This post appeared first at NMLRA.org, home of Muzzle Blasts Magazine
Insurance and gun ranges | Colton Fleetwood on Indiana Senate Bill 9 | Muzzle Blasts Podcast
An original Augusta County Virginia | Original Flintlock from 1750’s
Longrifle made in Augusta County, Virginia Circa 1750s. This is a quintessential Virginia frontier workhorse rifle, which likely saw more than a century of service. At .62 caliber, it has an extremely large bore for a rifle. It is a rare example of a French and Indian War era rifle, in a conflict and time mostly comprised of smoothbore guns.
This is a very early relief carved longrifle attributed to Augusta County, Virginia School of longrifle gunsmiths. Possibly made by John Hannah, Augusta County Gunsmith or from the Augusta County Gun Factory in Staunton, VA. It is very possible that it was made by John Hannah. John was among the earliest gunsmiths known to have worked in Augusta County, Virginia. Prior to 1739, the Hannah family settled in Augusta County on land southwest of Staunton, Virginia on Colliers Creek (Colliers Creek lies southwest of Lexington, VA in present day Rockbridge County).
They settled on land acquired from Benjamin Borden who had been the recipient of the Borden Land Grant in 1738. In 1754, John Hannah agreed to teach his indentured servant, John Mitchell, the art of a blacksmith and gunsmith. In 1768, John built a mill on Colliers Creek.Based on his inventory of tools recorded after his death in 1782, he was a blacksmith, white-smith, silversmith, and gunsmith. Early southern wooden patchbox longrifles attributed to a Virginia maker are rare.
This longrifle was owned for many years by George Shumway. There is wonderful early carving on the check piece and the longrifle retains a period patchbox lid which may be the original patch box cover. The check side of this longrifle was subjected to heat from a fire in George Shumway’s home. The damage to the wood was minimal and the wood was sucessfully stabilized after the fire.
The lock was converted to flint by Alan Guthchess (Curator at Fort Pitt). Alan commented that this was his favorite “frontier longrifle”. This longrifle was on display at Fort Pitt in their renowned French and Indian War display, “Captured by Indians” in 2015 – 2016, along with the original spike tomahawk I posted yesterday.
Photos from the 2020 New Year's Day Shoot
Samuel Linnell and the War of 1812 | An Excerpt
Shadows in the Forest - Prickett's Ft & Mark Baker
School of the Longhunter concludes with Mark A. Baker and some of his discussion
School of the Longhunter concludes with Mark A. Baker and some of his discussion Music by D.Baird copyright 2014 Used by permission of the artist
What’s on your workbench, Malachiah Pifer?
Good morning from the workbench of Malachiah Pifer, student of gunsmith Mike Miller. We’ve been watching Malachiah’s progress for a while now. It’s great to see a young man pursuing this craft with such enthusiasm and skill.
Thank you for sharing Malachiah, and thank you Mike Miller for passing on your craft.
Thank you Jeff Luke for running the “Traditional American Craftsman” Facebook group for craftsmen of all skill levels and experience to share work and discuss traditional craft.
Muzzleloading Basics, an excerpt from Guns & Ammo Magazine
Our friends at Hodgdon Powder shared this great excerpt on muzzleloading basics from Author Dave Emary and Guns & Ammo Magazine.
“For all you muzzleloader hunters headed out this season, be sure to check out January’s issue of Guns & Ammo Magazine for a nice write-up on our GOEX black powders and Pyrodex and TripleSeven substitutes from our good friend Dave Emary.”
Starting with blackpowder’s origin in China in the 9th century and continuing through modern black powder substitutes, author Dave Emary brings a comprehensive look at our beloved powder’s history.
Announcing the NMLRA Reenactor Directory
We are working to build an up to date directory for Reenactors and Living Historians in the United States. This includes Military Groups, Historic figures, and Demonstrating Craftspeople.
If you'd like to be included in our directory, please fill out the form on our website and we will get you added and promoted!
There is no fee to submit or be promoted, we only want to help events find reenactors and reenactors find events.
Go to the link below to submit the 4 question form and be included in our directory and promtional queue.
The mystery of a naked flintlock from 1815
While on the road, we stop in to a muzzleloading gunsmith Allen Hunter's shop to see what he's been building, little did we know he had his hands on a mysterious hardware-less flintlock. Tune in as we discuss different signs of what may have happened over 200 years ago.
2020 BPCR Nationals Dates at the Ridgeway Rifle Club
Here are the dates for the 2020 Nationals at The Ridgway Rifle Club.
BPCR Scope July 28-29
BPCR Iron July 30-31
PCLAR August 3
SBLAR August 4
LAR August 5-6
SB Warm-Up August 8
SB Nationals/Monarch Cup August 9-10-11
HP Nationals August 13-14-15
New video from the Black Powder Maniac!
Boone’s Trace Biathlon 2020
How to make your own Inletting Chisel | DIY Muzzleloader building tools
Get started with Living history and Muzzleloaders with these books
We’re always on the hunt for good resources to share with anyone looking to learn more about muzzleloading and black powder. These books might look a bit dated, but they are old favorites from our members.
Click the cover to be taken to a page where you can view or purchase each book.
Whether you are wondering how to get started in reenacting, or a veteran of many encampments, these books have something for you! Learn how to select the time period that's right for you, join a reenactment unit, and get the clothing and equipment needed. These books offer a variety of knowledge, whether you are wanting to focus on muzzleloading or living history.
If you’d like to join in on the conversation, head on over to our NMLRA Facebook Group! The group is open to anyone who is interested in Muzzleloaders and living history as long as they follow the rules.
Find out more about the NMLRA
