Contemporary Makers Portraits: Andy Mock

I first started making rifles in 1978. These first Rifles were basic Leman style pieces. My mentor was a wonderful guy that most people really liked. His name was Bill Keel. Both Bill and I had a strong interest in Hawken rifles, and that is what I wanted most to build. Then suddenly my interest changed in about 1980 to Tenn. rifles and then about ten years ago I began to primarily focus on rifles and pistols of John and Elisha Bull. Right now thats where I am, my production is very low and I still have an interest in Hawkens. My favorite rifles to recreate are in the style of the Bulls. My rifles are not copies, but rather pieces that I try to make look like they came from the Bull shop. I am currently finishing up a John Bull and then I am planning to take a break and then start a Baxter Bean style rifle. I got my basic training from Keel, but I am one of these people who enjoys learning new ways to do things. Some other people whom I  have learned from were, the late Myron Carlson, Cliff Gilbreath, and other generous guys who have shared information on how to make and do things-in the historically correct way. Having old rifles to study has been invaluable, of course.

This is the rifle Andy is holding. More pictures of this rifle can be seen here.

More of Andy's work can be seen here.

Copy by Andy Mock with photographs taken at the 2012 Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show by Jan Riser.