2025 Fundraising Archives - Contemporary Longrifle Foundation

Lot 1: Shooting Rig by: Bob Browder, Ronald Turner, Lisa Williams, Mark Hoover Jr., Jeffery Blazek, and John Rader

Bob Browder and friends contributed an outstanding shooting rig that will get the job done in style. Browder created the richly colored, bark-tanned deerskin pouch. The bag comes complete with the tools of the trade, including a pan whisk and pick by Mark Hoover, Jr. and a handy powder measure by Jeffery Blazek. The set is accompanied with a straightforward and nicely aged powder horn by Ron Turner, as well as a rugged, hand forged hunting knife and sheath...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 2: Tecumseh Powder Horn by: Barbara Smith

Muzzleloading enthusiasts love history, and bidders at this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction will have the opportunity to own a faithful reproduction of a truly historic artifact. Artist Barbara Smith has contributed her contemporary version of the “Tecumseh” powder horn from the collection of the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron, Nebraska. This horn features scrimshaw designs faithful to the original, as well as tasteful engraving around the spout. The base plug is made of pine and stained a rich walnut...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 3: Original Acrylic Painting by: Dave Hasler

This year, the CLF Fundraising Auction is pleased to present an original painting by noted historical artist Dave Hasler. The painter is widely known for his accurate and evocative depictions of American history, from the Colonial era to World War II. Hasler’s painting, titled Wrong Place…Wrong Time is an original acrylic-on-canvas, measuring 13 x 19 inches, that’s ready for a treasured spot in your home or office. The piece depicts a lone frontiersman seeking shelter on the lee side of...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 4: Patch Knife and Display Stand by: Verlin and Denise Cossel

Artist Verlin Cossel is a regular contributor to the CLF Fundraising Auction, and his creation for this year’s event is a unique take on a frontier classic. Cossel used high-carbon steel to craft this handy patch knife on a coal forge. The blade sports a richly aged patina and is paired with an antler handle, a poured pewter bolster, and an engraved coin silver butt plate. This handy-sized knife has a 3 ¼” long blade and measures in at 6”...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 5: Engraved Frontier Belt Knife by: Heinz Ahlers and Paul Young

This knife is a collaboration by Heinz Ahlers and Paul Young. The 6 1/2-inch blade was forged at Woodbury in the style of “hammer close to the finish product”. The 1084 carbon steel has been left in its tempered blue color. The blue contrasts nicely with the copper bolster and rivets. Copper was used by native Americans who obtained pure copper ore from deposits on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Upper Michigan. This knife honors that tradition. The bolsters and...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 6: Document Box by: Kerry Masarik, Jeff Gier, Shelly Gier, and Jamie Gier

Document boxes were a staple of every household. Compact and decorative, they offered a way to protect privacy. This item is a collaborative project by Kerry Masarik, Jeff Gier, Shelly Gier, and includes work by Jamie Gier. It began with the concept from accomplished fiber artist Kerry Masarik of Horn and Fiber. She created printed cotton fabric using natural vegetable dyes of cutch and pomegranate. The pattern was printed with handmade blocks, steamed to set the dyes, then rinsed using...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 7: Hunting Bag by: Sarah Miller

For this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction, Pennsylvania artist Sarah Miller has contributed her considerable skills with the creation of an outstanding hunting bag that’s both eye-catching and well-made. The gusseted bag is constructed of richly colored vegetable-tanned cowhide, and is hand sewn with linen thread. The bag features an additional interior pocket and is fitted with iron rings and buckles. Measuring roughly 8 x 11 ½ inches, Miller’s stunning pouch is accented with a contrasting hair-on calf hide panel on...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 8: Whimsical Neck Knife by: Henry Bowman and Jonah Cain

Jonah Cain and Henry Bowman created this whimsical neck knife set for the 2025 Contemporary Longrifle Association annual auction. The double-edged dagger with mastodon tusk man-in-the-moon finial fits snugly inside what appears to be half a John Tansel engraved powder horn smashed to become a knife sheath. The power of good mentors is evidenced in this joint effort. Jonah was the last apprentice to study under Hershel House. Henry studied under Roland Cadle. Both artists attribute their success to these...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 9: Bag, Horn, and Knife Set by: Terry Smith

The bag is made from one piece of bark tanned deerskin (tanned by Larry Callahan), hand sewn with waxed linen thread. It has an interior pocket sewn to the back of the bag. The bag strap is a mixture of deer, vegetable-tanned cowhide, and a piece of original woven strap. The powder horn was made many years ago by Rick Froelich. It is attached to the strap via bark-tanned deer strips. There is an original knife attached to the back of...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 10: Folding Knife: Scott Summerville

This is a Barlow-style knife. A very common 18th-century design. Originally, the Barlow name was written in 2 lines, Bar Low. This knife is made of 1095 high-carbon steel. The blade has a typical 18th-century spear point tip. The bolster is decorated with raised ribs found on some of the better 18th-century folding knives. The scales are aged osage orange, having spent the last 75 years as a fence post.

