Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Ian Pratt Memory Knives


(a slightly different view of the handles)

Photos by Maryellen Pratt.

Mike Agee Bag





Photographed at the 2010 CLA Show by Jan Riser.

Monday, November 29, 2010

English Flintlock Carriage Pistol by Steve Lodding

This fine double barrel pistol measures just at 15" in overall length. Its 8" fine twist damascus barrels & rib have 24 karat gold bands and maker's mark at the breech and a sterling front sight. The barrels hook into the tang which is fully engraved with scroll and acanthus leaf elements, a sun burst, and 2 symetrically blended wolf heads. The tang screw is also engraved with typical flower motif. The locks are reworked L&R Mantons with gold lined pans. Both locks have the cock screws engraved and the maker's name on the the right lock.The pistol is stocked in fine figured English Walnut, and the grip is chequered except for a plain strip on each side. Both locks are orperated with the one trigger. The right barrel discharges first when both locks are on full cock. The trigger guard, entry pipe, and escutcheon plates are all Sterling and engraved as you will see in the photos. The pistol shoots fine!! A .600" round ball with heavy patch and 40 grns. of FF powder worked just fine in the few shots I took to check the ignition.









Copy and photos supplied by Steve Lodding.

Amanda Webster Quilled Small Bag


Photographed at the 2010 Lake Cumberland CLA Show by Jan Riser.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Randy Hedden Hunting Pouch and Horn

This hunting pouch and horn were designed and made with the small game hunter hunter in mind. It would work well with any small caliber hunting rifle. It is a small pouch and horn, but is large enough to carry the necessaties for a one to two day hunt for small game.

The pouch is made of veg tanned calf hide and measures 5-1/2" wide by a scant 5-1/2" long. The pouch flap is lined with blue striped mattress ticking. The strap is 1" wide and is adjustable from 44" to 49" by means of a vintage brass English harness buckle. The horn measures 9" long on the outside curve and 2-1/8" wide at the red painted cherry buttplug. Extras on the pouch include a pair of torpedo type game hangers, a 30 grain powder measure made from horn and a handmade brass wire vent pick. The brass wire vent pick is sturdy enough for continued use yet small enough to clean out a 1/16" vent hole without any wear or damage to the vent hole. The powder measure and vent pick are attached in a manner so that they can be up and out of the way at most times, but can be quickly accessed when needed.

Both the pouch and horn have been lightly aged.








Copy and photos supplied by Randy Hedden.

Accessories by Mel and Isaac Hankla

Flint Bag and Pan Brush by Mel with the Flints by Isaac

Photo by Robert Weil.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Jerry Fisher Knife and Sheath

I forged this knife from 1084 with an overall length of 9 1/2 inches and a blade length of 5 . The blade features and aggressively etched patina and holds a fine edge. Very sharp! The handle is octagon to round from some of the offcuts of a past rifle build and has great color and warmth. I forged and drift fit the solid copper ferrule and complimented it with an inlet butt cap also of copper . Both have a beaten surface with a nice plum color.

To compliment the nature of this knife I fabricated a standing center seam sheath. The sheath consist of a veg-tanned cowhide liner with pigskin outer, topped off with a scalloped skirt with twisted fringe accented with subtle traces of reds and dark browns. The belt attachment will accommodate a sash or belt to 3 inches.





Copy and photos by Jerry Fisher.

Doll from The Old Pretender

I love this doll for many obvious reasons like her face and patina, but one reason for sure would be her fabric. This is one of the rarest of the rare mid 18th century fabrics that one can find today. It is a early painted Indian cotton print. In its day, this import fabric was not costly like silks and would have been far more utilitarian in use. Because so little of it has survived today, its become such a rare treasure.







it is all about the fabric

Copy and photos from The Old Pretenders.

Friday, November 26, 2010

Tom Condé Garters

Garters from the Amherst collection at the Field Museum in Chicago. The woven part is 2 3/4" wide +/- and 12" long. Plenty of fringe for tying. Black and of course madder-dyed red. I used a "worsted-spun" yarn like many of the original weavings. Worsted-spun is a much smoother and denser yarn than we are used to with the "woolen-spun" yarns that are most popular today for knitting. Some of the techniques used for these garters are kind of neat. The beads that form the pattern in the red section are strung on strands of the same black yarn that is used to weave the rest of the black, and then woven in like the rest. Another cool thing is that the twining at the ends of the weave is done using strands from the weave itself. The fringes seem to not be intentionally plied together but sort of 'happen' as the yarn relaxes and twists on itself. A very close reproduction of the originals in material, color, and techniques. Even to the slight bead pattern variation at the ends of each garter.

Copy and photo supplied by Tom Condé.

Antique Horn

This small antique powder horn measures 11" long, as measured around the outer curve. The horn has a 1-1/4" long raised head.

The body of the horn has severe beetle damage and has a 2" long crack on one side. The 2-1/8" wide, flat butt plug is retained by metal pins and has a domed brass tack set into the butt. The plug is probably a later replacement.


The body of the horn is scrimshaw engraved with a series of folk art style animals including a lion, deer, boar, fox, fish, and others. The horn also has decorative engraved borders. The horn bears the date 1775, and next to it is another date 1807, probably commemorating events in the owner's life?



Copy and photos supplied by Track of the Wolf.