Mark and Afeela have been coming to Friendship since 1999, but found their way into the Commercial Row by 2002. Feeling the pull of history because one of his ancestors fought and died at the Battle of Brandywine (Pennsylvania) during the American Revolutionary War, Mark began crafting his specialty, “Burr Oak Knives.”
You can see the difference in my knives, they are made with handmade Damascus steel; a very specialized steel. Mark likes to use fossil mammoth ivory and fossil walrus ivory for the unique handles. Not only are the knives artistically handcrafted, he also makes every sheath unique to the custom knives.
Afeelea Nevling not only contributes to working the business end of Burr Oak Knives, she makes her own specialty line of organic soaps and no artificial colors or ingredients.
Contact them at 989-472-3167; or visit their website: www.burroakknives; or find them on Facebook and Instagram.
Scott Pobjoy
The founder of Cash Manufacturing, Tedd Cash, had been coming to Friendship since the 1960s. His brass accoutrements are well known and in most shooters’ pouches and loading boxes across the country. Scott has worked with Ted for 17 years and when Tedd was ready to retire, Scott purchased the company in October 2005. He added all the Firekit items as well as many other accoutrements. Scott most recently improved Universal Straightline Capper.
The company offers brass Cappers; Gun Hangers; Funnels; Powder Measurers; Ramrod Pipes; Nosecaps; Survivalist Items; Trekker Lanterns; a variety of brass, German Silver and copper Boxes; and many more items for the discerning shooter/hunter. The new and improved Universal Straightline Capper, Swivel and Flip Top powder measurers are much sought items.
Cash Manufacturing Co. Inc. can be contacted at 606-849-5664; office@TDCMFG.com; or visit the website for a full array of the product line at www.TDCMFG.com
Curt Johnson
The “Gunmakers of Illinois, Etc.” has been an NMLRA member since 1968. The booth existed under a former owner, George and Dorothy Shumway, until George passed away. Then it was operated as Curt’s booth until now. Curt Johnson is also the author of Gunmakers of Illinois, 1683-1900, volumes I and II.
Curt carries books on Antique Firearms and Related Items; Antique Firearms & Parts; Trade Silver; Tang Sights for percussion target rifles; Guide Bullet Starters for percussion Rifles are made to order.
Curt makes reproduction “lollipop” tang sights for the countless percussion target rifles that no longer have them. He makes them in various diameters and thread sizes. Custom made guide bullet starters are made to fit those same rifles. Curt Johnson is always interested in buying or photographing guns from early Illinois makers.
Curt can be contacted at 815-915-6971; or email at ilgunmkr@yahoo.com
Lee Fry and Charles Kirkland
Dixie Gun Works is a household name to everyone in the muzzleloading culture. Their catalogues of 620+ pages are required reading for all who want to know anything about the sport. The founder Turner Kirkland has been coming to Friendship since the 1950s, selling items out of his car’s trunk before the Sheep Sheds and Commercial Row came into being. The company has been in Commercial Row for many years. They are open for the Spring and Fall Shoots to take care of customers’ many needs.
As you can see from Margaret Miller holding the new Pedersoli Double Barrel Flint 20 Gauge Shotgun, Dixie is a knowledgeable and fun place to visit at the Friendship Sheep Sheds. They stand ready to share shooting supplies, antique gun parts, black powder guns and accessories.
Contact Dixie Gun Works at 1-800-238-6785; Lee.fry@dixiegunworks.com; or visit their website at www.info@Dixiegunworks.com
E. T. Harrison
Little Creek Long Rifles has been coming to Friendship for 17 years. We supply Long Rifles, Smooth Bores, Flint Locks and Jewelry. Our specialty is to provide fine Rifles and Smooth Bores for competitors and hunters.
