45th Annual Kentucky Rifle Show

Get up and get out of the same old rut. Safe travels David. 
The Westcoast boys are**headed for the 
45th Annual Kentucky Rifle Show 
Friday-Saturday April 21-22, 2023 
Jubilee Banquet Facility 
6700 Jubilee Center Way 
Knoxville, TN 37912

Questions?
Contact Randal Pierce 865-982-6538 tnky.rifles@gmail.com

Work by Tom Condé

Photography supplied by Tom Condé.

Quill and Bone knife and sheath made by Iron John and Stephanie of Iron Tree Forge.

Traditionally constructed with historical techniques this knife and sheath set is a one of a kind heirloom quality collector piece or everyday user. 

Hand forged bag knife by Iron John with brass bolster and iron mineralized white-tailed deer leg bone from the bog behind the farm. 8 inch blade is thin and sharp forged from 1/8in thick high carbon spring steel and is tempered hard for great edge holding. It is touchmarked by the artist deeply at the riccosso and is sharpened to a razor edge. Age and patina by artist. 

The sheath is hand sewn elk leather with a hardened cow hide core by Stephanie Aust. The traditional quillwork of hand dyed and painstakingly plated porcupine quills adorn it's face, edges and flap. Tin metal cones with hair brushes adorn the throat, suspension is a simple leather thong in back. Age and patina by artist. 

Inspired by original Native American and European settler folk art of the early 1800s but not copies of any one piece, contemporary art. Measures 8 in blade, 12-3/4 knife overall, sheath 14-1/2 overall

 

Copy and photography supplied by Iron John Logan here.

Scott And Cathy Sibley Powder Horn

 

Photography supplied by Scott Sibley.

Hunting Pouch by Jack Weeks

 

A veg-tanned, D-shaped bag(8"x9") with rings and buckle by Ben Hoffman. The tooled flap is bound with black calf skin and lined with red wool. There are 2 sets formed pockets on the interior back. The finish is hand dyed and rubbed with bear oil.

Copy and photography supplied by Jack Weeks.

Poulin Auction Item: An Incredible Masterpiece: John Ennis’ Third Rifle A High Art Kentucky Type Long Rifle With Superb Carving, Engraving And Style

May 12, 13 & 14, 2023

Our 2023 Spring premier auction will host collections from across the country & bring them under one roof for an amazing multi-day auction!

 

This is an incredible opportunity to take advantage of the strength the current market is providing for fine firearms & militaria.

This wonderful rifle was unveiled at the 1983 Western Kentucky University gunmaking seminar. The instructors included Dr. Terry Leeper, Hershel House, John Bivins, Wallace Gusler and Lynton McKenzie. They and all others in attendance were blown away by the meticulous workmanship, attention to detail and incredible artistry exhibited by this stunning rifle.

It has 40″ octagon barrel fitted with exceptionally well done file decorated “U” notch rear and blade front sights as well as a decorative boss between rear sight and patent type breech plug with platinum touch hole. Patent breech has inset stamp of an urn surrounded by foliate and floral engraving. “Jno. Ennis” is in flowing script on barrel in front of rear sight. Manton style flintlock with rebated square tail is fitted with serpentine cock, waterproof pan, roller frizzen and feather spring with bulbous finial. Lock engraved with traditional feather bursts and scroll along with the initials “JE”. Rifle is fitted with double set triggers. Stock made of a truly fine piece of hard maple with exceptional curly grain is brass mounted and has many silver inlays. Stock also exhibits superb raised carving. Decoration has a phoenix theme. The exceptionally fancy patchbox has a large perched phoenix as its finial. Patchbox cover is domed and sideplates are shaped with large acanthus scrolls. Patchbox shows many piercings and is beautifully engraved with classic motifs of bearded men, flowers and leaves. Matching toeplate has three piercings and phoenix finial. Traditionally styled sideplate is also scroll engraved. Silver inlays include a very attractive phoenix perched on a ring as decoration for cheekpiece. Silver swags act as decoration under cheekpiece, behind barrel tang and as escutcheons for barrel retaining bolts. Small silver inlays accent the carved mouldings around lock and sideplate as well as the exceptionally fine raised carved scrolls and acanthus around cheekpiece.

Other features of note are the swirled flutes that are filed into brass nose cap and the fine fan carving at rear of trigger guard tang and left side of toe. Mouldings along ramrod channel end in graceful volutes. Hickory ramrod with horn tip and steel tail with worm is held by two multi-beaded and intricately faceted pipes and matching thimble.

Ennis’ mastery is also evident in the fine rich brown finish found on barrel and lock as well as temper blue found on patent breech and breech iron.

Copy and photography from Poulin.

MAX SOAPER KNIFE FOR JEREMIAH “JAKE” BROWNING BIRTHDAY~ NOVEMBER 7, 2022 AD

 

Carrying on a Tradition.