2025 Fundraising

Lot 11: 3 Signed Prints by: Art Hamley

3 different signed and numbered (limited editions of 100 each) prints. Size 8x11. They are giclee prints of Haudenosaunee warriors. They’re colored pencil originals done from photographs, and I have permission from the photographer to use them as references.

2025 Fundraising

Lot 12: Willow Basket by: Vicki Hast

This gathering basket was woven from European cultivated willow that was raised and harvested on the Hast Farm in Ohio County, Kentucky. The intricately woven willow stems are nicely contrasted with a handwoven carrying strap, made from 8/2 cotton rug warp and wool, which was created on an Inkle loom. The pattern is a Baltic pickup weave. I have been a basket maker for over 2 decades and work more now with the harvested willow, white oak, poplar, and...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 13: Bag and Horn Set by: Tim Sanner and Jeff Luke

The bag and horn set represents a well-made set that could have been carried in the early 1800s in the eastern region of the country. The set was built around a gorgeous, banded horn by Tim Sanner, which serves as the centerpiece for the rig. The horn utilizes a natural gray/green coloration, and features turned horn bands affixed with hardwood pins, and a turned Sapelli wood base plug stained with cherry coloration, in the Berks County style. The finished...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 14: Quilled Hat Band 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 hasn’t 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 year’s fundraising auction. Typical of Tucker’s work, the piece is constructed with historically appropriate materials. The artist...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 15: William D. Smith Tribute Bag by: Shelly Gier

All projects recently came to a halt so that I could complete this in time for the CLF live auction submissions. As previously posted, Bill Smith was a HUGE influence in my leather journey. He taught me all he knew and would generously continue with advice, saying, “We won’t be around forever, and SOMEONE has to take this knowledge to continue the trade.” If I had a question, he never hesitated to help. I decided to add a donation to the...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 16: Knife with Quilled Sheath by: James Blake

This quilled knife sheath has been a truly rewarding project to work on. It’s inspired by an original piece collected among the Chippewa, according to its documented collection history. The original sheath is housed in the collections of the National Museum of the American Indian, and it served as the primary reference for creating this example. James Blake was fortunate to examine and photograph the original sheath firsthand. offering invaluable insight from his study of the original piece. His documentation...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 17: Fraktur by: Angela Jones McMullen

Period home decor is always a popular offering at the CLF Fundraising Auction, and this year’s event will feature a delightful piece by Angela McMullen. McMullen, a well-known folk artist in the CLA, has contributed one of her colonial-inspired Pennsylvania Dutch fraktur paintings. The piece depicts a pleasant pair of birds flanked by a traditional floral motif. The artist points out that “A lot of birds in frakturs I’ve studied were whimsical, as are the flowers too. In this piece of...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 18: Powder Horn and Hunting Bag by: Lawrence Fiorillo and Todd Hambrick

It may be that one could date this set by the size of the powder horn. I see it as 18th century, possibly used by a long hunter or someone who hunts more than most. Both pieces are homemade. Cowhide was used for the bag with a course hemp thread for stitching. The bag shows considerable age. Despite its simple design, it was well-made and well taken care of. The straps are ¾” cowhide and adjust with an old...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 19: The Missouri Boys/Gals Set: A Tribute in Craft and Tradition by: Travis Bauer, Tiauna Friend, and Harris Maupin

This finely handcrafted trio—a shooting pouch with woven strap, powder horn, and bag knife—captures the enduring legacy of 18th and 19th-century American craftsmanship, brought to life by the skilled hands of modern Missouri artisans. The shooting pouch, made by Travis Bauer, is both rugged and refined—a faithful interpretation of the kind carried by trappers, militiamen, and long hunters. Its front panel was painted by Tiauna Friend in the Pennsylvania German folk style of fraktur. Supporting the pouch is a handwoven strap...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 20: Sash by: Christine Tolbert

This sash is special because it came to life during the Gunmakers’ Fair at Kempton in late July 2024. That was a weekend of perfect summer weather, with no rain expected, so I was able to set up my floor loom outside under my tent on the midway to weave this sash to donate for the 2025 CLF Auction. With a warp of linen thread in brown, rust, and dark red, and a tawny brown wool weft, the sash measures...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 21: Frontier’sman Knife by: Lisa Williams

