In this episode we sit down with Greg Murry, the craftsman behind the Crockett Longrifle Project.
After having built his first longrifle for his 9-year -old son in the 1990s, Greg was bitten by the bug of muzzleloader building. Having never thought himself an artist, he built 4 muzzleloaders before diving in headfirst into making original works.
Greg's work is not tied to a specific medium, he builds long rifles, knives, tomahawks, accouterments, and creates his own version of hanging art he calls "Steel Canvases".
Listen today to hear Greg's story of getting into the world of muzzleloading and how he stumbled into seeing some of the only original Crockett Longrifles in existence and how he works to preserve their history. Greg shares some wonderful down to earth stories about his life and his work. With historic references to back up his work, this episode is a great point of reference for anyone researching the Crockett Family Longrifles.
Greg delivers an exact copy of the original Crockett rifle with a certificate of authenticity documenting the reproductions serial number, along with a smoke print of the hand-engraved reproduction stamping die of the signature on the original rifle.
See more of Greg's work on Facebook, where he shares delightful daily videos, and on his website, CrockettLongrifle.com
Greg is currently accepting custom work, you can contact him through his website.
Links to what Greg discusses -
The NMLRA Traditional
Longbow Construction Course
Held in Friendship, Indiana
June 14-15 and September 13-14, 2022
Any way that works for you is the best way. There is no one method that is correct.” (Clay Smith)
Part I of this series presented alternatives for solving one of the most vexing problems in the making of a muzzleloading pistol”: “There is little difference between making a rifle and making a pistol-except: how does a smith hang onto a pistol stock while working on it?”
First published in 1985, this series provides a scholarly approach to understanding the technologies which have comprised the gunmaking trade since its inception.
Making muzzleloading pistols is a much-maligned craft. “To a gunsmith, Kentucky pistols leave a lot to be desired. Pistol making is time-consuming and challenges all of the skills required to make a good rifle. A barrel, breech plug, and lock have to be inletted. Triggers, thimbles, nose cap, butt cap, side plate, bolts, screws, sights, ramrod, and stock all have to be created just as they must for a longrifle. To be of use, the hardware has to be of rifle quality.
Seems like people just have a natural talent for doing stuff...making things. Things that aren’t merely functional, sturdy, more or less historically accurate and get the job done – things that look like somebody just ripped them out of 250/260 years ago and stuck ‘em right up in front of your face. Weapons, clothing, accouterments that grab you by your heart-strings and whisper; “Hey, you need to buy me – now”! My friend Chris Crosby is one of those supremely talented, tremendously motivated sort of craftsmen
In April, 2021 the NMLRA was excited to be hosting another leather pouch construction class with Jeff Luke. Jeff has been a great supporter of the NMLRA Education Program and having him back was a lot of fun.
Step into the classroom as Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes teach students how to assemble their own Kibler Longrifle Kits.
Step into the classroom as Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes teach students how to assemble their own Kibler Longrifle Kits. In this video, we follow along as Wayne Estes shows a student how to carve an incised line stock moulding along with some traditional chip carving techniques.
Step into the classroom as Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes teach students how to assemble their own Kibler Longrifle Kits. In this video, we follow along as Wayne Estes shows a student how to fire blue the metal hardware for their Kibler Southern Mountain Rifle Muzzleloader kit