Mitch Yates and the moderators over at American Long Rifles web site have made a very special rifle for the upcoming CLA fund raising auction. This Dickert style rifle was designed to pay tribute to the legendary “Hunters of Kentucky” and their expliots at the Battle of New Orleans under Andrew Jackson. The rifle has a special "Alligator Horse" silver inlay, and silver presentation plack affixed inside the bottom of the patch box. Starting with a stock from Dunlap Woodcrafts, a barrel made by the Getz Barrel Company, a lock from Jim Chambers, brass hardware donated by Reaves Goehring, and barrel inletting done by Mark Wheland, Mitch Yates built and finished this outstanding rifle. The board moderators at the A.L.R. web site also played a part, both in giving physical assistance and moral support to the building of this "show stopping" rifle. Tom Curran did the special engraving, Rich Pierce professionally polished the metal work, and the rest of the moderators purchased assorted materials. Photographs of the finished rifle were taken by Jim Filipski, and they say it all. You will not want to miss seeing this rifle at the show.

For more information about the auction or CLA membership please visit: Longrifle.

Photos by Jim Filipski and text by TC Albert. "Hunters of Kentucky. Or Half Horse and Half Alligator." 1815. The Filson Historical Society.

“Jai” Horn by Rich Pierce

“I kept this horn really simple because it had a naturally beautiful shape. I only wanted to show what nature had already wrought and not distract from that. It is a large semi-translucent horn carrying well over a pound of powder. Someone pointed out to me that the spout end is reminiscent in shape to a cow’s teat. I grew up on a dairy farm in the Mohawk Valley of New York State, and maybe subconsciously I included a shape from the cow’s other end on this horn.”

Copy and photo by Rich Pierce.

Mermaid Horn by Rich Pierce

“This is based on an original from 1757. Robert M. Hartley, my great uncle, made an illustration of the original, found in the Mohawk Valley of New York State, in the 1930’s. His original sketches of many “valley” powder horns of the French and Indian and Revolutionary War periods are in the museum in the basement of the public library in St. Johnsville, New York. I added a period repair to this horn using cutler’s resin and a piece of brass sheet metal.”

I know John Proud and the horners are planning to soon publish a book on the Hartley sketches, which will be a terrific resource. I don’t think publishing a scan of this original copy I inherited of one of my “Uncle Rob’s” sketches would be a problem and might enhance interest in the forthcoming book.

Copy and Photos by Rich Pierce.