By Ben Quearry

Greetings from Indiana.

Well, it’s hot again. Dang if spring didn’t scoot right by and now it’s summer. It’s been raining so much nobody wants to go out and shoot. Weather seldom stopped our forefathers though. Even great battles of the civil war were fought in the rain until the rain got so hard both sides could no longer fire and that was seldom. The slow light rain we’ve been having today did not even slow our ancestors down. So yeah, time to get out and practice.

When not outside enjoying the rainy weather, I’ve been making some small wood chisels in my shop. Little narrow chisels that can get down into the tight channel of a Southern mountain rifle tang. Handy for those slim little Bean style side plates too. Making these chisels involves hot forging the shape, grinding, hardening, tempering, fitting a handle then finally stoning the edge. Seems like a lot of work, but time spent making a good tool will save you many times over the effort put into its construction. There is also the satisfaction of having made it yourself.

We are going to have some fun at Gunmaker’s Hall at the next shoot. There will be a display of contemporary maker’s work in the old cabin. At the Pavilion we will be working on hand reaming barrels, hand rifling, stock carving and engraving to name a few things we will be doing. All this is free of charge and the public is welcome, not only to observe but to ask questions and participate. We will also be working on the ADA Collaboration rifle project. During the shoot there will be instructional and entertaining videos playing. I’m trying to get some live music put together for the evenings. Of course, there will be popcorn around the campfire.

We will be having the September Gunmaker’s Match on the Monday afternoon of the shoot. The rules are: if you made it, you can shoot it in the match. The target is hand-made and painted by the previous year’s winner. Last year Bill Hoover took the September prize. The bull’s eye is placed on the target in a location known only to the maker. The target is then wrapped in paper so the shooter cannot see the bull; you take your shot at the target and hope for the best. This gives a measure of chance to the shoot so you cannot win by accuracy alone. At the end of the match the target is unwrapped, and the winner is announced. This year the winner gets to keep the target and will receive 25 tickets to the Gunmaker’s Hall drawing and a handmade knife made by me. Second place (string measure) will receive 10 tickets and third place will receive 5 tickets. This is a departure from previous matches when the only prize for the winner was to make next year’s target. Now you get a hand-made knife and entered to win one of two rifles or any of the other prizes. After the match we will be having refreshments at Gunmaker’s Hall. So, plan to shoot the Gunmaker’s match, come by the hall afterward and have some fun.

Speaking of the drawing, we are going to have the Gunmaker’s Hall Giveaway in September. There are some great prizes this year. We will be giving away 2 handmade flintlock rifles, one by Mike Miller and the other by Malchiah Pifer. There are bags, horns, knives and numerous other items too. All will be on display in Gunmaker’s Hall during the shoot. This giveaway not only highlights the work of some of today’s best contemporary craftsman but gives you the opportunity to own a piece of their work. 

We are still looking for donations for the drawing. If you or someone you know would like to contribute to the future of Gunmaker’s Hall and the NMLRA please contact me at gunmakershall@gmail.com . Knives, bags, horns, quilts and long rifle culture Americana are always welcome.  Your work will be on display at Gunmaker’s Hall and featured on the NMLRA website. 

Our Gunmaker’s Hall giveaway ticket sales have been the lowest in years due to COVID-19 cancelation of our June shoot. Fewer ticket sales mean the odds of you winning will be higher. If you have not gotten your tickets for the drawing yet, I highly recommend getting some. If you already have tickets, get some more.  

The schedule of ticket prices for the drawing will remain the same as last year: one ticket for $5, 3 tickets for $10, eight tickets for $20, and 25 tickets for $50. Those who subscribe to the $50 option will have their tickets held separate and entered first into the Incentive drawing for Malchiah Pifer’s rifle. After this drawing, all tickets will be brought together for the main drawing featuring Mike Miller’s rifle. You can purchase tickets at Gunmaker’s Hall during the national shoots, in the magazine and on the NMLRA website nmlra.org. You may copy tickets printed from magazine, but please make sure the size stays the same. If you cut out the tickets from the magazine, please trim them to size. Tickets will be printed the month this article appears and each month until the September issue. Send your tickets and money to the NMLRA, PO Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021. You could win one of two custom flintlock rifles or any of the other custom items provided to our drawing. We would appreciate your support! This drawing is not valid where prohibited by law.