Friday, July 31, 2015

Hunting Pouch by Clifton Hicks





Photos by Clifton Hicks.

Antique Powder Horn from the Gary Ganas Collection

$100.00 plus shipping in CONUS SOLD
contact artriser@mindspring.com









Photos by Jan Riser.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

2015 CLF Auction Item: Early Virginia Rifle by Dan Fruth

The 2015 Contemporary Longrifle Foundation Fund Raising Auction will take place on Friday, August 14th at 5:00PM in Lexington, Kentucky at the Annual CLA Meeting and Show. The Grand Ball Room - Lexington Convention Center, 400 West Vine Street, Lexington, Kentucky.

Early Virginia Rifle by Dan Fruth

Dan Fruth is donating a pre Revolutionary War styled rifle. Dan handled the original he based this rifle on and took the measurements used. This is a Valley of Virginia styled gun, perhaps from Augusta County. The barrel, by Ed Rayle, was copied from dimensions taken from the original. It is 43" long and 1 1/8" breech at the breech, with a 50 calibre rifled bore. The lock is a Chambers Colonial Virginia. The trigger guard and butt plate came from Reeves Goering, and were cast from original furniture believed to have come from the same shop as this original rifle. The butt plate was swaged to bring it to it's correct width, a whopping 2 3/16" wide! The walnut stock was harvested years ago from native Ohio black walnut, and the finish is a leaded linseed oil finish Dan makes himself. The trigger reach is 13". 

Dan has been building muzzleloading rifles for over 40 years. He worked with Jack Haugh on his first rifle in 1972 and Jack has long been a mentor.

This rifle has the look of a working gun of the pre Revolutionary War era, and handles quite well. Original early rifles from the Valley of Virginia are difficult to date precisely. With the wide heavy butt this rifle may have been considered quite old fashioned by 1775 and could date as early as 1750. It has a very English style to the butt, wrist, and comb, almost like a mid 18th century Twigg fowler. The barrel would be in keeping with a Southern transition from the short barreled rifle to a longer length comparable to a fowler. The wrist and butt arguably are not yet the fully evolved American Longrifle and lock is in keeping with the 1750 - 1775 time period. This rifle's sweeping, bold architectural lines exhibit the subtle blending of German and English design influences on the rifle culture in the Shenandoah Valley. We can certainly say this contemporary rifle is in the style of the third quarter of the 18th century. This original rifle was nick-named "woods runner" by Earl Lanning and that seems appropriate for its architecture and furnishings.  

These early style rifles from along the Great Wagon Road were the tools of the legendary Virginia Rifleman who made an impression on George Washington as early the battle in Jumonville's Glen. The same style continued in use through the American Revolution and spread North, South and West along the early trade routes. Such a rifle could have been a prized – and deadly tool in the hands of a back-country Virginia rifleman in the Revolution. Such rifles also certainly found their westward through the deer hide trade, which had a profound influence on the southeastern tribes and back-country settlers alike, and spread the rifle culture along, through and beyond the Appalachians to the Mississippi.  

The rifle as shown in the photographs is before a gentle aging was applied. This is a remarkable contemporary rendering of a traditional early Virginia rifle. CLF is proud to offer this rifle at auction and thanks Dan Fruth for making it available for the 2015 CLF Auction. Dan is a regular at the CLA Annual meeting, stop by his table at the show.





Dan Fruth's contact information is:
330-410-6483
Jellowaydan@gmail.com
http://dfruthflintlocker.blogspot.com


Photos supplied by CLF with copy by Heinz Ahlers.

Knife by Bruce Horne from the Gary Ganas Collection

$150.00 plus shipping CONUS SOLD
contact artriser@mindspring.com



Photos by Jan Riser.

Friends of Glen Mock

Friends,

A friend and fellow CLA member, Glen Mock  is facing a devastating life’s challenge and we have formed a group we’ve named Friends of Glen Mock to help Glen and Connie through this tough time.  Would you please read the information below and help if you can.  But also, very importantly, send on to others by email, Facebook or whatever method you use for social media.  Maybe if we can reach as many people as can, we all can make a difference. 

Thanks,
David Wright

“You’ve got cancer.” 
Those three words will change your life.

Once told this, a person’s life is altered forever. Some people through medical intervention and treatment do overcome this disease – others are not so fortunate.  

Glen Mock heard those words from his doctor in April of this year when he was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. After immediate surgery which removed 2 ½ feet of his colon, gall bladder, part of his pancreas, and 13 lymph nodes, he was hospitalized in intensive care for several weeks, followed by an additional hospital stay for evaluation Those 25 days in the hospital, during which he was fed intravenously, followed by months of recuperation at home have kept Glen from making a livelihood. When you are self-employed, not producing means no income. 

Glen and Connie run a small cattle operation near Mercer, Missouri but Glen is also a multi-talented artist; making knives, powder horns, and creating silver work. But foremost he is a knife maker, forging his own blades and hafting them in a variety of materials, from deer antler to various woods; making primitive style riflemen’s knives to elegant Bowies.  

They are now faced with significant and potentially devastating medical expenses not entirely covered by Medicare. Cancer surgery, coupled with a lengthy stay in the hospital all adds up to exorbitant medical bills and Glen is currently unable to supplement his income through his knife making. 

So, friends of Glen and Connie have decided to help. We have created the Glen Mock Relief Fund to help offset their extensive medical bills and loss of income.

Renowned artists of the Longrifle Culture, Frank and Lally House have already generously offered to help. Frank has hand forged one of his hand made knives and Lally has made a specially designed quilled sheath for it. Both of these artists’ works are eagerly sought by collectors. This one of a kind work will be given away at the Annual CLA Show on August 15 in Lexington. 

This is not a “raffle” but rather a request for a donation to help Glen and Connie – any amount you may feel compelled to give.  And if you wish, your name will be dropped in the jar for a drawing of the Frank and Lally House knife and sheath at the CLA show on Saturday in Lexington, KY. Someone will take home this exquisite work of art by two talented and generous artists and at the same time help two deserving people. If you can’t make it to the show and wish to make a donation and have your name included for the drawing, it’s easy to do (see information below).

The doctors have said there is a good chance the cancer will return.  Glen knows this, but in his always optimistic outlook, he has an upbeat attitude about it and simply states, “I’m going to beat this”. 

Can you help?

Send donations directly to Glen and Connie at:
Mockville Land and Cattle Company, PO Box 473, Mercer, MO 64661

If you wish to be included in the drawing for Frank and Lally’s knife and sheath, make your check to Glen Mock but mail to Lally House, Box 43, Woodbury, KY 42288.  Be sure to include your contact information and Lally will make out a card for you to be in the drawing. Your donation must be received by August 11 to be included.

We ask for your support to Glen and Connie during their difficult time. Not only through donating financially, but please forward on to all your friends through Facebook, email and phone to make them aware of their dire situation. 

Thanks for your help.
Friends of Glen and Connie Mock

Copy and photos supplied by David Wright.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

New Work by Jim Chambers







































Photographed at the 2015 Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show by Jan Riser.