2016 CLA Show: Photos

The Winchester Virginia School

Bob and Sylvia Roughton

The Winchester School is composed mostly by the large Sheetz Family of Gunsmiths, and the Lauck Family.  These pieces represent the best of both families.

Jerry Kirkland – Copied from one in the DuPont collection, a high quality Lauck, one of his best. 44 1/2” Barrel .45 Caliber

Ron Ehlert – A variation of the Frederick Sheetz Rifle in my collection.  A tribute to Ron’s ability.  44” Barrel .50 Caliber

Brian LaMaster – Another variation of a Lauck Rifle, exemplying Brian’s knowledge of Virginia Rifles. 44” Barrel .50 Caliber

Don March - 1987 Variation of a Lauck Rifle, Serial #31 Well-crafted rifle, done near the end of Don’s building career. 42” Barrel .50 Caliber

J. Brennan - #50 Beautiful Winchester School, Silver Mounted A mile-stone production in the Jud tradition. 44” Barrel .45 Caliber

Judson Brennan – Beautiful variation of the Winchester School as only Jud can do.  Attractive silver flower finial and loads of silver wire.  Serial No. 104, marked under the patch box lid. 42” Barrel .45 Caliber

Jud Brennan - #115A Taken from a Lauck Rifle, with typical carving and wire work, paired with the Pistol below. 44” Barrel .50 Caliber

Jud Brenan - #115B mate to the Rifle above, nicely carved.  Winchester Pistols are rare.  Note the long 13” Barrel, .50 Caliber

Jud Brennan - #89 A copy of the Famous Sheetz Rifle in the Williamsburg Collection 45 3/8” Barrel .50 Caliber

Carl Pippert – A nice variation of a Simon Lauck Rifle.  One of Carl’s last. 42 15/16” Barrel .45 Caliber

Allen Martin – A Bench copy of the petite Lauck Rifle inn my collection.  Nice Job. 42 1/8” Barrel .50 Caliber

Michael McHugh – A Variation of a Sheetz Rifle.  One of my “shooters” 44” Barrel .50 Caliber

Brian LaMaster – Frederick Sheetz variation, neat double cavity patch box.  Have a look. 42” Barrel .45 Caliber

GOD has blessed us as caretakers of these Rifles

Please feel free to carefully examine them.

Thank you for looking at our display.

Copy by Bob and Sylvia Roughton and photographed at the 2016 CLA Show by Jan Riser.

Reenactment of -1970's Friendship Photo

 This reenactment of -1970's Friendship photo was taken at a Knife Seminar held at Hershel's in September 2016.

Hershel with Joe Seabolt.

Photos supplied by Joe Seabolt.

The Longrifle Makers of Guilford County by C. Michael Briggs

This is a thoroughly researched volume dealing with the rifles and their makers. The author is well acquainted with the history of Gilford County and the gunsmiths who worked there. He provides the reader with a wealth of information about the builders as well as an amazing number of full color photos of the rifles.

The book begins with a thoughtful discussion of the history of the Early Deep River School and the Jamestown School. This is followed by a listing of the gunsmiths along with information about each man. Maps help the reader to better visualize the areas under discussion.

The volume also provides a bit of insight into all of the other longrifle schools in North Carolina.

The extensive collection of color photographs along with information about the pieces shown is impressive. There are eighty-five pages of photographs total. This section is followed by some very interesting genealogical information regarding the Lamb family of gun builders.

The author has also included a number of informative articles that have been published through the years that deal with the area of interest.  There are also some copies of hand written documents that will be of great interest to the reader. These documents provide great insight into the men, their families and their craft.

The book concludes with some fascinating contemporary photographs of the graves of a number of the builders. There are also recent photos of home sites and locations of the old gunsmith shops.

This is quite a nice collection of information put together with passion and enthusiasm by a man who truly knows and cares about his subject. Well done.

The Longrifle Makers of Guilford County is available for $40.00 plus $4 postage. Orders should be sent to: Michael Briggs at 103 Battle Road, Greensboro, N.C. 27410

Review by Art Riser.

Recent Work by Robert Pawling

Photo supplied by Robert Pawling.