admin, Author at Contemporary Longrifle Foundation

1760s Hunting Rig by Jack Weeks, Rick Lorenzen and John Leach

Jack Weeks and Rick Lorenzen have partnered once again and the result is a bold bag and horn set. They are both artists and craftsmen who continuously research early American history and the evolution of hunting accoutrements. This is the fourth year the guys have been collaborating using 18th century materials and techniques. They want this handsome rig to be loved and used by a contemporary hunter who will pass it down as a family heirloom. Jack has selected a...

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

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

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

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

Eighteenth Century Folding Knife by Scott Summerville

In November of 1766, the English firm of Robert Cary and Company issued an invoice for miscellaneous goods to an up-and-coming Virginia planter who was largely tethered to the mother country for the manufactured goods necessary on his plantation. For various items including silk, nails, buttons, and cheese, George Washington was billed the respectable sum of 161. Included in the shipment was one item clearly intended for a gentleman of standing: 1 fine pocket knife, London made, for the...

2019 Fundraising

.54 Caliber Gentlemans Pistol by Ken Stanley and Chuck Edwards

Few weapons capture the artistic grandeur of the flintlock era quite like a refined gentlemans pistol, and this year the CLF is pleased to present a truly stunning example by gunsmiths Ken Stanley and Chuck Edwards. Inspired by a pistol originally created by Pennsylvania's legendary Kuntz family of gunsmiths, Stanley created this exquisite handgun around a .54 caliber, 10 3/4, rifled barrel, stocked in curly maple. Stanley entirely scratch built the sterling silver furniture for this piece, including the...

2019 Fundraising

Double Beaver Hunting Bag by Bill Smith

The hunting pouch, explains Kentucky artist Bill Smith, is an icon of the American frontier used in the 18th and 19th centuries. But the modern frontiersman remains in need of a reliable bag for the woods or the range, and for this years CLF fundraising auction Smith has once again donated one of his renowned hunting bags. Smith's bags are widely regarded for their robust functionality, and this piece exceeds expectations. The body of the bag, which is made from...

2019 Fundraising

Saga of the Longknife

One of the keystone offerings of this years CLF fundraising auction is the collective creation of eight CLA member artists. Christened the Saga of the Longknife by its creators, this piece constitutes a stunning, mixed media sculptural set composed of superbly executed, functional art. The entire set is created around a folk-art carving by artist Matt Fennewald, who used a mix of woods including pecan, walnut, and cherry to assemble the body of the sculpture, which is scaled...

2019 Fundraising

Ozarks Trekker by Marty Overstreet, Joel Coash, O.J. Stone, and Paul Fennewald

A truly unique offering in this years CLF fundraising auction, the Ozarks Trekker set is the collaborative creation of four Missouri artists and constitutes a superb decorative display for the home. This collection pays homage to Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, who explored the Ozarks over the winter of 1819 and later published an account of his journey. O.J. Stone hand forged a classic frontier hunting knife from 1095 carbon steel, and fitted the blade to a hard maple handle. The style,...

2019 Fundraising

Antler Handled Frontier Knife by Glen Mock

Modern outdoorsmen are in perpetual need of a reliable knife, and collectors can do no better than a blade by prominent knifemaker Glen Mock. A renowned bladesmith and faithful supporter of the CLF fundraising auction, Mock donated a classic frontiersmans knife to this years event. Mocks blade was painstakingly hand forged from 1084 steel and fitted to a traditional antler handle. The handle is decorated with a hand-cast pewter bolster and a German silver end cap. The knife comes...

2019 Fundraising

1760s Great Lakes Knife and Sheath Set by Ben Hoffman

For this years CLF fundraising auction, Ohio artisan Ben Hoffman chose to reproduce an original piece made in the Great Lakes region that dates from the 1760s. True to artists exacting standards, both the knife and sheath was entirely hand-crafted. Hoffman salvaged the steel for the knife blade from an antique buggy spring, which was then hand-forged using a vintage hand-crank-powered coal forge. The basic shape of the blade was crafted using a hammer, tongs and anvil. Most of the...

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

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

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

Bag and Horn Set by Tom Greco

Artisan Tom Greco is well known as a maker of distinctive, top-quality frontier art. Not surprisingly, he's contributed a standout bag and horn set for this years CLF fundraising auction. The body of Greco's unique possibles bag is crafted from goat hide, which is richly colored with a brown leather dye and a sealing coat of grease. The warm color of the bag contrasts nicely with the outer flap, as well as the flap of a smaller pocket, which...

2019 Fundraising

Polled Tomahawk and Sheath by Simeon England, Kyle Willyard, and Shelly Gier

Text by Simeon England A collaborative effort by Simeon England, Kyle Willyard, and Shelly Gier, this tomahawk is heavily based on Englands research into early belt axes, referred to as polled tomahawks in the period, carried by backcountry frontiersmen. Though a bit more refined than what would commonly be seen on the frontier, the engraving and level of finish are similar to many existing examples of pipe tomahawks made by colonial gunsmiths. England and Willyard worked together in forging the tomahawk,...

2019 Fundraising

Quilled Hatband by Djuana Tucker

During the 18th and 19th centuries, no self-respecting gentleman or scoundrel, for that matter would consider venturing into public without a hat. For the modern-day frontiersman headed for the range, the rendezvous, or the woods, that hasnt changed. For those hoping to set their headgear apart from the crowd, CLA artist Djuana Tucker has donated a unique quill wrapped rawhide hatband to this years fund-raising auction. Typical of Tuckers work, the piece is constructed with historically appropriate...

2019 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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