Haversack No. 4 by Eric Ewing

Haversack made from coarse white fabric with a heavy hemp lining. The exterior has a crude patch woven repair to the corner and the bag was tin-clothed. The flap is made from bark-tanned deer hide and is lined with a grey striped ticking.  The strap was woven by Kris Polizzi.

Copy and photos supplied by Eric Ewing.

York County Smooth Rifle Restoration by Eric von Aschwege

Occasionally I do restoration and conservation work on original firearms. This is an area in our field that often stirs much controversy – How much should be done, What kind of work is appropriate, Should the lock be reconverted?  Who is qualified? 

The golden rule I follow is “Do nothing that cannot be undone”.  Restoration can range from fixing small cracks and splicing in missing parts of wood, to total stock repair and lock reconversion.  In some cases, I consider a project as a conservation, where the original gun is very deteriorated and in need of careful preservation in order to prevent further damage or decay.  All of my restoration work is done with careful consideration to the original patina and finish.  

YORK COUNTY SMOOTH RIFLE

I discovered this project mislabeled as a "Continental Fusil" on an auction website, and purchased the piece in incredibly rough condition.  The stock arrived in about 6 pieces, and was missing several small chunks from the wrist and lower forestock area.  This project is what I would consider a "conservation" more than a full out restoration, in that great care was taken to keep the piece as original as possible without allowing it to deteriorate further.  The lock was carefully reconverted and new parts aged to match the original lock finish.  The stock was repaired with new wood spliced in several areas where original chunks were missing.  The barrel was cut down at some point, and I may "stretch" the barrel and forestock back to its original 50" length in the future.  Attempts were made not to hide the fact that the piece was once in poor condition; areas worn around the breech and tang were left worn, whereas areas missing parts in the years since the piece broke were repaired.  Wooden nails used to hold the earliest break together in the forestock were left in place, while the more modern brass nails and straps were removed (though kept separately with the gun).  This project is still a work in progress on the side, and more details and photographs will be added in time.  

Copy and photos supplied by Neahkahnie Flintlocks.

Jud Brennan After John Newcomer

Handmade flintlock

Chair by Steven Lalioff After Thomas Jefferson's Chair at Monticello

Photo supplied by Steven Lalioff.

April Events

Fort Toulouse

April 4, 2015

 Fort Jackson 1814 Living History

'Living History' - Re-enactors live at the Fort as they would have during the historical time period. The public is welcome to visit and interact, but there are no scheduled events or special displays.

For further information call 334-567-3002.

Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park

2521 W. Fort Toulouse Road

Wetumpka, Alabama 36093

Fort De Chartres State Historic Site

Annual Historical Event

Colonial Trade Faire & Musket Frolic

Prairie du Rocher, Illinois

 April 10 - April 12, 2015

Friday: 9 am - 5 pm

Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm

Sunday: 9 am - 3 pm

Merchants, artisans and craftsmen will display and sell handmade and period wares at this annual event.  Mid to late 1700s period musket and rifle shooting matches will test the skills of participating re-enactors. La Bonne Epouse, or a women's contest for "The Good Wife" will be held.   Other featured activities will include colonial games, period music and a benefit auction. The public is invited to watch the events free of charge and shop at the Trade Faire. The event is presented by Chasseurs du Datchurat, a group of historical reenactors that recreates the lives of the longhunters of the Illinois country and Spanish Louisiana from the middle 1760s to the middle 1770s.

 For more information call 618-284-7230

Information from here.

The South Carolina State Museum

Columbia, SC

April 10-11, 2015

Show and sessions about gun building, metal etching, relief carving and silver inlay, decorating hawks, bags, straps, tanning leather, powder horn decorating, history of muzzleloading guns in the southeast.

Call 803-898-4952 for space reservations and more information.

Fort Frederick

4th Legionary Corp

April 11 - 12, 2015

Join the recreated 4th Legionary Corp as they garrison the fort and demonstrate the life of Continental soldiers during the American War of Independence. Hours are 10 am to 4 pm Saturday, and 10 am to 3 pm Sunday. Park entrance fees apply.

