School's On | Traditional Craft Classes in the United States | Written by Gary Horne July 2020

Gary Horne

The following is the most comprehensive list of all classes currently offered to those interested in all facets of the muzzleloading hobby and arts. Classes range from those suitable for the beginner to the advanced offered at a number of locations and is priced for almost any budget. Included are some individual instructors that offer classes from their homes like Jim Parker, Mike Brooks and Jack Brooks. Now in 2020 we are looking forward new ones in spite of the Corona virus pandemic. As we move from Spring into Summer of 2020 and it appears certain areas of our country will be opening back up (at least from the guidance we are currently being given), I will be continuing to attempt contact with my known sources for their planned class offerings and update any changes they will be making in regards to the pandemic. I suggest if anyone is interested in a specific class or classes, now is the time to make your plans and get registered after discussing it with the instructor. Classes are already starting to fill. Any others that read about this and are/or plan to offer classes or individual instruction later this year, please contact me so we can get your information included in future issues. Remember the wisdom as one master instructor advised. While most of us are working or staying home from the virus lockdown and “shelter in place” at home, it is a great opportunity to practice what you have learned in past classes for at least 15 minutes a day to master the skills you learned. 

I am trying to break my time up, for instance, 15 minutes on a wood project then study your past notes for 15 minutes and then maybe work on polishing a trigger guard for 15 minutes. My problem, and probably I am not alone, is that I get on a tangent and say spend 5 or 6 hours doing research instead of just actually working with my hands. This is a time of great stress for all Americans and as some experts advise, keep working on something, i.e. a project, a book or a craft, while many of you are still at home. Relish the skills you have learned in your past classes and practice, practice, practice! Finally, while you are working or studying, the greatest tool we have in our personal “tool kit” is the spirit of prayer. This is a time, unmatched by anything in the history of our great country and if we look to God for strength and unity of cause as our Colonial Forefathers did in 1776, the United States will come out of this and prevail greater than it has ever been. God Bless America!   

IMPORTANT NOTE: As we are all advised, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds frequently and stay at least 6 feet away from EVERYONE! Stay safe and healthy!

  2020 Classes

Private Gun Building Classes with Mike Brooks Website: mikebrooksflintlocks.com

Location: New Liberty, Iowa

Contact: Mike Brooks

Phone: (563)508-0612

Email: mike@mikebrooksflintlocks.com

Dates: As scheduled with student

Cost: $200 per day

Now offering gun building classes. I can take up to two students at a time. Attend anytime, just call and make ar-rangements as to when you want to come and how long you would like to attend. We can work on anything you like, kit building, building from a blank, carving, engraving, finish-ing, etc. Stay as long or as little as you like. $200 per day.

Mike Brooks Class

Website: www.nmlra.org

Location: Education Center, Friendship, IN

Contact: Lora Parks (to register) 812-667-5131 ext 224

 lparks@nmlra.org

Mike Brooks for questions 563-508-0612 or  mike@mikebrooksflintlocks.com 

Dates: August 22-27, 2020

Cost: $500 (must purchase kit prior to class) Registration deadline August 10, 2020 see ad on page 59 for more information

Jacobsburg Historical Society Early American Craft Classes Website: www.jacobsburghistory.com

Location: Nazareth, PA 18064

Contact: Mr. Frank Willis

Phone: 908-246-8935

Dates: Fall 2020 – Construct a Leather Hunting bag

(Wednesdays 6 – 9 pm

Cost: $250

Comments: Class sizes are limited and a deposit of $50.00 for all classes will guarantee your place.

NRA Short-Term Gunsmithing Classes

Website: www.montgomery.edu/nra

Location: Troy, North Carolina 27371

Contact: Mr. Alexander Williams

Phone: 877-572-6222 or 910-898-9600

Dates: Muzzleloader Pistol Build – September 14 – 18, 2020

Cost: $495 plus materials for a pistol build or a Jim Chambers pistol kit

Comments: there are numerous other classes offered this year to include: Knifemaking (several offerings during the year); Muzzleloader Wire Inlay with Mr. George Suiter, Instructor; Muzzleloader Pistol Build with Mr. George Suiter, Instructor.

Kit Building/ Finish What You Start / Engraving with Jim Parker

Website: parkerfirearms.com

Location: 3441 Self Creek Rd.

