Forging Iron Mounts

[Ian Pratt]

We don't see too many classes offered on forging gun mounts, so some of you may be interested to hear that there is a new class being offered by the Woodbury School Foundation - Forged Iron Gun Furniture with instructors John House, Daniel Casey and Randy Sherman. Beginners are welcome - no prior blacksmithing experience required. Forging, forge welding, assembly and different brazing methods will be covered along with coal fire management. There is more class information available on the Foundation's website -   https://www.woodbury-school.com/education/p/forged-iron-gun-furniture-class-november-21-23-2024

[Curtis]

I am not familiar with the other two fellows teaching the class, however in my opinion John House is a true master at the forge and anvil - and an excellent, patient teacher to boot.  It's great to see the class being offered!

Thanks for posting it, Ian!

Curtis

[Ian Pratt]

I am not familiar with the other two fellows teaching the class, however in my opinion John House is a true master at the forge and anvil - and an excellent, patient teacher to boot.  It's great to see the class being offered!

Thanks for posting it, Ian!

Curtis

Thanks Curtis! I agree with everything you've said about John House -  Hershel House's brother for those who didn't already know. Hershel and John worked together for many years, and while John definitely learned his style from his brother he developed his own techniques over time and continues to do so.   

The photos I posted are of John House and his work. Here is a bit of info on the other two instructors -


Randy Sherman is a gunmaker and blacksmith who hails from Emlenton, PA. In some respects he keeps a low profile but he does attend the shows and events from time to time, and over the years his work has appeared in the magazines and on the contemporary maker's blog. Here is a link to a pair of related guns that he made a while back - https://contemporarymakers.blogspot.com/2009/04/randy-sherman.html .

The first photo below shows Randy working on a rifle down at Hershel's place last July, and the second is a gun he built inspired by an original piece by Georgia gunsmith Richard Allen. 


 




Arkansas native Daniel Casey may be a bit better known to some since he had a TV show on the history channel for a time. You can see his unique work here on his website - https://caseyarms.com/ .  The first photo below shows Daniel holding an iron mounted NC Piedmont style rifle in what I believe was his former shop - he has a brand new shop since the TV show. The second shot shows a nice iron mounted boy's rifle he made.






Going to be a great class !