Axes and Pistol by Brian Anderson

The spike axe and the brass bowl head are copies of originals.

Photo supplied by Brian Anderson.

Madison Grant Award Winning Hunting Pouch by Eric Ewing

Hair-on Calfhide Bag #2

The front panel and flap of this pouch are made from hair-on calf hide.  The back panel, gusset, strap tongue and buckle parts are cowhide.  The flap is bound and lined with pigskin.  The strap was made by Kris Polizzi (Kris-Polizzi-Custom-Weaving on facebook here) and then aged slightly.  The steel buckle was made by blacksmith William Bisher of Black Turtle Forge here. 

I was extremely honored when this shot pouch was awarded the Madison Grant Award at the 2014 Dixon's Gunmaker's Fair.  Like all my work this pouch was inspired by different elements of original pouches and from contemporary work by artists I admire greatly.  I owe both groups a debt of gratitude for this award as well as those who bring the work out for us to see.

Copy and photos supplied by Eric Ewing. More of Eric's work can be seen here.

Snaphaunce Musket built by Yancey von Yeast for Kenneth Gahagan

This piece was built to resemble a circa 1620 English snaphaunce musket for CLA Artisan Kenneth Gahagan.  Documentary evidence strongly supports that Myles Standish, the Military Captain of Plymouth colony, was armed with a mechanical lock musket. Most others were armed with matchlocks at that time.  Matchlocks disappeared quickly in the new world due to the impractical nature of the ignition system.  By the mid 1620's, letters are being sent to England, urging prospective colonists not to bring matchlocks.   

The barrel was made by Coleraine.  The lock was built by the maker, utilizing some Rifle Shoppe parts and many hand forged parts.  The stock is walnut and all mounts are hand forged iron.  It will be on display at the 2014 CLA show on the maker's table."

Copy and photos supplied by Yancey von Yeast.

Tabacco Box by Clinton Byers

My take on a possible tavern tobacco box; materials are horn and walnut.

Copy and photos supplied by Clinton Byers.

Fingerwoven Garter by Cait and Josh Brevick

Fingerwoven Garter Pendant Drops by Cait Brevik with the fringes quill wrapped by Josh Brevik

Supplied photos from Eli Motsay.

Mid 18th Century Rifle by Andy Hodgkins

This is my recent interpretation of a European trained gunsmith (possibly Bavarian) working in colonial America, in the years leading up to the F&I war.  I attempted to look at rococo from a baroque point of view assuming an experienced gunsmith was trying his hand at carving in the newer fashion yet still retaining the roots of his training.  This I think blended old parts with new art and  some charismatic flair thrown in creates a rifle with an interesting yet a business like personality in the game taking 58 cal.

Copy and photos supplied by Andy Hodgkins.

Steven Radosevich for Nate Hoffman

Cherry stock stained with lime water

Brass wire in the cheek piece

Copy and photos supplied by Steven Radosevich.

Around the Web: Gorgets, Moons, Heads & Coins by Michael Galban

Michael Galban wrote an article on his blog Edge of the Woods on Gorgets, Moons, Heads & Coins. Below are two of the images with an into pragraph.

"Among the myriad objects which hold special meaning to Native peoples is a group of objects known as a shell gorget or “moon” gorget.  The moon gorget in simple terms is a round plate which hangs before the breast. They were originally cut from marine shells and were at times quite large, but soon after contact, the flourishing trade in silver objects spawned a silver version which held equivalent meaning for Native people. Sometimes, in the past, a round gorget-like ornament could appear permanently pricked indelibly into its owner’s chest as a tattoo."

Copy and photos from Edge of the Woods blog.

'Die Generals und Officiers der Koniglich Englischen Armee und dere Hutffs Truppen zu Neu Yorck'.

British officers study a map in their billet, 1776 (c)

Engraving by Jean Benait Winkler, after artist C Trrost, published by Carington Bowles, 1776 (c).

British officers study a map in their New York billet. There were about 7,000 British troops in the American colonies on the eve of the War of Independence (1775-1783). Some of these garrisoned the remote forts controlling the Proclamation Line (the divide between Native American and colonial territory) and the main overland routes.

The remainder policed the towns and ports. As well as defending settlers from border attacks by Native Americans, smuggling and civil disturbances were the main problems faced by the Army.

Soldiers posted to colonial garrisons were generally accommodated in purpose-built barracks. In America, extra soldiers brought in to police the Stamp Act of 1765 were accommodated 'in inns and uninhabited houses' at local cost.

Copy and image from National Army Museum.

Antique Powder Horn

Photographed by Jan Riser.