As part of a grandfather’s continuing tradition to his grandson, Jeremiah David Browning - this is the 13th handmade knife made by friends for his birthday. This year’s outstanding knife was made by talented knife maker, Max Soaper, Henderson, Kentucky. Jeremiah received this knife for his 22nd birthday, November 7, 2022.

Max created a handsome knife with a hand forged blade with a curly maple handle with a poured pewter bolster. 

In Max’s words about his creation: 
“It is loosely based on several Georgian Confederate knives in a private collection. The blade steel is a high carbon spring steel with a medium temper for strength. The guard is mild steel and the handle is Osage Orange. It came from a huge branch off an ancient Osage tree located on my homestead. This particular tree was cored over 40 years ago and at that time was over 600 years old. It saw the development of Kentucky including the Civil War. I forged the blade in a coal forge crudely finishing it with a hammer & various files & a little sand paper. No power tools were involved in its making. The initials were burned into the handle as I'm not a gun stocker or engraver so my choices were limited.”

Continuing in the tradition since the first knife was made by Ian Pratt in 2010, two hearts are incorporated into the knife – this year, they are inletted in brass on the spine of the blade, flanking Jeremiah’s birthday – “Nov. 7, 2022”. And HDW and JDB is stamped into the wood handle. 

Copy and photography supplied by David Wright.

45th Annual Kentucky Rifle Show

 
Good news travels fast! 

Getting the word out for the 45th Annual Kentucky Rifle Show

Friday-Saturday April 21-22, 2023 

Jubilee Banquet Facility 

6700 Jubilee Center Way 

Knoxville, TN 37912

Questions?

Contact Randal Pierce 865-982-6538 tnky.rifles@gmail.com

Gorgets by Dave Hughes

Photography supplied by Dave Hughes.

2023 Honourable Company of Horners Show

Early American craftsmanship on display at the Altoona Grand Hotel
March 10-11, 2023

For over twenty-five years, the Honorable Company of Horners has dedicated countless hours to the preservation, research and education of the often forgotten skill of horn-working. What’s horn-working you ask? Well, you’re not alone in your quandary! For as long as history has been recorded, animal horn has been a material with many interesting uses. As a natural thermoplastic, it can be heated and pressed or molded into many useful shapes and our early American forefathers took advantage of these uses!

The Honorable Company of Horners, or HCH, has gone back in time through research and study of original, handmade items and historical documentation to learn the secrets of how horn can be used to make many different and sometimes surprising items.

Since their formation in 1996, the nationwide group has met yearly (except 2021) to come together and share knowledge and discoveries as well as to showcase their learned skills in creating these fascinating tools of the past. The public is always welcome to attend these “Horn Fairs” at no cost and this year in no different! For anyone who is interested in this event, the HCH would like to extend a warm welcome to come and see all of the things they have to offer. From “hands on” workshops and educational seminars to original and contemporary items to view and purchase, there’s something for everyone.

What’s In (or On) The Bag?

 

(starting upperleft corner) A flint and steel box by Charles Miller, priming horn by Mark Odle, a small bag used to carry extra flints by Joe Mills, a short starter also by Mills, a turkey call by Charles Norvell, a snake striker by Charles Miller and an iron pipe by Jack Haugh. The lid on the pipe is hinged. The pipe stem is bone. 

The number of artists and craftspeople devoting their time to reproducing period correct items for use with the Kentucky rifle is staggering. All you need do is take a look at all the names listed on the CLA website or the artists featured in MUZZLELOADER or MUZZLEBLASTS to see an ever increasing group. These talented people make it possible to completely fill the shot pouch with tools for the maintenance of the accompanying firearm as well as items for everyday use in the wilderness.

The effort devoted to these items is amazing. The pieces are well researched and crafted in a manner that matches or exceeds the quality of the originals. Often times the newly made items are more sought after than their original counterparts.

The items accompanying this article are just a small sample of the pieces which are available today. Many of them are one of a kind pieces others lend themselves to duplication. Whichever the case they are all worthy companions for a finely crafted firearm. Whether you actually use them or simply display them in your collection they are an integral part of our early heritage in America.

(starting upperleft corner) A shot bag made of bark tanned leather by Joe Mills, a ball container by David Parrish, a priming flask by Gary Birch. The flask is made from tin with a bone spout. A folding knife by Kyle Willyard. The all metal knife is a near copy of an original. A snake striker ember tong combination by Charles Miller and a turn screw by Bruce Horne. 

A tin powder measure on a hand made chain, an intricately carved bone measure, miniature striker (that works very well) and a small pan brush all made by Gary Birch 

Copy by Art Riser with photos by Jan Riser.

Hunting Pouch by Maryellen Pratt