CLA 2020

CLA Auction Item: FLINTLOCK PISTOL    by Dennis Kelley by Joshua Shepherd     Photography by Gordon Barlow In early America handguns were traditionally considered the weapon of choice for gentlemen, but pistols also saw wide use across the frontier. Whether used to settle duels of honor back east or as a weapon of last resort in a dangerous backcountry, one shot from a flintlock pistol could spell the difference between the here and the ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: QUILLED HAT BAND     by Djuana Tucker By Joshua Shepherd         Photography by Lon Brauer 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 ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: BAG AND HORN SET   by Jeff Luke Bag size: Height 10”   Width 7 ½”      Powder horn: 13” Outside curve Whether they’re carried afield for a day’s hunt or hung as period décor in your home, few period crafts exude the alure of the early frontier as well as a nicely paired hunting bag and horn. This year’s CLF fundraising auction features a stellar set crafted by artist ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: FISHING THEMED POWDER HORN & BAIT HORN SET by Albert Emanuel Powder Horn length: 9 ¼”           Bait horn length:: 4 ½” By Joshua Sheppard     Photography by H. David Wright Hunting and fishing are twin pursuits that have shaped outdoor life throughout American history. For this year’s CLF fundraising auction, Arizona artist Albert “Ace” Emanuel has crafted a stunning pair of horns that will be useful on the hunt or by ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: EARLY 19TH CENTURY HUNTING POUCH SET By Lawrence Fiorillo, Todd Hambrick, Casey McClure Dimensions: 8 ½” wide x 9” high By Heinz Ahlers      Photography by H. David Wright Lawrence Fiorillo, Todd Hambrick and Casey McClure have donated this great looking Hunting set with a homespun air to this year’s auction. Created around a bark tanned, ample sized hunting pouch this rig is loaded with fine touches. The finely ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: KINGS MOUNTAIN BAG AND HORN By Jack Weeks and Rick Lorenzen Hunting Bag – 8 inch X 9 inch, Horn 16 inches on outside curve by Heinz Ahlers       Photography by H. David Wright Jack Weeks and Rick Lorenzen have assembled a rig typical of those used by American Patriots that hailed from the back country settlements in Virginia, North Carolina and what is now Kentucky and Tennessee. These “Overmountain ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: WOODBURY SCHOOL BELT KNIFE & SHEATH by Verlin Cossel Length: 10 ½” By Heinz Ahlers     Photography by H. David Wright Verlin Cossel forged this dandy belt knife in the Woodbury tradition. It feature a 6 2/8 inch blade carefully forged out of 1095 carbon steel. The blade has dual touch marks and a nice aged finish. A poured pewter bolster and a coin silver butt cap secure the antler ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: SOUTHERN BANDED HORN by Billy Griner Length, outside curve: 11 ½” By Joshua Shepherd       Photography by H. David Wright   A reliable powder horn is a necessity for the blackpowder shooter, and this year’s CLF fundraising auction features a truly exceptional example of the horner’s craft by artist Billy Griner. Griner’s donation is a quintessential example of the southern banded horn. “This particular horn,” explains the artist, “is a ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: HUNTING BAG AND KNIFE by Gary Tingler and Casey McClure Bag: 8 1/2″ wide by 9 1/2″ deep. Patch knife 9″ long. By Heinz Ahlers    —   Photography by H. David Wright Gary Tingler and Casey McClure have created a this simple but extraordinarily well made hunting bag and knife set.  The bag is made of a dark nicely grained buffalo leather with a matching strap.  The edges are ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: HORN SPOON & STAND By Henry Bowman Length: 8 ½” By Heinz Ahlers  —  Photography by H. David Wright The horn spoon donated to this year’s CLF fundraising auction by artist Henry Bowman is a unique work of art that’s sure to grace any collection of early American collectibles. “The inspiration for this piece,” explains the artist, “came while I was looking at photos of 19th-century effigy spoons made ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item:   LONG KNIFE By Adam Daub Length: 15 ½”   Blade: 10 ½” By Heinz Ahlers   Photography by H. David Wright Any knife maker will tell you, the longer the blade, the more care you have to take at every step in the process. Forging, hardening, tempering need all to be right on to avoid cracks, warps, and brittle spots. When you do everything right you get one like Adam Daub ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: RIFLEMAN’S KNIFE by Todd Butler  — By Joshua Shepherd           Photography by David Wright Collectors of fine knives just can’t seem to acquire too many blades, but it’s a rare thing indeed for a knife to perfectly blend artistic aesthetics with rugged functionality. At this year’s CLF fundraising auction, bidders will have the opportunity to purchase a collector’s grade knife that’s worthy of display in the ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: HUNTING POUCH SET   By Calvin Tanner, Ron Hess and Louise Hess Pouch: 7” X 8 1/2”     Powder horn: Length 12“ Butt dia. 2 ½“ By Heinz Ahlers    Photography by H. David Wright The design of the pouch was inspired by an existing 18th century pouch. Calvin feels the set is one that represents a common pouch of that era. One that would have been carried by a long hunter ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: TAVERN SMOKER’S COMPANION  By Greg Bray Size: 14” x 5” By Joshua Shepherd   Photography by H. David Wright Despite the fact that the habit of smoking tobacco has largely fallen out of favor in modern America, the practice was ubiquitous in colonial America. From the drawing rooms of Philadelphia to the farthest reaches of the frontier, “making smoke” crossed the societal bounds of class and culture. For this year’s ... Read More »

