Today we're taking a look at the NMLRA Gunmakers Hall Incentive Rifles from Mike Miller and Malchiah Pifer. We can't thank these two craftsmen enough for their contribution and hard work.

Each year, craftspeople from all over the country contribute their skills and abilities to the NMLRA Gunmaker’s Hall to be raffled. The funds generated by these raffles help the NMLRA in its mission to preserve American History through traditional American Crafts as seen in the Gunmaker’s Hall each year.

Your contribution helps us organize classes, lecture series, and books to keep the spirit of the American Craftsman alive and well.

The rifle built by Mike Miller is a .45 caliber rifle that is patterned after an original Enoch Smith rifle from the late 1700s to 1800's. Mr. Smith worked in the Lexington, Kentucky area. A nice piece of curly maple stock was donated by Richard Miller. The “B” weight Rice barrel is 44 inches long. The lock is a late Ketland flintlock that came from Jim Chambers Flintlock. The triggers came from R. E. Davis. The brass and silver inlays were made in his shop.

This year’s Gun Makers Hall incentive rifle was built by a 16-year-old young apprentice of Mike Miller, Malchiah Pifer. This is one of several muzzleloading rifles that he has built. Malchiah was 13 years old when his father and he were introduced to Mike Miller. The purpose of the visit was to shoot a flintlock rifle. They shot one of Mike's rifle. Malchiah really enjoyed shooting the smoke pole. He asked Mike if he would help him build his father a flintlock rifle. Mike said that he would be glad to and the rest is history. Malchiah enjoyed it so much that in time he became Mike's apprentice working in Mike's shop.

You can read more about these exquisite pieces here