[Pictured above is Larry Spisak's copy of the Tecumseh Gun with the original below.] Dear readers, as promised, here is the first of the CLA live auction items. Some of you may have recognized the British Indian Department brand from the last CLA auction post. It is the brand applied to guns that the British gave to their Indian allies during the war of 1812. This year's live auction includes a copy of the gun once owned by Tecumseh, and...
A War of 1812 Militiamans Cartridge Box by Frank Barker In 1812, America's standing army numbered less than 12,000 men. Because of this, President Madison called upon local and state militia units to carry the day. They were simply asked to invade and capture Canada, which would quickly force the British into negotiations or even surrender. Things didnt prove quite so easy, but Madison was correct in assuming that a large burden of the fighting would indeed fall upon local...
An 18th CENTURY CAMPAIGN HORN and discharge papers By Scott and Cathy Sibley If you know anything about contemporary powder horns, then you know about the husband and wife team, from Wyoming, that have long been recognized as two of the nations premier horn makers. I am proud to tell you that for our 2012 live auction, Scott and Cathy volunteered to craft a beautiful war of 1812 themed campaign horn, but not satisfied to stop there, they took this special...
A Traditional Quill Decorated Storage Box Made by Mariah Blake CLA artist Mariah Blake has crafted a traditional Native American piece for the auction, a quill decorated birch bark storage box. This beautiful little lidded box is completely decorated with red, white and blue dyed porcupine quills. To do it, she patiently anchored the ends of each hand dyed quill into a tiny hole bored into the birch bark, creating a classic chevron pattern as she worked. The lid is...
In 1811, the Shawnee chief, Tecumseh, conducted a mission to the Creek Nation in Alabama. He urged the Creeks to throw off the white culture that many had adopted and return to the ancient traditions of their people. Many Creeks heeded Tecumseh's call, while others resisted. A civil war broke out among the Creek Nation in 1812, almost the same time the war between the United States and Great Britain began. The traditionalist faction, known as the Red Sticks,...
Tecumseh's Pipe Ax made by Brian Barker This CLA fundraising auction item was crafted by artist Brian Barker. He has researched and created a copy of a pipe ax once owned by the Shawnee chief Tecumseh. The exploits of Tecumseh during the war of 1812 are famous, and to have this hand forged, hand engraved, silver inlaid copy of his personal tomahawk in our auction definately demonstrates the level of research and dedication to craftsmanship that our CLA artists are...
Another item specially made for the upcoming CLA auction is a detailed copy of the Francis Tansel Fort Meigs powder horn. Two very similar Ft. Meigs were made by Francis while he actually served at Ft. Meigs as a volunteer in Boswells 10th Kentucky Militia regiment, and it is believed that there once may even have been a third. The special horn for this set, complete with its turned and applied walnut tip, fish mouth, and toothed engrailing was crafted...
A complete Rifle Accoutrement Tool Set and Quilled Storage Pouch by Larry and Zach Callahan Every rifle needs some special custom tools to keep it firing well and in working order. Realizing that, artists Larry and Zach Callahan, a father and son team from Pevely Missouri, worked together to make a very nice and very complete set of riflemans accoutrements and the specially made brain tanned, quill decorated pouch to keep them in. We are very happy to include their...
"A traditional Native American Tobacco Pipe by James Blake and Chris Hays" James Blake and Chris Hays have teamed up to create a truly iconic Native American item for our auction, one that would have typically been crafted and used by Native Americans all along the frontier during the War of 1812 . Chris has carefully fashioned a pewter inlaid, red "Catlinite" pipe bowl, and to accompany it James made a traditional quill decorated and incise carved pipe stem. This is...
The CLA "Alligator Horse" rifle by Mitch Yates and the ALR Moderators" Mitch Yates and the moderators over at American Long Rifles web site have made a very special rifle for the upcoming CLA fund raising auction. This Dickert style rifle was designed to pay tribute to the legendary Hunters of Kentucky and their expliots at the Battle of New Orleans under Andrew Jackson. The rifle has a special "Alligator Horse" silver inlay, and silver presentation plack affixed inside the...
