2021 Fundraising Archives - Contemporary Longrifle Foundation

Frontiersman’s Kit by William Schneider

William Schneider’s “Frontiersman’s Kit”, which is copied from an artifact formerly in the collection of the Fort Pitt Museum, is a distinctive representative of frontier history. Schneider explains that “it was removed from exhibition when the fort management changed directions. Later it was found to have actually been a homespun shoulder holster for a Colt Patterson. It has since been re-homed and appropriately marked.” Schneider’s unique version of reproduction leatherwork is made from an alum- and bark- tanned deer hide...

2021 Fundraising

Tansel-Style Engraved Beaker by Henry Bowman

For this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction, artist Henry Bowman has donated an excellent example of classic Americana inspired by the legendary craftsmen of the Tansel family. Bowman notes that Timothy Tansel is best known for his beakers of this size, while the engraving is patterned after the powder horn engraving of John Tansel. Featured on the beaker is an engraved Federal eagle bearing a banner commemorating the CLA's 25th Anniversary. A woodsman bearing a flintlock rifle is engraved on the...

2021 Fundraising

Missouri Commemorative Horn and Hearts Bag by Jeff Bottiger and Matthew Fennewald

Horn by Jeff Bottiger of Excelsior Springs, MO and Bag w/Measure, Brush, and Pick, by Matthew Fennewald of Clarksburg, MO.The Hearts Bag by Matthew Fennewald, is a simple but functional bag that started out as bark-tanned deerhide. The bag is hand-stitched with linen thread, decorated with hearts stamped with a stamp handmade by Jeff Bottiger. The button is cow-horn. The bag is stitched with linen thread, unlined, with one inside pocket. Its size is approximately 8” wide by 9” deep. This is a simple, highly...

2021 Fundraising

Hand forged Small Axe by Mel Hankla

This finely crafted hand forged wrought iron tomahawk is from the workshop of Mel Hankla. This is a nice sized little axe; the head is 4 3/4 inches by 2 1/2 inches with a neat hammer poll. The attention to authenticity is remarkable.The body of the axe is wrought iron. The cutting edge is forged of a high carbon steel tine from an old horse drawn hay rake. The same tine material was also used to face the hammer...

2021 Fundraising

Original Watercolor by Angela Jones McMullen

Classic American folk art never fails to brighten up almost any decorating scheme. For this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction, artist Angela Jones McMullen has created a patriotic painting that will make a fine addition to any collection. This Fraktur-inspired piece depicts a Federal eagle flanked by two American flags. The eagle grips a banner bearing the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum”, or “Out of Many, One.” In his talons the eagle holds an olive branch and a bundle of arrows,...

2021 Fundraising

The Battle of Oriskany Set by Jack Weeks, Ben Hoffman, and Rick Lorenzen

Reliable auction supporter Jack Weeks organized a trio of talented artists to create a stunning black powder rig that pays homage to the Patriot heroes who fought at the Battle of Oriskany in 1777. The battle, which took place in New York’s Mohawk Valley, was largely waged by the region’s German settlers and Native inhabitants. Lorenzen’s powder horn captures the spirit of those Patriots. The piece is inspired by an original horn made by Frietrich Leppert, who served in New...

2021 Fundraising

European Style Hunting Bag by Shelly Gier

CLA artist Shelly Gier has once again donated an outstanding piece to the CLF Fundraising Auction. This year Gier contributed a one-of-a-kind European hunting bag, which is a truly unique offering for the auction. This bag is inspired by several original examples, but carries Gier’s individual design sensibilities. This well-proportioned bag will easily accommodate your hunting gear, as well as any game you’re fortunate enough to take. The main body of the bag is constructed from 3oz overdyed bridle leather, and...

2021 Fundraising

Hand Carved Walking Stick by Wayne and William Fluke

The artistic duo of brothers Wayne and William Fluke routinely garner a good bit of appropriate attention at the CLA Annual Show. The Pennsylvania artists regularly exhibit a stunning display of powder horns, carved European powder flasks, carved knives, and decorated boxes that are entirely unique for artisans of the longrifle culture. At this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction, bidders will have the opportunity to acquire a stunning gentleman’s walking stick by the Fluke brothers. Initially planned for sale in the...

2021 Fundraising

Frontiersman’s Knife by Heinz Ahlers

This knife is meant to be an example of frontier blacksmithing and the waste not, want not frontier philosophy. The knife’s original career path was as a Nicholson Black Diamond file. This was a 1950’s era Black Diamond made from Bethlehem steel with a carbon content of over 1.25%. Nicholoson stopped using that alloy over 50 years ago although they kept the Black Diamond name. This file was too worn for any further sharpenings and was repurposed into a knife blade....

