Building flintlock rifles

[sultzbach71]

I'm wanting to start building flintlocks and was wandering if anyone knows anyone around lancaster ky that needs an apprentice or is looking for someone to pass the trade on too. Thanks

[flinchrocket]

Go to the gun building page and click on 2015 NMLRA gun building classes.

[Jackie Brown]

Wish you were closer

[Keb]

I use to live in the Mt. Hebron area on Lock 8 Rd. in Lancaster, KY but it's been almost 30 years ago.

[Mike Brooks]

I'm wanting to start building flintlocks and was wandering if anyone knows anyone around lancaster ky that needs an apprentice or is looking for someone to pass the trade on too. Thanks

Here's a place to start.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=31173.0

[Angus]

Sultzbach,

Don't give up hope finding someone to mentor you by settling for books and you tube videos. Not to be misunderstood, many individuals have learned from text, pictures and by trial and fire, with a fair share of mistakes. Others have done quite well and deserve credit for their exceptional work.

There is a lot that can be said for the camaraderie of a teacher, a guiding hand, a voice of reason, answers to questions, trick and techniques and an old school apprenticeship. If you are willing to invest the time and effort, you will find the right teacher.

I have had the fortunate opportunity to learn bits and pieces of this fascinating craft for nearly 20 years from a local teacher. I was a smart mouthed young lad when I first set foot in his shop, and not a clue where to start. But by the willing desire to do, observing the master and perseverance to succeed, after 9 months, I had my first rifle completed. To this day, I can still be a wise crack, but I ask questions and observe by soaking up whatever I can retain. I hope someday to pass on the same to another student.

Now the challenge comes to those of you in the area who read this, help this student locate an appropriate teacher!

Good Luck and keep us posted on your journey.

[WadePatton]

Wish you were closer

closer to where?

--
and also Sultzbach: many, especially the "upper classmen" of this stuff are NOT online anywhere anyhow.  I don't know how i initially found John Anderson, but i did.  Best of luck.

[rjpalmer]

I was very lucky to have a local high school teacher/gunsmith/ long rifle builder agree to have an evening 12week class that met Tues. and Thurs. evenings 7:00 Pm -10:00 Pm for 12 weeks. He agreed to teach that class if 12 people signed up at $100.00 each. We met in the local high school wood and metal shops. He brought various long rifles for us to examine along with tools, catalogs and addresses of numerous parts and suppliers. He gave us 2 months to choose the style of rifle, gather together the required supplies and finishing materials. When the 2 months of gathering material was completed, we began our 12 week building process. Some chose precarved stocks while others built from a blank. The instructor and a few of his friends gave continuous personal help and instruction to each of us as he demonstrated on a rifle he was making for himself. Everyone enjoyed the entire process. Not everyone had their rifles competed at the end of the 12 week class, but everyone was far enough along to shoot their long rifles at a nearby gun club.
This was the most pleasant and rewarding experience I had in all the instructional classes I have experienced through high school college and graduate school, This all took place 40 years ago in Western Pennsylvania.  I doubt a scenario such as this could ever again occur in a public school.
We did this 2 years in a row until interest faded on the part of the instructor and the ability to attract participants. I still have each of the rifles I built hanging on the wall in the living room. These rifles remind me daily of the fantastic, talented and patient  teacher and great class mates that made a lot of sawdust 40 years ago. 

[B.Barker]

Sultz, I live over in Casey county not far from US127. I build iron mounted rifles among other things. Send me a pm and we can talk.

[Bob Roller]

I was very lucky to have a local high school teacher/gunsmith/ long rifle builder agree to have an evening 12week class that met Tues. and Thurs. evenings 7:00 Pm -10:00 Pm for 12 weeks. He agreed to teach that class if 12 people signed up at $100.00 each. We met in the local high school wood and metal shops. He brought various long rifles for us to examine along with tools, catalogs and addresses of numerous parts and suppliers. He gave us 2 months to choose the style of rifle, gather together the required supplies and finishing materials. When the 2 months of gathering material was completed, we began our 12 week building process. Some chose precarved stocks while others built from a blank. The instructor and a few of his friends gave continuous personal help and instruction to each of us as he demonstrated on a rifle he was making for himself. Everyone enjoyed the entire process. Not everyone had their rifles competed at the end of the 12 week class, but everyone was far enough along to shoot their long rifles at a nearby gun club.
This was the most pleasant and rewarding experience I had in all the instructional classes I have experienced through high school college and graduate school, This all took place 40 years ago in Western Pennsylvania.  I doubt a scenario such as this could ever again occur in a public school.
We did this 2 years in a row until interest faded on the part of the instructor and the ability to attract participants. I still have each of the rifles I built hanging on the wall in the living room. These rifles remind me daily of the fantastic, talented and patient  teacher and great class mates that made a lot of sawdust 40 years ago. 

