The 21st Anniversary CLF Fund Raising Auction features thirty-two items from the efforts of over forty-five CLA artists. The auction will take place at 5:00 p.m. EDT on August 18th, 2017, in the Grand Ball Room of the Lexington Convention Center (400 W. Vine Street, Lexington, Kentucky). The live auction is reserved for CLA members only, but there is a special prorated membership rate of $20 at the door. For those unable to attend in person, including non-members, an absentee bidding process has been made available via e-mail and the USPS.
The absentee bidding process is described here.
For questions, contact the Contemporary Longrifle Association directly at 540-886-6189.
We are excited to feature works by the following artists:
We are excited to feature works by the following artists:
• Heinz Ahlers • Tim Albert • Gordon Barlow • Matthew Bowles • Kieth Casteel •
•Tim Crosby • Mike Davis • Jerry Eitnier • Ed Fish • James Frost •
• Sandy Greco • Tom Greco • Karen Hainlen • Andrew Knez • Steve Lasley •
• Steve Lodding • Rick Lorenzen • Shayna Matthews • Terry Methe • Bruce Meurer •
• Heather McClure • J. Casey McClure • Glen Mock • Jerry Moniot • Kenny Nichols •
• Robert Park • Kris Polizzi • Dale Powers • Linda Pritchard • Eddie Rector •
• Joe Seabolt • Ken Scott • Don Shaver • Tina Shaver • Bill Smith •
• Scott Summerville • Glenn Sutt • Gary Tingler • Djuana Tucker • Gary Tucker •
• David Umbel • Ron Vail • Andrew Verdon • Charlie Wallingford • Jack Weeks •
• David Wright • Josh Wrightsman •
We would also like to thank the following donors for their generosity:
• Tom Bowen • Rice Barrel Company • Ed Rayl •
• Sitting Fox Custom Muzzleloaders • Brian LaMaster •
Remember them when you need something you can’t live without.
I See It Too by Andrew Knez Jr.
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by Gordon Barlow This great Andrew Knez Jr. painting was scheduled to be auctioned last year. That did not happen. Your auction Chairman was a bit remiss in the logistics also Andrew unfortunately was involved in a serious automobile accident on his way too the auction. We deferred the auction [...]
Rifle, Pouch, and Knife by Josh Wrightsman and Gary Tingler
by Heinz Ahlers and Josh Wrightsman with photography by Ric Lambert The pre-revolutionary frontier, west of the great wagon road was an exciting place, from the Allegheny River country down through western Virginia and the Carolinas. The Frontiersman were learning their trade and the skills that would take them across the continent. One of their [...]
Pouch, Powder Horn, and Accoutrements by Jack Weeks, Rick Lorenzen, Shayna Matthews, and Kenny Nichols
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by H. David Wright CLA artists consistently demonstrate the ability to marry museum-quality aesthetics with rugged practicality. Artist Jack Weeks and a cadre of talented craftsmen have collaborated to produce a truly outstanding bag and horn set for this years CLF fundraising auction. The project is the brainchild of noted [...]
Brooch and Box by Glen Mock
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright The Eighteenth Century was a time of few possessions. Items of personal ornament often doubled with a useful purpose. The treasured family pieces were kept in containers appropriate to their value. Glen Mock has created such a piece for the 2017 Auction. Carefully crafted from natural [...]
Pistol Case by Jerry Moniot
Pistol Case by Jerry Moniot by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Gordon Barlow Sometimes when you have something really nice, you want to have it in a case that you can open when you want to display it, and close when you want to be a bit more discreet, Also you might prefer not to [...]
Hunting Pouch, Powder Horn, and Accoutrements by Dwight Umbel, Kris Polizzi, and Jerry Eitnier
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by Ric Lambert and Heinz Ahlers There are few items in a hunters kit as crucial as a trusty possibles bag. For this years CLF fundraising auction, a trio of artisans - Dwight Umbel, Kris Polizzi, and Jerry Eitnier teamed up to create a visually stunning bag and horn set [...]
18th Century Puppet by Dale Powers
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by Gordon Barlow Despite the passage of centuries, mankind, at his core, remains the same. Life in the 18th century could entail some pretty serious work, but everyone eventually needs get away from it all. Long before he penned the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was a hard-working Williamsburg attorney [...]
Knife with Quilled Sheath by Rob Parks and Linda Pritchard
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by H. David Wright It's arguably the most important tool for any outdoorsman: a good blade. But for the modern-day frontiersman who favors period black powder shooting, not just any knife will do. This years CLF fundraising auction is fortunately graced with an outstanding knife and sheath set by artisans [...]
Powder Horn by Glen Sutt
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright The powder horn has always been a very personal piece of equipment. Map horns that showed country the bearer already knew like the back of his hand, scrimshawed horns with the owners name, plain buffalo horns that showed that you had killed one, and spotted horns [...]
Belt Knife by Charlie Wallingford
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert and Heinz Ahlers In 1748 George Washington was on his first adventure over the Blue Ridge in the Shenandoah Valley. Lord Fairfax had taken a liking to the 16 year old and thought to introduce him to the wilds and the art of surveying. In Georges Journal [...]
Ojibwe Smoking Pipe by Don Shaver
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert and Heinz Ahlers The Chippewa or Ojibwe were a large indigenous nation with an agricultural history and a great engagement in trade. They traded copper, pipestone, and furs. By the late 18th century this highly civilized tribe had absorbed cultural elements and material goods from the Cree [...]
Appalachian Style Linen and Leather Hunting Bag by Andrew Verdon
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Heinz Ahlers The linen hunting bag could be in the Appalachian Mountains, especially the Southern Mountains. This breathable fabric style bag was the precursor to the canvas web gear that served our military in two World Wars. The light weight fabric bag works very well as long as you [...]