2021 Fundraising

Bag and Horn Set by Lawrence Fiorillo and Todd Hambrick

A reliable bag and horn are necessities for any black powder shooter, and the artistic team of Lawrence Fiorillo and Todd Hambrick have produced an outstanding rig for this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction. This fine-looking and durable outfit is sure to last. Fiorillo’s hunting pouch is made of vegetable tanned cowhide and measures 7 ½ inches wide by 8 ½ inches deep. It has an inner pocket and is fully welted with a 1½ inch gusset. The leather for this...

2021 Fundraising

The Patriot’s Call – Providing For, and Defending the Homeland Since Colonial Times Colonial Rifle, Patriot Flag, & Stand by Paul Bigham and Paul Fennewald

Long before April 19th, 1775, when patriots at Lexington and Concord sent a loud message to the world that our freedom was everything to us, longrifles had been synonymous with providing food for colonial families, as well as protecting the homeland. This display captures that same spirit that sustained our forefathers, featuring a recreation of a colonial longrifle as well as a homespun patriot’s flag, supported by a weathered piece of oak and ash for the stand. When the call...

2021 Fundraising

Eighteenth Century Folding Knife by Scott Summerville

Scott Summerville is an excellent knife smith. His most popular product is his authentic 18th century folding knives. The 18th century traveler carried his own knife. Taverns and public houses did not furnish cutlery. Provisions came in chunks, slabs and sausages; and the baker did not slice your bread. This knife has a bolster copied from an original that is believed to be Dutch. The blade has an 18th century flared tip, where the tip is slightly wider than where...

2021 Fundraising

Bag, Knife and Horn Set by William Schneider and Casey McClure

For this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction, artists William Schneider and Casey McClure have produced a blackpowder rig loaded with frontier character. Schneider’s bag is made from deep brown pigskin that’s been dyed and oiled with Neatsfoot oil. It was then finished off with a mixture of buffalo tallow and beeswax. The strap is bark-tanned elk hide with a period brass buckle. The rig comes with an antler powder measure, as well as a powder horn from Schneider’s collection which...

2021 Fundraising

Hunting pouch and knife by Gary Tingler and Travis Bauer

This well-crafted hunting pouch with a bag knife in a detachable sheath are the result of a collaboration between Gary Tingler and Travis Bauer. The medium sized southern style bag is made from brain tanned elk hide, an uncommon material with a nice weight and feel. Gary sewed this up with waxed linen thread and the bag knife sheath is attached with a copper button. The flap has a cartouche of rattlesnake skin setting it off. Travis Bauer contributed this...

2021 Fundraising

Quilled Hat Band by Djuana Tucker

During the 18th and 19th centuries, no self-respecting gentleman, or scoundrel for that matter, would consider venturing into public without a hat. For the modern-day frontiersman headed for the range, the rendezvous, or the woods, that hasn’t changed. For those hoping to set their headgear apart from the crowd, CLA artist Djuana Tucker has donated a unique quill wrapped rawhide hatband to this year’s fundraising auction. Typical of Tucker’s work, the piece is constructed with historically appropriate materials. The artist...

2021 Fundraising

Southern Banded Horn by Billy Griner

Artist Billy Griner is well known in the longrifle culture as a master of the southern banded horn. For this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction, Griner donated a typically remarkable example of his work. The horn is in the style of original pieces typically produced in colonial Randolph County, North Carolina. This elegant, diminutive horn is 9 ¾” long from tip to tip and measures 11 ¾” around the curve. An amazing amount of intricate turning is on display in this...

2021 Fundraising

Quilled Leg Ties by Bill Wright

During the French and Indian War, Captain Pierre Pouchot kept a meticulous record of the remarkable tribal cultures that he encountered in the North American wilderness. A keen observer, Pouchot left a priceless record of seemingly insignificant details which others easily overlooked. When explaining the dress of France’s Indian allies, Pouchot described a minor but vital part of a warrior’s leg wear. “They wear garters of beads, or porcupine quills,” wrote Pouchot, “bordered four fingers wide, which are tied...

2021 Fundraising

Nineteenth Century War Club by Gordon Barlow

Authentic war clubs are perennial favorites for collectors of Early American arms and art, and attendees at this year’s CLF Live Fundraising Auction have some excellent pieces from which to choose. Virginia artist and collector Gordon Barlow’s donation to this year’s auction is a truly fearsome piece that will nicely round out any collection. This robust club is patterned after an original Teton Sioux war club from the early nineteenth century. Barlow built his club from a finely figured plank...

2021 Fundraising

Ball Headed War Club by Lawrence Reed

Traditionally, works of art have often served to make powerful political statements. Moravian missionary John Heckewelder, who spent a lifetime among the Delaware of the Ohio country, described one such grim tradition among the western tribes. In rectifying an insult, revenging war parties would penetrate their enemy’s country, unleash an ambush, and then leave a war club at the scene of the attack. “This war club,” explained Heckewelder, “is purposely left that the enemy may know to what nation...

