Indiana gunmaker, Jerry
Eitnier has been involved in the sport of muzzleloading for more than 40
years. He joined the National
Muzzle Loading Association in 1973, and later became a charter member of the Contemporary
Longrifle Association in 1991.
In 1987 he built his first
longrifle. Influenced by
Hershel House’s work, he builds guns as he terms them in the style of “the
Hershel House Woodbury School” with iron mounted guns being his specialty. Jerry
wryly comments, “Sometimes I work on the far side of this school. Some of my
work is a little different.”
He has studied under some
of the most noteworthy artists in the field, taking five years of classes at
the Annual Traditional Arts & Arms Making Workshops at Conner Prairie
Living History Museum in Fishers, IN.
There he was taught by gunmakers Hershel House, John Schippers, Mark
Silver and blacksmith Melvin Lytton and others. Additionally, he’s had the
opportunity to work with Frank House down in southern Illinois. Jerry is quick to credit others for his
success, “Most of what little I know I learned by doing but so many people
have helped me along the way and I can't thank them enough.” Today, besides
building firearms he has broadened his talents into the arts of blacksmithing,
crafting knives and making powder horns.
Fellow CLA member and
gunmaker, Mark Thomas has this to say about Jerry’s work; “He likes to forge
the iron for the hardware on his iron mounted rifles but he is also capable of
making other items in his blacksmith shop. Most of his blacksmith work is for
his own projects but once in a while he will offer some things for sale or take
in an occasional order. He may have a knife or two, an axe or maybe just
trigger guards and butt plate.”
Jerry’s knives and horns
are like his rifle guns; “built to be safe and to be used”. The CLA is
fortunate to have one of his knives donated by Jerry for this year’s Fund
Raising Auction. It’s a small belt
knife of a convenient, easy to carry size that will do about anything that you
would ask of a good knife. Hand forged from 1080 steel with the look of frontier
blacksmithing, this knife is meant to use and should hold up well. It comes
with a handsome, well-crafted sheath.
Jerry has generously donated his art to support
this year’s auction because, as he says – “in return for all the support and
help I have received over the years from other CLA artisans.”
Jerry’s contact
information is below. His website
is well worth a visit.
Jerry Eitnier
Box 125
Hillsboro, IN 47949
765-798-3525
To see more of Jerry’s
work, visit his website:
Jerry Eitnier
Eitnier Rifles
Iron Mounted Southern Guns
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