Tingler & Kris Polizzi

Faithful CLA supporter and skilled craftsman Gary Tingler has created another outstanding hunting bag for this years CLF fundraising auction. This piece is a gracefully proportioned possibles bag entirely hand-crafted from hard-wearing buffalo leather, with edges bound in deerskin. The bag, graced with a rich brown patina, has a handy inner pocket, and comes complete with a pewter-capped pick and brush set handmade by Tingler. The bag, which is entirely handstitched in waxed linen thread, is paired with an...

2019 Fundraising

Neck Knife and Quilled Sheath by Virgil Henle and Christie Suchora

During the Seven Years War, French military engineer Pierre Pouchot was intrigued by Native American warriors who habitually wore remarkably decorated knife sheaths as a badge of status. The Indians always have one suspended round their neck, explained Pouchot. Their knife is hung from the neck, he wrote, and falls upon the breastthey regard this property as sacred as their children. Attendees at this years CLF fundraising auction will have the opportunity to acquire a truly outstanding neck knife and...

2019 Fundraising

Neck Knife and Quilled Sheath by Charles Wallingford and Bill Wright

Few pieces of tribal artistry are as visually captivating as the iconic neck knife of the eastern woodlands. For this years CLF fundraising auction, two of the nations top artists have teamed up to produce a truly outstanding example thats destined to become a treasured heirloom. Master cutler and CLA charter member Charles Wallingford hand-forged this knife from 1084 bar stock. Typical of the legendary Wallingford knives, the blade is razor sharp and sports a rich patina. The handle is...

2019 Fundraising

Frontier Georgia Bag and Horn Set by Ron Hess and Marc Hamel

CLA members are very often inspired by history in the creation of their art. A 2018 exhibition at the Georgia Museum of Art, which focused on the states early gunsmiths, prompted Georgia artist Ron Hess to create this fine bag and horn set for this years CLF fundraising auction. The oldest firearm at the exhibition was an 1815 rifle attributed to frontier gunsmith Richard Allen; the Allen rifle is accompanied by an original bag and horn which was duplicated...

2019 Fundraising

Classic Beaver Tail Hunting Bag by Doug Warren

One of the most vital pieces of equipment for blackpowder shooters is a rig consisting of a watertight horn and a dependable possibles bag, and this years CLA auction will afford bidders the opportunity to own a truly exemplary set by artist Doug Warren. Warren's bag is a fine collectors piece that will be perfectly at home in a display case or in the field. The artist utilized period-appropriate materials for the entire bag. Crafted from 3 oz. deerskin...

2019 Fundraising

Hunting Pouch and Horn by Lawrence Fiorillo & Todd Hambrick

This Eighteenth century style pouch and horn are in the homespun frontier style. The oak tanned cowhide bag measures ten and a half inches long and 5 and a half inches deep. It has a simple domed metal button closure and an internal pocket. The waxed hemp strap is wide and should make a comfortable carry. This horn is perfect for this bag. It has charming folk art animal figures and a sturdy construction. There is also a powder measure,...

2018 Fundraising

Fraktur Distlefinks by Sandy Greco

The CLF is proud to present for auction this framed 7 1/2 inch by 21 1/2 inch Fraktur style artwork from CLA artist D Sandy Greco. The term Fraktur describes a form of calligraphy or a font type, but has been extended the colorful floral and figurative drawings and paintings that started as illumination for birth and baptismal certificates and evolved to stand alone illustrations. The Pennsylvania German community developed Fraktur as an art form with some of the earliest...

2018 Fundraising

Bag and Horn Set by Brian Barker

The annual CLF fundraising auction routinely offers the finest in contemporary frontier art, but Brian Barkers striking contribution to this years auction has the looks of a centuries-old original. Barker crafted the hunting bag from bark tanned deer hide, warmly aged and hand sewn with linen thread. The interior of the bag is lined with linen fabric, and appears to have been repaired with a swatch of pillow tick. The strap for the bag is made from heavy duty vegetable...

2019 Fundraising

Iron Mounted Rifle by Heinz Ahlers, Frank House, Jim Kibler, & Ian Pratt

The Woodbury Whitson Rifle is a result of a collaboration between Jim Kibler, Heinz Ahlers, Ian Pratt and Frank House. Jim Kibler donated one of his fine Iron Mounted Southern rifle kits to the CLA for this years auction. Heinz handled the assembly of the kit and fabricated the additional metal parts. Ian Pratt was the design consultant, historian, and trigger smith. Frank House handled the finishing work including the final styling on the rifle. This rifle went start to...