CLA Auction Item: NORTHWEST TRADE GUN  by Doug Warren By Joshua Shepherd   Photography by H. David Wright Classic firearms from America’s past are naturally at the heart of the modern Longrifle Culture. Collectors at this year’s CLF fundraising auction will have the opportunity to acquire a truly iconic weapon that saw broad use across the early American frontier: the Northwest Trade Gun. Artist Doug Warren has donated a truly unique version of the ... Read More »

CLA Auction:   LONGHUNTERS KNIFE      by Chad Matthews Length: 13 1/2”   Blade: 8 3/4” By Heinz Ahlers     Photography by H. David Wright The CLF is proud to present this classically styled long hunters knife by Chad Matthews.  The carbon steel blade is combined with a classic s shaped cross guard and bolster. Both are also of carbon steel. The blade length is 8 3/4”  and overall is 13 1/2”. This is ... Read More »

CLA Auction: FRONTIER HUNTING POUCH WITH POWDER HORN   By Cory Joe Stewart    Pouch 9” X 5 ½”   Horn 17” around the curve. By Heinz Ahlers   Photography by Gordon Barlow Cory Joe Stewart has a flair for the segment of the longrifle culture that lived in the upcountry, above the fall line of the rivers and often over the Blue Ridge. These “over mountain” folk or “woodsies” were largely self ... Read More »

CLA Auction 2020: COLONIAL FOWLER by James Frost and POWDER HORN by Mike Small by Joshua Shepherd — photos by David Wright When it comes to sheer versatility in the field, few period firearms can compare to the smoothbore fowler. Capable of taking a wide spectrum of wild game, fowlers saw extensive use in early America as humble meat guns. But in a very real sense, the weapon helped shape the United States. ... Read More »

CLA Auction October 2020 18TH CENTURY FOLDING KNIFE by Scott Summerville By Scott Summerville Length: Open 9” Closed 5” By Joshua Shepherd     –    Photography by H. David Wright Whether you’re headed to the backcountry for an 18th century trek or bound for a desk job in the big city, a reliable pocket knife is a gentleman’s necessity. Perennial auction supporter Scott Summerville has once again generously donated a top-quality reproduction folding ... Read More »

CLA 2020 Auction Item:  THE SCOUT SET By Joshua Shepherd   @   Photography by H. David Wright At its core, the Contemporary Longrifle Association is a community of collaborative artists who share an enthusiasm for early American heritage. For this year’s fundraising auction, Shelly Gier organized an effort by a score of CLA artists to produce “The Scout Set”, a truly remarkable collection of practical tools for the modern frontiersman. The Scout Set is ... Read More »

CLA AUCTION ITEM – OCT 30 HEART OF THE HEARTH ORIGINAL PAINTING   by Maria Freed by Joshua Shepherd Photography by H. David Wright Examples of traditional fine art appear at the annual CLF fundraising auction only occasionally. For this year’s event, artist Maria Freed has contributed a lovely original painting for the benefit of the Contemporary Longrifle Association.   Freed’s original painting, Heart of the Hearth, pays homage to the traditional center ... Read More »

PIPE TOMAHAWK  By Simeon England, Mike Miller, and Kyle Willyard Length 21 1/2″ Head 5 1/2″ tall. The name tomahawk is a combination of tribal and English words. Algonquin and Lenape peoples called their lightweight axes “tamahak,” “tamahakan” European Americans pronounced these words as “tomahawk.” They liked the size and weight of the original tool, but made their own adaptation by replacing the stone heads with iron heads having steel blades. Tribes ... Read More »

Woodbury Style Knife by Heinz Ahlers Length: 11 ¾”.  Blade, 7 ¼” A razor-sharp blade fitted with an antler handle remains not only a practical tool for the modern outdoorsman, but an iconic symbol of America’s frontier past. Bidders at this year’s CLF fundraising auction will have the opportunity to own a truly classic example of the frontier belt knife by one of modern America’s best blade smiths. Former auction chairman and ... Read More »