Elk Hide Hunting Bag by Gary Tingler
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert, Heinz Ahlers, & K. Tingler The longrifle is an essential part of the longhunters kit. But,the longrifle without the hunting bag is a difficult thing to manage. You could put the balls in a your pocket, if you had a pocket, or in your mouth, but probably [...]
Longrifle by James Frost
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Heinz Ahlers & H. David Wright The early history of the rifle in America is always fascinating and problematic. We know that rifles were in use on the frontier prior to the French and Indian War. John Fraser mentioned the loss of seven rifled guns at the Battle of [...]
Powder Horn by Steve Lodding and H. David Wright
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright Steve Lodding and H. David Wright have teamed up to create a spectacular engraved powder horn inspired by an original in a private collection. The antique French and Indian War period New York map horn, attributed to the "Pointed Tree" carver contains a base plug that [...]
The John Fraser Project by Gary Tucker, Eddie Rector, Ron Vail, Ken Scott, Heather McClure, and J. Casey McClure
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert For the upcoming Contemporary Longrifle Foundation Fund Raising Auction to be held at the Annual Meeting in August, CLA members Gary Tucker, Eddie Rector, Ron Vail, Ken Scott , Heather and J Casey McClure have recreated a collection of artifacts based on early frontiersman and trader John [...]
The Thomas Lincoln Only Blows Decided Horn by by Tim Crosby & TC Albert
by Tim Albert with photography by H. David Wright As war between Britain and the American colonies loomed, in a letter to his Prime Minister Lord North, King George wrote: The New England governments are in a state of rebe-llion, blows must decide whether they are to be subject to this country or independent... The [...]
Bowie by Keith Casteel
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by Gordon Barlow Few blades capture the indomitable spirit of the frontier quite like the Bowie knife. It's a fearsome edged weapon that's quintessentially American: rugged, hardy, and better off left alone. In fitting homage to the legendary Bowie as well as the independent spirit it represents attendees of this [...]
18th Century Folding Knife by Scott Summerville
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Gordon Barlow Scott Summerville makes great knives and razors. He is a staunch supporter of the CLF Auc-tion and has again given us a great folding knife. This is a classic bone handled knife with a 3-1/2 inch blade. Scott hand builds these knives, hand shapes them and heat [...]
Wampum Belt by Matthew Bowles
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by H. David Wright In September of 1736, nineteen chiefs from the Six Nations the Iroquois Confederacy arrived at Philadelphia to strengthen the "covenant chain", or traditional alliance, with British officials in Pennsylvania. When Kanickhungo, the chieftan who spoke on behalf of the Seneca tribe, rose to speak, he expressed [...]
Longhunter’s Knife and Sheath by Heinz Ahlers
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright I have always liked the longknife style. The design choices for a longknife vary from a heavy bladed, thick handled, fighting knife with a cross guard to a thin bladed utilitarian butcher knife style. I believe a longhunter preferred to carry tools that could meet multiple [...]
Belt Knife by Mike Davis
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by H. David Wright Mike Davis has produced a fine Woodbury style belt knife for this years action. Mike is a repeat donor, having donated an iron mounted rifle last year that sold very well. This year Mike has turned out a 6 inch bladed knife in a classic frontier [...]
Wood Sculptor by Bruce Meurer
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by H. David Wright For any craftsperson, the successful marriage of three-dimensional and two-dimensional disciplines is one of the most difficult hurdles of the creative arts. Buyers at this year's CLA fundraising auction will have the chance to own a unique sculpture by master carver Bruce Meurer that skillfully accomplishes [...]
War Club by Gordon Barlow
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Gordon Barlow Among the tribes of the eastern woodlands, few symbols could be as potent as the ball headed war club. Missionary John Heckewelder, who spent a lifetime on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Ohio, explained that When the Indians have determined to take revenge they would leave a [...]
Boone Rifle by Ed Fish
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert Ed Fish is donating a copy of a very important rifle currently owned by Brian LaMaster. The rifle bears an inscription on the patchbox, N D Boone, Kaintuck done in a primitive style. Based on this inscription and extensive research Brian believes the original rifle may have [...]
Pennsylvania-Style Hunting Bag by Steve Lasley.
by Steve Lasley with photography by Ric Lambert & Heinz Ahlers The Pennsylvania-style hunting bag can be more complex than the styles encountered on the frontier in the Southern Highlands. Eastern Pennsylvania was more settled and specialized craftsman such as cordwainers, bookmakers and tanners were available. An active commerce in trade and cash existed east [...]
Waistcoat by Karen Hainlen
by Joshua Shepherd with photography by H. David Wright For General George Washington, the mundane duties of supply and logistics would come to be as important as strategy and tactics. Washington, who cut his teeth on the western frontier during the French and Indian War, was keenly aware that appropriate clothing was crucial to the [...]
Shooting Bag and Powder Horn by Tom Greco and Sandy Greco
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert and Heinz Ahlers The successful colonial farmer, wealthy merchant or Virginia aristocrat, wanted his equipment to send a message about his social status. A fine rifle or fowling piece would be accompanied by fine shooting bag and horn. By the beginning of the French and Indian war [...]
Youth Rifle by Terry Methe
by Heinz Ahlers with photography by Ric Lambert Young people on the frontier went about armed from an early age. In Thoughts on Kentucky Rifle in the Golden Age Joe Kindig Jr. shows a 30 inch barreled youths rifle he attributes to Wolfgang Haga. This is an early gun with a brass box and raised [...]