2018 Fundraising

Hand-Forged Hearth Cooking Set by Greg Bray

For many early American history enthusiasts, living with a tangible connection to the past can be a way of life. This years CLF fundraising auction will feature a delightful set of cooking utensils that will be equally at home around a campfire or in a 21st century kitchen. Blacksmith and CLA member Greg Bray has crafted a full set of hand-forged cooking implements based on original 18th century examples. The set includes a ladle, a serving or cooking fork, a...

2019 Fundraising

Quilled Horn Strap by Djuana Tucker

The quillwork design on this powder horn strap is based on 18th century Eastern Woodland/Great Lakes style porcupine quill embroidery. The quills are naturally dyed with indigo, Osage orange, and madder, and they are sewn onto the strap using the zigzag and outline techniques. The strap is 36" long and 1 1/2" wide. The leather is smoked, braintanned, and walnut dyed by Andy Ruffner. The strap is lined with linen and has leather reinforced ends, with two 12" leather...

2018 Fundraising

Classic Patch Knife by Verlin Cossel

Every blackpowder shooter needs a dependable patch knife in his kit, and this years CLF fundraising auction will afford attendees the opportunity to own a truly fine example by knifemaker Verlin Cossel. Cossels patch knife is an evocative classic that conjures images of the early American frontier. Starting with reclaimed steel from an antique hay rake tine, Cossel handcrafted the blade at the coal forge in his home workshop. The blade is fitted in its tastefully-aged antler handle with a...

2019 Fundraising

Otter Bag by Frank Chambers

The Otter skin pouch is traditional Native American accoutrement. Franklin Chambers has created a particularly fine example for this years auction. James Adair made the following observation relating to Native American hunting pouches: "all the savages sit cross-legged, so my visitors did, and held their guns on their knee, or kept them very near, with their otter-skin shot pouch over one of their shoulders. This nicely tanned otter pouch has the open top construction popular with the Southern Nations. A...

2018 Fundraising

Calfskin Hunting Bag by Chris Crosby

Chris Crosbys fine contribution to this years CLF auction represents, he explains, a piece that would have been carried by a man of middling means, to service his smooth rifle or fowler. The body of the bag is made from vegetable tanned calfskin and the bindings on the flap and at the throat of the bellows panel are bark tanned sheepskin. The bags rich coloring was achieved with the artists own resourceful mix of crushed willow and oak charcoal,...

2019 Fundraising

Knife by Glen Mock with Sheath by Heinz Ahlers

Glen Mock forged this fine knife, a stylish 6 inch bladed belt knife with a coin silver pummel cap setting off the antler handle. This blade has an interesting long choil. Glens forged blades are well known for their ruggedness and edge holding. This blade and handle have an interesting architecture and the knife is extremely comfortable in the hand. This will make a great camp knife and skinner. Heinz Ahlers has contributed a simple belt sheath from vegetable tanned...

2018 Fundraising

Charlie Wallingford with Quilled Sheath by Bill Wright

For the tribes of the northeast woodlands, no item in the warriors kit was as essential as a good blade, which very often took the form of the traditional neck knife. French Capt. Pierre Pouchot, who closely observed the natives during the French and Indian War, noted that Indian warriors wouldnt venture anywhere without one. Their knife is hung from a sheath from the neck, and falls upon the breast, wrote Pouchot, and they regard this property as sacred...

2018 Fundraising

Haversack by Bill Smith

This year the CLA Live Auction is offering one of Bill Smiths popular haversacks. This leather and herringbone weave hemp cloth version of Bills haversack is particularly attractive. The haversack is approximately eleven inches by eleven inches. The leather flap is a very dark brown as is the one and a half inch wide leather strap. The bag is fully lined in duck cloth with two accessory pockets on the inside. The Hemp cloth is almost black and the herringbone...

2018 Fundraising

Hunting Set by Tim Crosby & Marc Hamel

This Virginia style horn and strap is by Tim Crosby. The horn features a screw tip and an antler collar with a horn tip. There is also a turned antler finial on the butt cap. The Tim Crosby patch knife has a turned antler handle and a bolster from a recycled pipe axe bowl. Tim also created the accouterments; a turned pewter powder measure with a turned wooden tip, a horse hair brush, and a work hardened copper vent...

2018 Fundraising

Wall Plaque by Joshua Shepherd

Independentruggedself-reliant. Few images in our nations history are as enduring as that of the quintessential American frontiersman. For this years CLF fundraising auction, artist Joshua Shepherd has created a unique sculpture Taking Aim - that pays fitting homage to the legendary longhunters who helped carve a nation out of a forbidding wilderness. Directly modelled in sculptors epoxy, the frontiersman sports an iconic hunters frock, broad-brimmed hat, powder horn, antler handled long knife, and, of course, flintlock rifle. Measuring approximately...

