2020 CLA Live Auction: 2020 CLA Live Auction

Length, outside curve: 11 ½”

A reliable powder horn is a necessity for the blackpowder shooter, and this year’s CLF fundraising auction features a truly exceptional example of the horner’s craft by artist Billy Griner.

Griner’s donation is a quintessential example of the southern banded horn. “This particular horn,” explains the artist, “is a contemporary squirrel rifle horn made in my Satilla River style.” The horn measures eleven and a half inches along the long curve, and features three decorative bands turned in suite. The turnip shaped base plug is Griner’s own design and was turned from beautifully figured gunstock maple. “The horn,” says Griner, is intended to be attached “to the small bag typically used to support a squirrel rifle.” 

The entire piece is capped off with a custom spout also of the artist’s design. The spout is a three-piece affair crafted from white tailed deer antler with a copper accent band. The horn’s stopper is made from crape myrtle. Featuring elegant lines and ideal proportions, this stunning horn was colored with the artist’s proprietary blend of dyes, resulting in a piece that features beautifully contrasting patinas. The final finish on the horn is a hand rubbed finish of bear oil, linseed oil, and bees wax.

Artist Billy Griner is a member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association and a Freeman Horner in the Honourable Company of Horners. “I love being able to donate to the CLA,” he says. “It’s a great organization that I will always support.”

For more information on the work of Billy Griner, contact him directly: billy.griner@gmail.com

Copy by By Joshua Shepherd

Photography by H. David Wright

    To see all the Artists' contributions to the 2020 CLF Live Fund Raising Auction, visit our website at http://www.contemporarylongriflefoundation.org/2020-live-auction/

Elisha Bull Style Pistols by Brian Barker

These pistols have barrels made by F.C.I. that are 10" long and .45 caliber. The locks are late Ketlands from Jim Chambers and curly maple wood from Harrison gun stock's. Most of the hardware is made from stirling silver with iron trigger guards.

Copy and photography supplied by Brian Barker.

2020 CLA Live Auction: HORN SPOON & STAND By Henry Bowman

Length: 8 ½”

The horn spoon donated to this year’s CLF fundraising auction by artist Henry Bowman is a unique work of art that’s sure to grace any collection of early American collectibles.

“The inspiration for this piece,” explains the artist, “came while I was looking at photos of 19th-century effigy spoons made by the tribes of the Pacific northwest.” Bowman’s contemporary interpretation of tribal art has resulted in a pleasing tribute to American liberty.

The entire piece, measuring 8 ½” long, is ingeniously crafted from just two pieces of material. The handle of the spoon is shaped from a whitetail deer antler; a bald eagle, also hand carved from the antler, peers over the top of the spoon. For the spoon’s bowl and the eagle's wings, Bowman utilized a single piece of cow horn which was molded, carved, and dyed. The spoon’s bowl also sports an engraving of the timeless opening words to the U.S. Constitution: “We the People.” The spoon comes complete with a custom hardwood display stand.

A longtime enthusiast of early American history, Bowman is a member of the Honorable Company of Horners. For the artist, the most valuable benefit of being a part of the CLA community “is the friendships that I have been blessed with.” “I donated this piece,” explains Bowman, “in the hope of supporting the CLA as it carries the crafts and lifestyle to future generations of artisans.”

For more information on the work of Henry Bowman, contact the artist directly at: hbowman@hughes.net

Copy by Heinz Ahlers

Photography by H. David Wright

To see all the Artists' contributions to the 2020 CLF Live Fund Raising Auction, visit our website at http://www.contemporarylongriflefoundation.org/2020-live-auction/

A Couple of Brass Handled Bowie Knives by John Miller

These are forged from 1084 and I made the handles and sheath hardware out of an old brass tray.   The sheath is wood overlaid with thin leather dyed black with vinegar and iron.   I etched one side of the large blade with a battery charger.  The larger knife was inspired by the work of the 1830s era knife maker Samuel Bell of Tennessee.  

Copy and photos by John Miller.

2020 CLA Live Auction: HUNTING BAG AND KNIFE by Gary Tingler and Casey McClure

Bag: 8 1/2" wide by 9 1/2" deep. Patch knife  9" long.

            Gary Tingler and Casey McClure have created a this simple but extraordinarily well made hunting bag and knife set.  The bag is made of a dark nicely grained buffalo leather with a matching strap.  The edges are welted and show careful stitching, The shape has a nicely tapered bottom and there is a welted interior pocket with a brass button. 

            The Casey McClure knife is a wicked little thing showing Casey’s usual faultless craftsmanship.  The poured pewter bolster and crowned antler handle give this knife a lot of style.  The rawhide lined center seam sheath is attached to the back of the bag with the hilt riding conveniently over the bag.

            This finely crafted Southern bag and knife will compliment any gun.  And fortunately there are a number of horns in the auction and at the CLA show you can use to round this out.

Gary J Tingler

Email: Treeingwalkers@hotmail.com

Phone: 304-704-5892

Casey McClure

Phone: 606 308-4570

Copy by Heinz Ahlers

Photography by H. David Wright

To see all the Artists' contributions to the 2020 CLF Live Fund Raising Auction, visit our website at http://www.contemporarylongriflefoundation.org/2020-live-auction/

Living with a Collection

Brian Anderson, Lisa Jo Crews, Peter Goebel, Earl Lanning, Joseph Privott, Mark Selter, Ed Schweinfurth, Jan Zenver and others not recognized by the CLA crowd.