2021 Fundraising

Knife, Bag, and Horn Set by Adam Daub, Daniel Boehringer, and Henry Bowman

Knife, Bag, and Horn Set by Adam Daub, Daniel Boehringer, and Henry Bowman Quality hunting rigs are a perennial favorite with collectors and shooters, and this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction features a visually stunning set created by the artistic trio of Adam Daub, Daniel Boehringer, and Henry Bowman. The rig is built around a heart shaped bag by Daniel Boehringer. He describes it as a southern style bag made of 2-3 oz. vegetable tanned leather. Dyed with walnut hulls and a...

2021 Fundraising

Bag and Horn Set by Tom Greco

Auction artist Tom Greco can always be counted on to produce topnotch pieces for the CLF Fundraising Auction. His donation to this year’s event is no exception. His set is built around a native-inspired open-top hunting bag. It’s a museum quality reproduction that has the look of a centuries-old original. The bag is made from brain-tanned leather and sports a deep brown patina achieved with walnut hull dye; it was given a protective coat of bear grease. The bag is...

2021 Fundraising

Early American Pistol by James Turpin

For the 25th Anniversary of the Contemporary Longrifle Association, CLA craftsmen have produced some of the finest artwork to be offered in the annual fundraising auction. A truly exquisite offering this year is a fine gentleman’s pistol by one of the best makers working today: James Turpin. Working largely with reclaimed materials, Turpin created a masterpiece. This early handgun, explains the artist, could be considered “either English or American” as American gunsmiths routinely mimicked the work of makers from the...

2021 Fundraising

Neck Knife and Quilled Sheath by Frank and Lally House

This neck knife and quilled sheath were created by Frank House and Lally House. Frank forged this knife with a finely balanced 4 1/2-inch-long blade and mounted it to an antler handle with a through tang. The handle is finished with silver mounts. There is an interesting pommel on the butt of the knife with a protrusion serving as a bullet starter. The knife is what you would expect from one of the leading knife smithing teachers in the CLA.This...

2021 Fundraising

Fighting Knife from a Broken Sword by Joe Seabolt

Nothing was wasted on the American frontier. Swords and small swords were common with militia officers and it was not uncommon for a sword to be broken in use. The remains of such a quality piece of steel would be quickly salvaged and reworked.For this recreation Joe Seabolt had to first recreate the quality sword blade-work of a master bladesmith. This blade shows the double fullers and precise ricasso and choil work of a quality sword, and represents the...

2021 Fundraising

Knife, sheath and display by Verlin Cossel

This rifleman’s knife, sheath, small war club, and display stand are a unique set from the clever hands and mind of CLA artist Verlin Cossel. The knife has a 7 ¼-inch hand-forged blade. Verlin studied knife making with the House brothers and had additional input from Sam Stoner, a Mennonite blacksmith. The 1084 carbon steel blade has a 4-inch handle of deer leg bone. The sheath is walnut dyed deerskin hand-sewn over a deer raw-hide liner. Walnut stain was also...

2021 Fundraising

Nineteenth Century Hunting Bag by Jeff Luke

CLA artist Jeff Luke is a skilled craftsman and consistent auction supporter. His donation to this year’s fundraising auction is an attractive and sturdy hunting rig for the modern frontiersman. As Luke explains it, this bag and horn set “represents my interpretation of one that might have been crafted and carried by an early 19th century hunter or trapper, skilled in his abilities with hide and stitching.” Luke’s pouch is a classic heart design, constructed of heavy bark tanned deer...

2021 Fundraising

Tomahawk by Don Shaver engraving by Frank House

This fine tomahawk was forged by Don Shaver from an old hammer head. This tough steel makes a good axe. The pipe bowl is worked from an old gun barrel, a traditional touch. The haft is ash wood that Don salvaged from the emerald ash borer. Like many originals, this axe does not have a smoke hole bored through the handle. With its French influenced shape, it is a good working axe. Frank House has engraved the decorative silver...

2021 Fundraising

Forged Knife by Todd Butler

Alabama artist Todd Butler is known for making truly exquisite custom knives that sport elegant lines and razor-sharp blades. Butler returns to this year’s CLF Fundraising Auction with a stellar offering that’s sure to elicit competitive bidding. Butler’s knife, which measures in at over fifteen inches in length, carries an imposing ten-inch-long blade forged from 1075 steel. The top of the blade features a false edge, while the bottom of the blade sports Spanish notches, which, Butler explains, are inspired...

2021 Fundraising

Continental Marines Powder Horn by Ron Hess

Powder horns are naturally a big hit at the CLF Fundraising Auction, but artist Ron Hess has donated a truly unique piece for this year’s event. Thanks to the research efforts of the Honorable Company of Horners, Hess was able to create a faithful reproduction of one of the most priceless treasures from the Revolutionary War. HCH members were granted access to the original Isaac Ackley horn, which is now in the collection of the National Museum of the Marine...

2021 Fundraising