2018 Fundraising

Hunting Bag by Gary Tingler

Gary Tingler has furnished an exceptionally nice hunting bag for this years auction. The soft leather bag is tightly sewn and features a darker welt. The design of this bag is notable. It has a taper from the eight and a half inch bottom to the five and a half inch top. The ample flap fits very closely at the top opening. There are two extra pockets, one under the flap with a separate flap and button closure of...

2018 Fundraising

Folding Knife by Scot Summerville, Engraved by Chuck Edwards

The folding knife is one of the most useful forms of cutlery. It fits nicely in a pouch or pocket and is handy to have when you are in more formal dress. A folding knife is often thought of as a requirement fo the gentleman. And do we ever have a gentlemans knife for this years auction. Two excellent CLA artisans, Chuck Edwards and Scott Summerville have teamed up to produce an extraordinary folding knife this year. Both artists are...

2018 Fundraising

Hunting Bag and Horn by Jack Weeks, Kenny Nichols, Paula Hoagland, & Rick Lorenzen

I hand stitched the 8x8 inch D- shaped bag of bark tanned deer hide with waxed linen thread. It has a 3x2 ball pocket and a 4x8 inch partition at the inside back. Paula Hoagland ( Indiana) provided the hand woven wool and linen strap. Rick Lorenzen (Michigan) contributed the 13 inch scrimshawed horn with a rattlesnake theme. The late Kenny Nichols (Alabama) made the 4inch, 70 grain rattlesnake powder measure. Matt Hunt (Virginia) prepared the bark tan for...

2018 Fundraising

Priming Horn by Ken Stanley

Ken Stanley has created this great priming horn for the auction. This is a nice flat horn approximately 6 inches overall. A very appealing horn in a useful size and shape for the pouch: it will also make a fine day horn for a squirrel rifle. This flat horn with great color fits well in the hand and shows the care the artist put into this auction creation. The scrimshaw work on this horn is very well done. Additional touches...

2018 Fundraising

Fine Scrimshawed Horn by Lee Cooper

In 1775 a twenty-four year old Englishman found himself on the Colonial American frontier as the American Revolution was taking hold. Nicholas Cresswell was low on cash and took employment with an Indian trader to recoup his fortunes. He left us with a journal of his frontier adventures from Fort Pitt into the Indian Country and back. Lee Cooper has produced this extraordinary horn in commemoration of Nicholas Cresswell and included a photocopy of Cresswells journal of his trading adventure. This...

2018 Fundraising

Powder Horn by Ron Hess

This great smaller sized set is constructed around a six and half inch wide and seven inch deep bag using leather repurposed from a boot. Ron Hess owned this bag but it was made by fellow CLA artist Ken Scott. Ron decided to make a Tansel style horn to fit the bag. And fortunately for us he decided to donate the end product to the CLA Auction. This is a very successful pairing. The great molding, scrimshaw and subtle color...

2018 Fundraising

Pouch, Powder Horn, and Accoutrements by Jack Weeks, Rick Lorenzen, Shayna Matthews, and Kenny Nichols

by Joshua Shepherd with photography by H. David Wright CLA artists consistently demonstrate the ability to marry museum-quality aesthetics with rugged practicality. Artist Jack Weeks and a cadre of talented craftsmen have collaborated to produce a truly outstanding bag and horn set for this years CLF fundraising auction. The project is the brainchild of noted CLA artisan Jack Weeks. The basic concept, he explains, was to assemble the equipment a market hunter in the three rivers area would have carried to...

2017 Fundraising

Longrifle by James Frost

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Heinz Ahlers & H. David Wright The early history of the rifle in America is always fascinating and problematic. We know that rifles were in use on the frontier prior to the French and Indian War. John Fraser mentioned the loss of seven rifled guns at the Battle of Fort Necessity. Even earlier, in 1743, the trader John Armstrong stole a rifled gun and a horse from a Delaware Indian. Armstrongs murder when the...

2017 Fundraising

Brooch and Box by Glen Mock

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright The Eighteenth Century was a time of few possessions. Items of personal ornament often doubled with a useful purpose. The treasured family pieces were kept in containers appropriate to their value. Glen Mock has created such a piece for the 2017 Auction. Carefully crafted from natural material this shawl brooch is stunning and elegant. Glen has always been known for his scrimshaw work in horn, bone, antler and other natural materials....

