At the Baltimore Gun Show last week-end, I met two longrifle makers who were displaying their work.

Allan Sandy
Rt. 2 Box 41
Belington, WV 26250
304-457-4936

Larry J. Gardner
2800 Old Briggs Chaney Rd.
Silver Springs, MD 20905
301-384-6736
artandarmsltd@starpower.net

I would not hesitate to recommend these craftsmen to someone who is contemplating having a rifle made. Don't we all deserve to have at least one custom rifle in our lifetime!

Also at the show was a fine maker of powder horns and primitive knives. I couldn't resist buying a knife and priming horn from;

Joe Scott
Box 174
Thomas, WV 26292
304-463-4397

If you are handy with basic metal and woodworking tools, you might consider purchasing the components for an Isaac Haines, early Lancaster style rifle from Wayne Dunlap:

Dunlap Woodcrafts
1415 Wolftrap Run Rd
Vienna, VA 22182
703-734-0740
dunlapwdcrafts@aol.com

These are not "snap em together" kits, but the stock is pre-carved with the barrel channel inletted for a swamped barrel. Wayne also sells stock blanks in English Walnut, Curly Maple, and Cherry. I had to buy all three. Now I have to get to work.

I realize that a custom rifle will be somewhat costly, but where do these guys fit in as far as comparing them with some of the other makers? Last summer I bought a used semi-custom rifle that was made by GL Jones and Jack Garner. Or, maybe it would be called a custom rifle as these were hand made in a small quantity. Mine is a left hand flinter in .54 caliber; a very nice rifle. Emery

Mazo:

There are literally dozens of fine craftsmen making Kentucky rifles today. Some of them have achieved a level of craftsmanship that equals or exceeds that of the finest 18th and 19th century gunsmiths.

The two makers that I mentioned, Larry Gardner and Allan Sandy certainly have the ability to create the finest examples of the longrifle making art.

They don't produce semi-custom rifles. Rather they take a blank of Maple, or whatever wood you specify, and hand shape it to your dimensions, ie: length of pull and drop of stock. They make everything except the barrel and lock, just like the original gunsmiths. You can even select the style of rifle that you want. For example, if you have studied original rifles and would like to have a rifle made in the style of Melchoir Fordney, they can probably do it.

I don't have anything against semi-custom rifles. However, they are different in that the stocks are pre-carved in a carving machine giving you little choice as to style or fit.

Discovered this by trial and error, no error made.

Link to Dunlap



http://www.dunlapwoodcrafts.com/stocks.htm

http://www.dunlapwoodcrafts.com/IHSETS.htm