Black powder shooters can never own too many knives, and artist Lisa Williams created a frontier classic for this year’s CLF Fundraising auction. Forged from 1084 steel, the blade features a robust, hand-forged patina on a traditional profile. It’s an attractive collector-grade knife that nonetheless features a razor-sharp blade that will function well in the field. The blade is fitted with osage orange scales and attached with brass pins in a subtle decorative pattern. The scales also feature an exquisitely...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 22: Dutch Cap and Mittens by: Emily Burns

Reliable headgear for all weather conditions is an absolute must for the active outdoorsman. This year’s CLF Fundraising Auction will present the perfect set for bidders at the annual event. Emily Burns has contributed a matching set of cap and mittens that are both comfortable and period-appropriate. The cap is similar to a traditional Dutch sailor’s cap, often referred to as “muts.” Burns handspun the yarn for the project. The brown portions are from naturally brown merino wool, which contrasts...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 23: Appalachian Style Hunting Bag by: Scott Bryan

For this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction, Pennsylvania artist Scott Bryan has created a classic hunting bag that evokes the legacy and heritage of the early frontier. Bryan’s heart-shaped, Appalachian-style bag is made from richly colored bark-tanned deerskin. The front flap is decorated with a trio of inlaid turkey tracks in a hue that tastefully contrasts the color of the bag. The interior of the bag, which features an additional pocket, is lined with tapestry material. The bag’s strap is a...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 24: Knife by: Chad Matthews

This knife is by Chad Matthews of Silver Creek, GA. I forged the knife from 1084 high-carbon steel. The handle is an elk antler tine and sports a poured pewter bolster. I wanted to create a knife that captured the look and style of the 18th century, one that may have been seen in a frontier family’s home.

2025 Fundraising

Lot 25: Belt Pouch by: Jay Blain

This carefully crafted belt pouch has been donated to the Auction by Jay Blain. The pouch is a replica of a dispatch case carried by Silas Mann in the fight at the North Bridge during the Battle of Concord and Lexington. This is very neatly made with precise stitching and self-loops cut in the backside for belt carry. The cover flap has a locking loop to secure the contents, as did the original. The dispatch case or belt pouch...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 26: Cooper Knife by: Jack Bligh

In 1770, when Samuel Hearne was exploring the Great Slave Lake in Canada, he encountered a tribe of Aboriginal people who used copper-bladed, yellow-colored knives. Fur traders soon began to refer to these people as Yellowknives, and the tribe’s home became known as Yellowknife, currently the capital of the Northwest Territories in Canada. The copper was as much as 96% pure and was forged with hard rocks. I have tried to duplicate the process by melting scrap copper into an...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 27: Hunting Bag, Powder Horn and Knife Set by: Lawrence Fiorillo, Tyler Mazer, and Eric Borneman

The hunting bag measures about 7” square, with the front panel and flap made from a hair-on cowhide. The hair is unusually long and brindled in color. The flap and opening edges are neatly bound with pigskin. The pocket edge is folded over and stitched for a smooth look and feel. Tyler’s stylish blade was made using 1084 high-carbon steel that has been aged. The tang is nicely fitted with a turned handle of English Boxwood and a steel...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 28: Longrifle by: David Allen

David Allen contributed a breathtaking longrifle that began as a Chambers Early Lancaster kit. The rifle will make an excellent choice for an active hunter or target shooter. The rifle is built around a 44” C weight, .54 caliber swamped barrel and features the legendary reliability of a Chambers lock. Allen added subtle relief carving around the entry pipe, the tang, and on the wrist. The rifle also exhibits carved decorative molding on the cheekpiece and down the forearm....

2025 Fundraising

Lot 29: Native Style Bag and Horn Set by: Ronald Turner, Kyle Lively, and Christine Tolbert

This Native style bag and horn set was made to accompany a Native style gun. The set was crafted by three 2024 CLA New and Aspiring Artists - Ron Turner, Christine Connolly Tolbert of Once Upon a Loom, and Kyle Lively of Three 21 Leatherworking. The horn was hand made by Ron Turner and measures 15.5” around the outer curve. It is a Native style horn with scrimshawed geometric designs. The base plug has been hand shaped and hand fitted,...

2025 Fundraising

Lot 30: American Stocked “Composite” or Parts Gun by: Robert Wolfe

For this project, I tried to imagine that sometime in the 1760s, a Native American gave a worn-out early English trade gun to a gun stocker and asked him to build a new gun. The lock was missing or beyond saving, so the gun stocker provided a Germanic lock. Once the stocker completed his work, the Native American added his own trade bead decoration. For a stock pattern, I chose a parts gun from the collection of the Colonial Williamsburg...

2025 Fundraising