The House Brothers Project

The Contemporary Longrifle Foundation offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a completely handmade Kentucky Longrifle by Hershel, Frank, and John House.

THE PROGRAM
The Contemporary Longrifle Association is a non-profit organization of collaborative members, who are collectors, makers and students dedicated to the art of contemporary longrifles, accoutrements and related items made after the mid-twentieth century. The Contemporary Longrifle Foundation is the educational and fund raising arm of the Association.

Through the collective efforts of three renowned Kentucky gun makers, Hershel, Frank, and John House, a special handmade longrifle has been created for the CLF as a fundraiser. The proceeds from the "An American Tradition" House Brothers Handmade Flintlock Longrifle Project will enable the Foundation to continue its mission to promote the art of the Kentucky Longrifle and related arts through publications, museum exhibits, grants, and promotion of contemporary artists.

THE RIFLE
This rifle is completely handmade - the forged barrel, the lock, triggers, iron mounted hardware and screws are made by hand in the same tradition as those by American gunmakers in the 18th century. The rifle is built in their nationally recognized style, known as the "Woodbury School", and named for the small Kentucky town in which the brothers grew up. The House Brothers have included many of their personal and unique attributes for which they are so well known. The rifle is relief carved, and sports engraved iron mounts. The patchbox is tastefully engraved with touches of sterling silver overlays and a sterling silver thumbpiece (for a future owner's initials) accents the wrist area. The 41" swamped barrel is rifled in .45 caliber.

The only thing not made by Hershel, Frank, and John is the fine piece of curly maple wood in which the rifle is stocked. This piece of hand selected wood was donated by Freddie Harrison of Bradford, Tennessee. A supplier of stock blanks to muzzle loading gun makers for more than 30 years, Freddie volunteered one of his best pieces of wood for this unique project.

THE GIVEAWAY
The "American Tradition" rifle will be raffled by the Contemporary Longrifle Foundation through a year long program which began with the unveiling of the rifle at the Contemporary Longrifle Association annual show in Lexington, Kentucky in August of 2008. The raffle will conclude at the Lexington show next year in August 2009 when some very lucky person will take home one of history's most unique contemporary longrifles.

Giveaway tickets on the "American Tradition" longrifle will be offered for a donation of $5 each or 5 for $20. This superb once-in-a-lifetime rifle will be awarded to some lucky recipient at a drawing at the Annual CLA show next year, on August 15th, 2009. You do not have to be present to win.










Photos of the building process, the brothers and ticket purchase information can be found at the House Brothers Project web site.

Photos by Ric Lambert, used by permission of David Wright.