Traditional Craft

A Collaboration in Gun Building | Chuck Edwards and Hershel House, Muzzle Blasts Archives2004

I first met Chuck Edwards in October of 2001 at a rendez­vous in bis hometown of Bloomfield, Missouri. I recognized him from a photograph in an article written by Ted Franklin Belue entitled "Chuck Edwards: Steeped in the Woodbury Tra­dition." As a gun builder myself I have been a longtime ad­mirer of Hershel House (ever since the Foxfire 5 article), and more recently of Chuck Edwards.

The Twentieth Century Story of Two Extraordinary Frontier Guns, Part 1 Wallance Gusler

The Twentieth Century Story of Two Extraordinary Frontier Guns, Part 1 Wallance Gusler

The '·pursuit of happiness" presents an endless array of opportunities. Over sixty years ago the pursuit of the 18th­ century American frontier became the major direction of my life. The two flintlock firearms that are the focus of this se­ries (figs. 1 & 2) are extremely important as landmark sur­vivals of the mid-18th-century frontier. They represent the conflict between Colonialism, becoming Americans, and the collision with American natives.

Building a Kibler Kit with Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes | August 2020 Day 5

Follow along with the Kibler Kit assembly class from Mike Brooks

Building a 4 bore flintlock rifle with Bill Raby Part 17

Bill Raby is continuing his 4 bore rifle build series! On part 17 now, he’s finishing up the ramrod pipe as he moves towards completion. be on the lookout for Bill and this cannon this fall!

Building a Kibler Kit with Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes | August 2020 Day 4

Follow along with the Kibler Kit assembly class from Mike Brooks

Building a Kibler Kit with Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes | August 2020 Day 3

Follow along with the Kibler Kit assembly class from Mike Brooks

Building a Kibler Kit with Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes | August 2020 Day 2

Follow along with the Kibler Kit assembly class from Mike Brooks

Building a Kibler Kit with Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes | August 2020 Day 1

Building a Kibler Kit with Mike Brooks and Wayne Estes | August 2020 Day 1

Follow along with the Kibler Kit assembly class from Mike Brooks

Jim Kibler announces a new kit

Watch now as Jim shares some answeres to frequently asked questions, talks about a shop tour, and shares the news on the new kit heading into development! Very exciting times for the muzzleloading kit world!

All About Files | Gun Making Tools of the 18th Century and Today | Muzzle Blasts

All About Files | Gun Making Tools of the 18th Century and Today | Muzzle Blasts

When I was a young man, I apprenticed under a master tool and die maker. In the first two years I worked with him I seldom saw him use a milling machine, he did it all with a file. Being young and headstrong I would often complain, but his reply was always the same: before you can use the mill, you must master the file.

Photographing your work | Helpful Tip Tuesday | Jeff Luke

Whether you sell your handmade creations, or simply want to show off that latest project that you worked so hard on, take a few extra minutes to do your work justice with a few well lit, well focused photos

2020 Gunmakers Hall Incentive Bag by Jeff Luke

2020 Gunmakers Hall Incentive Bag by Jeff Luke

For my donation to this year’s Gunmaker’s Hall Giveaway, I wanted to create a hunting pouch that could have been indicative of a piece found in the early expansion west around the last quarter of the 18 th century, with just enough asymmetry and “character” to make it believable.

How to make an 18th century money wallet with Jeff Luke | Craftsman's Corner #5

How to make an 18th century money wallet with Jeff Luke | Craftsman's Corner #5

In this installment of Craftsman’s Corner, we’ll be creating a basic “money” wallet to carry your cash, as well as a few modern necessities such as driver’s license, business cards, and that evil plastic, because after all, nothing says farby like whipping out that modern, machine sewn nylon tri-fold to pay for goods at an event