 For Information about All Programs Call 301-842-2155

 Fort Loudoun State Historic Park Garrison Weekend

April 11-12, 2015

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park hosts its Living History Garrison Weekend

Park visitors will have the opportunity to view an 18th century infirmary, as well as soldiers’ barracks, the commander’s quarters and a Cherokee encampment. Demonstrations will include a variety of tasks and skills common to a frontier fortification, including cooking, laundering and blacksmithing. Costumed living history re-enactors will go about their garrison duties throughout the weekend, taking time to interact with visitors.

For a complete schedule of events, contact Fort Loudoun at 423-884-6217

37th annual Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show

April 17-18, 2015

the Museum of Appalachia in Clinton, TN

Featuring antique and contemporary muzzleloading longrifles and pistols and related accouterments.

Friday 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Tennessee-Kentucky Rifle Association, Inc.,

c/o Wayne Elliott

70 Morningview Place

Blue Ridge, GA 30513.

More information:  Contact Wayne Elliott at welaw@mindspring.com or (770) 823-2970

Fort Toulouse

April 18-19, 2015

French and Indian War Encampment

History comes alive with French Marines, English Troops, Creek Warriors potrayed by living history units from across Alabama and the Eastern United States.

Highlighting the French and Indian War of 1756-1763, also known as the Seven Years War. French Marines aided by the local Native Americans fought against the English troops for control of the Eastern part of North America.

The public is treated to one of the most exciting living history events in the Southeast. Re-enactors interact with visitors and entertain with skill competitions such as rapid musket fire and bayonet drills and provide insight to their living conditions of the time as well as dress and battle strategies.

For further information call 334-567-3002 or Fort Toulouse.

Fort Toulouse/Jackson Park

 2521 W. Fort Toulouse Road

 Wetumpka, Alabama 36093

Fort Frederick

The 21st Annual Fort Frederick Market Fair

April 23 – 26, 2015

Come to historic Fort Frederick, an original stone fort built in 1756 during the French and Indian War and travel back in time to an authentic 18th century market fair.  A whiff of campfires fills the air. Colorful entertainers are found strolling about the fair. See sutlers (period vendors) selling 18th century wares: pottery, tin and copper ware, clothing, material and patterns, books, fireplace and cooking hardware, muskets and accoutrements, paintings and prints, lanterns and other camp gear, etc.  See hundreds of fair-goers of all ages dressed in colonial clothing: artisans, soldiers, ladies & gentlemen, Native Americans, longhunters, traders, servants, etc.  Free entertainment for all.  A fundraising auction will be held on Saturday, April 25 th, to benefit the Friends of Fort Frederick State Park.  Food available. Hosted by the Friends of Fort Frederick State Park and Fort Frederick State Park.  Service fee.

For Information about All Programs Call 301-842-2155

Hunting Pouch and Powder Horn by Scott and Cathy Sibley

Photo supplied by Scott Sibley.

Gentleman's Embroidered Formal Coat, Late 18th Century

Dark brown wool broadcloth, high stand collar, front cuffs and lower back w/ dense floral embroidery in white, yellow-gold, green and blue, deep side pockets w/ flaps, embroidered round flat buttons at CF, pocket flaps, cuffs, and CB slits, wool backed with buckran, ivory silk twill and wool twill linings, CH 46", 4 38", L 41" (2 small patches at top of each sleeve and shoulders, 1 elbow with patches and 1 with moth holes, .25' hold at back shoulder seam, and some embrodery floss worn, small hem tear) good.

Price Realized: $ 2,400.00

Photos and copy from Augusta Auctions.

Frontier Women’s Day

Saturday, March 28, 2015 • 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Partnering with the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania, Fort Pitt will host Frontier Women’s Day where Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts will learn about 18th century women, games, toys, trades, and lifestyles to work on badge activities.

Pair of Muskets for Fort Pitt by Jack Brooks

Here is a pair of muskets I recently made for Fort Pitt.

They are from Tack of the Wolf kits.

Copy and photos supplied by Jack Brooks.

Bucks County Rifle by Mike Gahagan

A Bucks County rifle that is styled after John Shuler. The patch box is designed after one that is on a rifle attributed to Shuler after he moved to Perry County. The barrel is by Rice Barrel Company and is 46" long in .50 cal.

Copy and photos supplied by Mike Gahagan.