2017 Fundraising

Powder Horn by Steve Lodding and H. David Wright

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright Steve Lodding and H. David Wright have teamed up to create a spectacular engraved powder horn inspired by an original in a private collection. The antique French and Indian War period New York map horn, attributed to the "Pointed Tree" carver contains a base plug that was uniquely painted with a scene of a gentleman hunting birds over his dog. Lodding, who made and engraved the horn, used features of the "Pointed...

2017 Fundraising

Pistol Case by Jerry Moniot

Pistol Case by Jerry Moniot by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Gordon Barlow Sometimes when you have something really nice, you want to have it in a case that you can open when you want to display it, and close when you want to be a bit more discreet, Also you might prefer not to shove your antique Nicholas-Noel Boutet French officers pistol into a cigar box. Jerry Moniot hand made this finely crafted chest he refers to as a pistol case....

2017 Fundraising

Warrior’s Clutch

For this years CLF fundraising auction, a cadre of some of the most respected artists in the muzzleloading community has teamed up to create a truly remarkable collection christened A Warrior's Clutch. The goal for the craftsmen, explains artist Ian Pratt, was to create a vibrant, visually striking set of items that reflect the possessions carried by a warrior in the mid-18th century. Although we imagine a general Great Lakes region as our warrior's home, his identity remains unknown. The...

2018 Fundraising

Hunting Pouch, Powder Horn, and Accoutrements by Dwight Umbel, Kris Polizzi, and Jerry Eitnier

by Joshua Shepherd with photography by Ric Lambert and Heinz Ahlers There are few items in a hunters kit as crucial as a trusty possibles bag. For this years CLF fundraising auction, a trio of artisans - Dwight Umbel, Kris Polizzi, and Jerry Eitnier teamed up to create a visually stunning bag and horn set thats sure to become a family heirloom. The bag itself is the creation of CLA artist Dwight Umbel. Umbel crafted the bag from 2-3 oz....

2017 Fundraising

Knife by Kyle Willyard with Sheath by Lally House

Lally House and Kyle Willyard have collaborated to make a special project for this years CLA Auction. This knife and quilled sheath showcase the first quality work of two top artisans. The neck sheath is a preferred Native American method for carrying the knife, it is safe to assume this useful method would have carried over to the frontier as it is both useful and attractive. The hand forged knife by Kyle features traditional styling with an integral forged bolster,...

2018 Fundraising

18th Century Puppet by Dale Powers

by Joshua Shepherd with photography by Gordon Barlow Despite the passage of centuries, mankind, at his core, remains the same. Life in the 18th century could entail some pretty serious work, but everyone eventually needs get away from it all. Long before he penned the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was a hard-working Williamsburg attorney who managed a veritable mountain of court cases. But on April 14, 1769, Jefferson recorded his expenses for a little harmless diversion: he paid 7...

2017 Fundraising

Priming Horn by Joe-D Baxter & Mike Miller

Priming horns can be a topic of some discussion about their presumed use or non-use on the American frontier. Nevertheless priming flasks did exist in Europe and Asia and are found in museum collections for 16th to 18th century arms. Sometimes called Pulvers from the German word for ground or powdered, these small flasks seem to have been used with matchlocks, wheellocks and cannon. Have you ever thought about what a paper cartridge equipped musketeer did when his firelock...

2018 Fundraising

Knife with Quilled Sheath by Rob Parks and Linda Pritchard

by Joshua Shepherd with photography by H. David Wright It's arguably the most important tool for any outdoorsman: a good blade. But for the modern-day frontiersman who favors period black powder shooting, not just any knife will do. This years CLF fundraising auction is fortunately graced with an outstanding knife and sheath set by artisans Robert Park and Linda Pritchard. Accomplished bladesmith Robert Park handcrafted the knife, which is forged from 1084 spring steel. It's a well-proportioned piece: the handle is...

2017 Fundraising

Hunting Set by Tom Greco

This hunting set consists of a banded screw tip horn with leather strap, a leather pouch with decorative welt, a flint wallet, lathe turned cleaning tools, an antler measure, pan brush and vent pick. This entire set exhibits close attentional to detail and the pride in workmanship that mark all Tom Greco products. The horn is medium sized with a nice warm color with two white bands. The bands have fine molding lines. The turned antler screw tip shows excellent...

2018 Fundraising

Powder Horn by Glen Sutt

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright The powder horn has always been a very personal piece of equipment. Map horns that showed country the bearer already knew like the back of his hand, scrimshawed horns with the owners name, plain buffalo horns that showed that you had killed one, and spotted horns all told a story. The understated but elegant horns in keeping with the plain living, God fearing folks of the Southern frontier and the flamboyant...