Contact E. T. Harrison at 731-926-6418; or email tngunmaker@gmail.com
Charles Burton
FCI Barrels (Flintlock Construction Inc.) was established by Burton in 2007. He creates custom muzzleloading rifle and smoothbore barrels that are made from 12L14 steel and are shot for group before shipping. Caliber sizes range from .29 to .69, depending on the size and type of barrel ordered. Smoothbore Trade Gun barrels with shorter octagons, 2 wedding bands and double taper to thin muzzle up to 48 inches long are available. Pistol barrels are available straight octagon rifled; tapered octagon rifled; swamped; octagon to round smoothbore; tapered round smoothbore; with limited brass barrel inventory (call for availability.)
Contact Burton’s FCI /Barrels at Charles Burton, 250 S. Liddie Way, Morehead, KY 40351; phone 606-780-7709; FLINTLOCKCALB50@HOTMAIL.COM
Flint and Judy Anderson
Flint and Judy Anderson like to state: “We have no business, we just stay busy.” Flint’s dad, Jim Anderson has been coming to Friendship since the 1960s and won in 1973 with a flintlock that Flint was named after. He likes to tell people that he has been there his whole life!
They sell fine gun stock wood in “Spalded Maple, Walnut and Ash.” They also are purveyors of great knives and other interesting items. “Shooters Night” is a big night for us on Monday night in Commercial Row. Come see Judy and Flint and they promise that you will enjoy their booth. We make it fun. You can contact us at 317-509-9731, or email flintanderson@gamail.com
Jack Lewis/Marie Taylor
The Fort Lewis/J.Lewis MFG. Arms began at Friendship in 1948 when they traded and sold out of the back of their car or on trade blankets. The Deer’s Sheep Shed was built in 1964 and they have had the same booths 39&40 since that time. They have raised a family here at the NMLRA in Friendship, Indiana. My daughters helped to raise money to build the first playground. Daughter Marie Taylor and Jack now make the shows together. They are at the same campsite (A4) since 1964. Jack and wife Faye along with their family have had many wonderful times on site, or as he states, “its home away from home for us.”
They deal in Antique Guns; Antique Parts; Bowie Knives and Pocket Knives. They also have some unique display items that include Springfield Locks from 1795-1864; Bayonets; and a .45-70 Trapdoor. Their specialty item is a percussion pistol in most calibers that Jack created in 1966. He only made them 100 of them. J. Lewis Mfg. Arms percussion pistols were shot at the Walter Cline Range firing line and won championships for five years in a row.
You can contact him or Marie Taylor at 740-858-6400; or email marietaylor903@gmail.com
Gary Nebel
“Gary’s Gunsmith Shop” has been onsite in the NMLRA Commercial Row for 51 years. Gary proudly states that he never missed one! His large inventory includes Leather, Buckskin Clothing, and Shooting Bags; all of which are manufactured in his shop. His specialty items include Leather Bags; Buckskin Clothing; Buckskin Pants, Buckskin Shirts, and Buckskin Leather Dresses.
You can contact Gary Nebel at 765-763-6896; email gnebel1@frontier.com; or visit the website www.garygunsmithshop.com
Harvey Brumfield
Harvey’s first trip to Friendship was in 1960 when he was 20 years old. He liked all of what Friendship stood for and offered, so he has been coming back ever since. Four years ago he rented a booth on Commercial Row to sell his guns that were collected over 75 years, as well as to sell friends collection that lost a battle with cancer.
Harvey Brumfield sells Custom Flintlock Rifles, Custom Made Knives, accessories and related items. His specialty is Custom Flintlocks. You can contact him at 859-548-2612; or email at field66@windstream.net
Jim Chambers Flintlocks, Ltd.
Jim and Barb Chambers are familiar faces to flintlock builders everywhere. More than just a pleasant family demeanor, they are skillful purveyors of Original Siler Locks with 22 historically accurate Lock Styles. The locks are also hand tuned with a limited lifetime guarantee. They also offer historically accurate rifle, fowler and pistol kits.
They have had a long history with the NMLRA and Friendship’s Commercial Row. Barb literally grew up with the business. She points out that everything is American made and that they proudly employ U.S. Veterans in their Canler, North Carolina business.
Contact the Chambers at 828-667-8361; email CHAMBERS@FLINTLOCKS.COM; or visit the website www.FLINTLOCKS.COM
Poppen Mocs