  Warrior, AL 35180 Contact: Jim Parker  Phone: Shop: (205) 680-9219 Cell: (205) 566-1387

Dates: July 13-17, 2020; October 12-16, 2020

Email: calvarylongrifles@gmail.com

Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

Cost: $750 plus materials

My classes hold up to 5 students and the dates for 2020 are July 13th through 17th, and October 12th through the 16th. The classes are 5 days each and the cost is $750 for the 5 days, additional days can be scheduled at $150 a day. Room and board are provided and 3 meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. I have a 5 bedroom, 3 bath home and we provide all bedding, towels and washcloths. I serve a hot breakfast, eggs sausage or bacon, biscuits or toast, juice, milk, coffee. Lunch will be sandwiches and chips and a snack, supper will be another hot meal provided by my dar-ling bride. I require a 50% deposit to hold your spot in the class. The March class fills up fast so if you want that class reserve your spot early. I can also do one on one classes at a cost of $150 a day, please call to set up a private class.

Student provides the pre-carved kit for the class. The student is also to bring as many as possible of the recom-mended tools from the tool list on my website. The goal of the class is to assist the student in building the rifle to a functioning rifle by the end of the 5 day class. That is the barrel, lock, triggers and all hardware mounted on the rifle and functioning. Many students shoot their projects by Friday afternoon. The finish work can be done at home or brought back to finish in another class.

Conner Prairie Arts & Arms Making Workshop Website: www.connerprairie.org

Location: Fishers, IN 46038

Contact: Guest Services

Phone: 800-966-1836 or 317-776-6000

Dates: October 3 - 9, 2019

Cost: $85-525 but varies with the classes taken plus mate-rials

Comments: there are 14 classes offered this year to in-clude: Hearth Cooking, Basic Hornwork and Decorative Techniques, Advanced Hornwork – Screw Tip Powder Horn, Basic Leatherworking, Leather Accoutrements, Ad-vanced Leatherworking, Basic Blacksmithing, Axe Forging, Forging Damascus Steel, Knifesmithing, Folding Knife, Engraving, Stock Carving and Silver Wire inlay.

Village Restorations Fall Horn Workshop

Website: www.villagerestorations.com

Location: Holidaysburg, PA 16625

Contact: info@villagerestorations.com

Phone: 814-696-1379 or fax 814-696-1377

Dates: November 6 - 7, 2020

Cost: $300

Comments: Instruction on Screw Tip Horns by Master Horners Roland Cadle and Art DeCamp; materials and lunch provided each day.

Flintlock Pistol Building Classes with Jack Brooks Website:jsbrookslongrifles.com

Location: Englewood, Colorado

Contact: Jack Brooks

Phone: (303)789-4029

Email: jsbrookslongrifles@gmail.com

Dates: As scheduled with students

Cost: $200 per day

Dear Students and Friends,

I wanted to share with you about my latest, ongoing, class in my new studio class room.  We started a flintlock pistol class in January which meets once a month, usually the last Sat-urday of the month.  The class filled quickly with 6 students before I had a chance to offer it to everyone.  I have had requests to offer an additional session of the same class.  If you are interested, I would like to invite you to join the fun.  

It will probably take 9 to 12 days to complete the pistol.  So meeting one day a month for 8 hours will mean that the pistols should be finished by Christmas!  This class is ideal for local students or those close enough to make a monthly trip to the Denver area.

My goal is to teach "everything you ever wanted to know about making a flintlock Kentucky pistol".  So starting with an assembled lock, a block of curly maple, and barrel, each student will make a complete pistol.  Every step from hand inletting an octagon barrel to staining and applying stock finish will be covered, including sand casting a brass trigger guard.

I have chosen a classic Kentucky pistol by A. Schweitzer, circa 1790, to copy.  This pistol came through my shop for restoration several years ago and I made a detailed measured drawing and photographed it. The pistol is full stock, curly maple, brass mounted, decorated with relief carving around the barrel tang, engraved silver inlays.  I also made a copy of the Schweitzer pistol and have attached a few pictures of it.  Building this pistol is a good place for beginners to start because it has a little of everything a Kentucky rifle maker would need to know except how to make a patch box.  Also the time required to make a pistol is less than a rifle though the techniques are the same.

So if you would like to take this class, please let me know.  The class is limited to 6 students.  The cost is $200 per eight hour day and we are hoping to start in April.