2017 Fundraising

Belt Knife by Charlie Wallingford

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert and Heinz Ahlers In 1748 George Washington was on his first adventure over the Blue Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley. Lord Fairfax had taken a liking to the 16 year old and thought to introduce him to the wilds and the art of surveying. In Georges Journal of My Journey Over the Mountains began Fryday the 11th of March 1747/8 Washington comments on their dinner with Solomon Hedges, Justice of the Peace...

2017 Fundraising

Ojibwe Smoking Pipe by Don Shaver

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert and Heinz Ahlers The Chippewa or Ojibwe were a large indigenous nation with an agricultural history and a great engagement in trade. They traded copper, pipestone, and furs. By the late 18th century this highly civilized tribe had absorbed cultural elements and material goods from the Cree to the north, the Iroqouis to the east, and both French and English trade items. The traditional Ojibwa smoking pipe incorporated some of these changing cultural...

2017 Fundraising

I See It Too by Andrew Knez Jr.

by Joshua Shepherd with photography by Gordon Barlow This great Andrew Knez Jr. painting was scheduled to be auctioned last year. That did not happen. Your auction Chairman was a bit remiss in the logistics also Andrew unfortunately was involved in a serious automobile accident on his way too the auction. We deferred the auction of the painting off to this year. We are happy to say Andrew has recovered nicely and should be at the auction this year. We...

2017 Fundraising

Appalachian Style Linen and Leather Hunting Bag by Andrew Verdon

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Heinz Ahlers The linen hunting bag could be in the Appalachian Mountains, especially the Southern Mountains. This breathable fabric style bag was the precursor to the canvas web gear that served our military in two World Wars. The light weight fabric bag works very well as long as you avoid a lot of loose pointy things in the contents. This linen bag with leather flap is nicely crafted by noted leather worker Andrew Verdon. This...

2017 Fundraising

Rifle, Pouch, and Knife by Josh Wrightsman and Gary Tingler

by Heinz Ahlers and Josh Wrightsman with photography by Ric Lambert The pre-revolutionary frontier, west of the great wagon road was an exciting place, from the Allegheny River country down through western Virginia and the Carolinas. The Frontiersman were learning their trade and the skills that would take them across the continent. One of their primary tools was the American longrifle and one of the cradles of longrifle development was Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Josh Wrightsmant and Gary Tingler have created an early...

2017 Fundraising

Elk Hide Hunting Bag by Gary Tingler

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert, Heinz Ahlers, & K. Tingler The longrifle is an essential part of the longhunters kit. But,the longrifle without the hunting bag is a difficult thing to manage. You could put the balls in a your pocket, if you had a pocket, or in your mouth, but probably not enough for a long hunt So the hunting bag became a natural accessory to the longhunters gun. It was also a presonal piece of...

2017 Fundraising

Folding Knife by Scott Summerville

by Heinz Ahlers The CLF is again privileged to present a Scott Summerville folding knife. In prior years Scott made similar stunning folders for us which commanded a lot of attention Once again, Scott is one of our repeat donors and continues to support the CLF. The folding knife is an authentic accoutrement for the 18th and early 19th centuries. Scott's creation is a beautiful piece in warm brown and gunmetal grey tones. A quality example of a folding knife with...

2016 Fundraising

Belt Knife by Mike Davis

by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright Mike Davis has produced a fine Woodbury style belt knife for this years action. Mike is a repeat donor, having donated an iron mounted rifle last year that sold very well. This year Mike has turned out a 6 inch bladed knife in a classic frontier pattern. The whitetail antler handle with a poured pewter bolster shows Mike's association with House brothers school of knife making. If you only wanted to carry...

2017 Fundraising

Longknife with Quilled Sheath by Djuana Tucker & Kyle Willyard

by Joshua Shepherd For the average shooter, the annual CLA show in Lexington, Kentucky is always a great place to outfit one's blackpowder rig with a few needed items. A spartan setup of horn and bag will suffice; muzzleloading enthusiasts are, after all, an eminently practical set of folks. But what makes the CLA show singularly unique is its broad selection of museum quality reproductions, a truly remarkable display of fine craftsmanship that constitutes a breathtaking exhibit of the applied...

2016 Fundraising

Wood Sculptor by Bruce Meurer

by Joshua Shepherd with photography by H. David Wright For any craftsperson, the successful marriage of three-dimensional and two-dimensional disciplines is one of the most difficult hurdles of the creative arts. Buyers at this year's CLA fundraising auction will have the chance to own a unique sculpture by master carver Bruce Meurer that skillfully accomplishes the feat. Meurer executed the piece in basswood, a tight-grained medium favored by professional woodcarvers. Measuring 11" high, the bust depicts a typical warrior of the...

2017 Fundraising