"Kentucky Rifles of the Great Smoky Mountains" Exhibit and Book

The Kentucky Rifle Foundation & the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center present

“Kentucky Rifles of the Great Smoky Mountains”

The Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center is 3/4 mile east of traffic light at the Highway 321 and 73 intersection towards the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in Townsend, Tennessee.

This exhibit goes until October 25, 2018. If you can't make it to Tennessee then the book will be a great addition to your library. The book contains all the rifles, pistols and hunting pouches in the exhibit.

The photography in the book is by Kenneth Orr with the front and back covers by Randal. The Kentucky Rifle Foundation was a sponsor of this exhibit. 

Available for $25.00, plus $5.00 packaging and shipping, in cash, check, or money order.  Send orders to:

Randal Pierce

963 Hitch Rd.
Maryville, TN  37804 

The 2018 Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show had a display this past year, "Brothers in Arms" which featured several rifles and 2 pistols that are in "Kentucky Rifles of the Great Smoky Mountains" book and are in the exhibit.

More photos from this exhibit can be seen here.

The "Bear Pistol" was part of the exhibit and the book. This pistol was also on display at the Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show.

One of the great things about the Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show is the wonderful rifles on display and for sell. Randal Pierce is the person to contact if you want an invitation to the show.

41st Annual Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show

Friday and Saturday

April 12-13, 2019

Knife by Steve Auvenshine

Photographed at the 2015 CLA Show by Jan Riser .

Gary Birch Bag

Finely crafted bag by Gary Birch. Bag is 10 inches wide by 10 inches deep. Bead and brass decorations. Woven and beaded strap. Tick and trade cloth lining. Wool tassels. Wool bag with linen binding.

$400. plus $20. shipping in the continental USA.

Contact artriser@mindspring.com for additional information.

Photographs by Jan Riser.

Logan's War Club by James Blake.

Made from Rock Maple,the Root Ball Blank was harvested four years ago on a hillside over looking the Site of the Yellow Creek massacre at Joshua Bakers homestead and trading post, on the West Virginia side of the Ohio River on April 30,1774 in which memebers of Logan's Family (wife-Mellana, Brother -Taylaynee also known as John Petty, Nephew- Molnah, Sister -Koonay) were lured into a insidous ambush. Logan was absent during the incident. The original club was reportively left at a Cabin site that Logan had attacked in August of the same year in retaliation for the brutal and cowardly murder of his family. The Cabin of Balser Lybrook was attacked and his three sons killed and scalped, true to the club's original the three X trophy marks line up with this incident. On the reverse side is numerous ineligible marks. The club handle has the European Intials IG carved into the base. This hideous act perpetrated by Daniel Greathouse and his brother Jacob and some associates sparked Lord Dunmores War.

Copy and photos supplied by James Blake.

Rifle by Nate McKenzie

Getz 42in. swamped barrel in 45 cal

Chambers Late Ketland lock

Wood by Knob Mtn 

Nate McKenzie was always good about sending photos of his rifles for the blog. This group was sent on July 4, 2018 right after we had posted a series on his new fowler. I always enjoyed his targets which notes his first shot and then shots after the sight was filed. "Thank you for posting the pictures of my fowler. I can finally build again after my shoulder surgery. I  hope you are having a wonderful 4th. Its hotter than blazes here in northeast Pa. Here is another candidate for the blogspot. Thanks for looking."

Nate passed away on August 27, 2018. His obit is here.

Copy and photos supplied by Nate McKenzie.

'Wedding Present' Powder Horn by Brian Anderson

Photo supplied by Brian Anderson.

Woven Straps by Kris Polizzi

Photographed at the 2015 CLA Show by Jan Riser.

Powder Horn by Billy Griner

Photographed at the 2018 Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show by Jan Riser.