I think if someone even suggested such a class in our wimpy schools today they would get a visit from some level of Gestapo in short order.I graduated from Huntington (WV)High School in 1955 and the teacher in the wood working shop was Angelo Orsillo and he encouraged such things as restoring old guns and even making new ones.I had only morning classes in grade 12 and most days I went to the wood working shop and helped Mr.Orsillo.He has long ago passed away but the memories remain and his son Greg and I are still friends.He was born in 1955.

Bob Roller

[smart dog]

Hi Bob,
Right now I am mentoring a sophmore high school student building a flintlock pistol for a special school project, approved and endorsed by the principal.  We even brought the partially completed gun into class for show.  I may be doing this with more students from that school in the future, again encouraged by the principal.  It seems there still are a few schools left with some common sense.

dave

[sultzbach71]

Thanks for the replys keep them coming I really appreciate it. When I get a chance I will try to contact the ones who are willing to help me along. I have a jack rouse flintlock with a bill large barrel that my dad gave me and it is a heck of a gun. I've been shoring them since I was just a boy in the 70"s and now I'm at a place in my life when I can put my focus on something I really enjoy. I'm sure I will be able to get it eventually and I am excited about the future. I've got a fairly decent work shop and am working on improving it now. Hopefully by spring I will find another bill large barrel and enough knowledge to start a build. Thanks again and keep them coming.

[Bob Roller]

Hi Bob,
Right now I am mentoring a sophmore high school student building a flintlock pistol for a special school project, approved and endorsed by the principal.  We even brought the partially completed gun into class for show.  I may be doing this with more students from that school in the future, again encouraged by the principal.  It seems there still are a few schools left with some common sense.

dave

Smart Dog,
This is a refreshment,a school with a principal who has common sense.
Back in my senior year,I had an 1886 Winchester 45-70 I kept in a wall locker
in the school next to the wood working class.When hunting season(deer) came
in,some of us would get together and because one of the guys was from a family
that owned a funeral parlor,we would use a 7 passenger Packard limo to travel to
the hunting area.The only restriction was to clean the car after use and not to use any
of the 4 Packards if a funeral was scheduled.One key started all of them and locked the doors and trunks.
The school principal found out I had a 45-70 in the locker and asked if it was a single shot like he hunted with years earlier.When I told it was a lever action repeater he said,"This I want to see". He did and thought it was the finest hunting rifle he ever looked at.
I have to agree when it comes to repeaters.

Bob Roller

[sultzbach71]

Hi Bob I recall meeting you a few months back in lexington at the contemporary gun show. I was with my father Bruce Sultzbach and his high school and lifetime friend Mickey Bracket. We were standing at a booth talking to Jud Brenner who was in from Alaska. It's the beautiful work that interests me the most I'm pretty good with my hands and have always enjoyed working with wood since I was just a boy. I believe I can do it I just need a little help figuring out some of the little things. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment.


Colby

[Stoner creek]

 I have a shop in Paris, Ky.. Usually busy out there on weekends during the cold months. I'm an hour from you. I'm glad to share what little that I know. Been doing this for about 30 years.

[Topknot]

Sultzbach, Man it dont get no better than that. You better jump on them offers,you lucked out. WoW .... I have been a member of A.L.R. for almost 3 years and I still trying to find someone that would teach me. I have posted here on this site 2 or 3 times and still havent had any luck. Sure I have all the books and videos on building but Its not like having someone to teach the correct way to go about doing the steps of building. I cant afford to go to the classes in lexington, If I could  I would be there for sure. Like i said ....you lucked out for sure. I hope you do well.

                                                      topknot

[valongrifles]

When I was in high school (long time ago?)' bout 1970, the FFA guys brought their .22s to school ON THE BUS! Bolts out, but on the bus and stayed after school to shoot target IN THE SHOP building. And if you didn't carry a pen knife you were considered a sissy. My how times have changed.

[kaintuck]

I have a shop in Paris, Ky.. Usually busy out there on weekends during the cold months. I'm an hour from you. I'm glad to share what little that I know. Been doing this for about 30 years.

He's one of the house kin!!! .  !!!!
Paris had a nice gun shop with a indoor range I took mom to years back......is it still there?

Marc n tomtom

[Stoner creek]

Yep. Still there. Not planning on going far either!