CLA

A Bucks County rifle and accouterments article has been on my mind for a number of years. The motivation for this came from three different people.  First, Samuel Pletcher was my great, great, great grandfather.  He lived in Lancaster County until he was about 40, then took his family by wagon to the Howard area in north central Pennsylvania around 1790.  I’ve been interested in stories, tools, and possessions that would have ... Read More »

I consider Frank Willis one of our premier bag and horn makers.  I first met him at the 2013 CLA Show.  We were discussing southeastern PA bullet bags.  Frank had some great work on his table and helped me to understand a little more how I should select the type of bag I wanted. In emails this August, Frank mentioned that he might have a bag I might be interested in.  He ... Read More »

The hunting pouch is an icon of the American frontier. By the early 19th century pouches could show distinct regional variations, wide ranges in quality from home made to finest cordwainers work, and variations in size and shape based on use. This years auction presents a stunning range of bags and accoutrements.Bill Smith has donated a double bag of finely tanned deer skin with double internal compartments. Bill has been making bags ... Read More »

Native American Style Bag by Robert PawlingRobert Pawling is a CLA artisan specializing in dyed porcupine quill embroidery of many kinds done on braintanned deerskins to produce 18th C. Northeast Native accoutrements.Bob has extended his style a bit in keeping with this years auction theme of westward expansion. Bob has produced a bag like the indians of the western plains and mountains were producing in the period of early contact. This bag ... Read More »

Josh Shepherd created this piece entitled “The Frontiersman”.  It is 21” tall and made of hydrostone with a hand-applied finish.  It’s a limited edition of 50.  This is number 14 (In honor of 1814) and in keeping with the theme of the auction. The round hat, rifle, and hunting shirt are characteristic of the working frontier, and the  detail on the horn, bag , and belt are remarkable. “The Frontiersman” is a well done ... Read More »

The CLA Fundraising Auction will take place on Friday, August 15  at 5:00.  This is a day earlier than last year and a day earlier than what was originally forecast this year.  The list of auction items has expanded a bit with powder horn from Ron Hess including a strap from Kris Polizzi.  Josh Shepherd has donated a casting he produced of an early 19th century frontiersman.  Both of these items will ... Read More »

Indiana gunmaker, Jerry Eitnier is a returning donor to the CLA fundraising auction. Jerry is no stranger to the muzzle loading sport and art. He has been involved for more than 40 years. He joined the National Muzzle Loading Association in 1973, and in 1987 he built his first longrifle. He became a charter member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association in 1991.Jerry is strongly influenced by Hershel House’s work.  He builds guns ... Read More »

This will be the third year of commemorating the War of 1812 for the 2014 CLA Fund Raising Auction.  Fifteen CLA artists have created their art and donate it to be auctioned at the Annual Meeting and Show on August 15, in Lexington, Kentucky. We will be showcasing the 2014 fund raising auction items here.  Individual works will be added to this site as they are received. The following CLA artists have ... Read More »

It’s Saturday morning , and Allen Martin and I will try a new method for interviews.  Formerly, I used a digital audio recorder, but this year we will use video. On the picnic table where we’re sitting is a wonderfully thin flintlock. That’s where the interview will start. Allen, thank you for a most impressive rifle.  Thanks also for being a part of this first try at a video interview. Larry Pletcher, ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA membership please visit: Contemporary Longrifle Association     Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today         By T.C. Albert During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today      By Heinz Ahlers During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today    Written Guy Montfort During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today     Written by Heinz Ahlers During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone ... Read More »

During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real treat. Not only will you be getting an advance preview of the 2013 fund ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA:   Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a ... Read More »

For more information about the auction or CLA: Contemporary Longrifle Association Join the CLA Today During our second year of commemorating of the War of 1812, the 2013 CLA Fund Raising Auction promises to be another significant event. Twenty-five generous CLA artists have stepped forward to create their art and donate it to be auctioned at our Annual Meeting and Show on August 17, in Lexington, Kentucky. Everyone is in for a real ... Read More »

Mel Hankla, Editor P.O. Box 156 Jamestown, KY 42629 270-566-3370 melhankla@amhiss.com The Contemporary Longrifle Association is pleased to announce the publication of the inaugural issue of its bi-annual journal, American Tradition. This journal is devoted to the tradition of early American craftsmanship in the firearms and related accoutrements trade, as practiced by the artisan-members of the CLA. Established in 1997, the not-for-profit CLA is dedicated to the art of contemporary longrifles and ... Read More »

The biggest CLA show ever is now over. While the number of CLA exhibitors grew from years past, the original displays done by the Kentucky Rifle Association made an immense contribution. Following is a collection of photos from a number of sources. We hope you enjoy them. I decided to use a series of slide shows because of the number of photos to be included. I wish to thank those who gave ... Read More »

This group includes, in no particular order, photos taken by a number of ALR members.  I thank them all for their permission and support.               Read More »

This group of photos are mostly from the main room.     Read More »

This last group has  number of ALR members and their work.   Read More »

Most regional styles are represented here.   Read More »