Author Topic: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers  (Read 3356 times)

Offline Tom Moore

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Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« on: August 07, 2023, 11:51:58 PM »
Hello Everyone.

I am building a list of contemporary Iowa gunmakers to go along with my book "Iowa Gunmakers in the 1800's" If you know of any Iowa gunmakers from the 1900's on, please send me their name, address or town that they worked, when they worked, and if they had a particular style they specialized in. My list is very short so far. I know of Mike Brooks, Steve Bookout, Bruce Strunk, Joe Wiest, & Floyd Moore. All of them have made some outstanding examples and I am sure there are very many others. Any information that you could share would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much, -Tom Moore

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #1 on: August 08, 2023, 06:49:23 AM »
Dean Chandler, Davenport iowa. 1950s through 2000ish
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Tom Moore

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2023, 06:42:44 PM »
Thanks Mike!

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2023, 05:01:38 AM »
Dennis Mulford. Maybe around Ames? Late 70s to early 80s. Went back to being a meat cutter. Built some nice high end stuff, but I don't think he made many although full time for a few years.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline T*O*F

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #4 on: August 09, 2023, 06:19:42 PM »
I own the Burns Schuetzen rifle mentioned in Tom Rowe's book on American Shuetzens.  It has a very interesting back story.  If you send me an email   oldfoxtraders@aol.com  I will dig the info out and send it to you.
Dave Kanger

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Offline EC121

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #5 on: August 10, 2023, 01:18:05 AM »
I have a Mulford rifle.  It is his version of the Schreit rifle.






Brice Stultz

Offline TPH

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #6 on: August 14, 2023, 01:59:15 AM »
What about Mike Brooks?
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Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #7 on: August 17, 2023, 12:59:21 AM »
What about Mike Brooks?


Nobody here has ever heard of him, but I've been told he's known for keeping his thoughts and ideas to himself.  ::)
I am the Lead Historian/Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
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Offline Stoner creek

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #8 on: August 17, 2023, 02:19:31 AM »
What about Mike Brooks?


Nobody here has ever heard of him, but I've been told he's known for keeping his thoughts and ideas to himself.  ::)

He’s a very introverted chap.
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Offline Tom Moore

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #9 on: August 18, 2023, 01:07:43 AM »
Sorry, I got called away for a few days. Thanks to all for your inputs and please keep them coming.

And EC121, thanks for the pic of the Mulford rifle. Very nice.

Offline taterbug

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #10 on: August 22, 2023, 04:56:19 PM »
i think a Mulford rifle was on a book cover, back in the 80's?  At least thats when I had my first foray into BP and buying my first books.  Maybe one of Sam Fadala's books? 

Offline EC121

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2023, 07:57:35 PM »
I think my rifle was the one in the book.  That is the reason I bought it.  Back then I bought the book and thought that was about the nicest rifle I'd ever seen.  Then a couple of years ago it came on the market.
 I have more pics if anyone is interested.
Brice Stultz

Offline HSmithTX

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2023, 11:49:20 PM »
I would like to see some more pictures of that rifle!

Offline EC121

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2023, 12:12:18 AM »
Here you go.


















Brice Stultz

Offline TDW

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #14 on: August 24, 2023, 06:57:05 PM »
 Mike, I believe Ames is right! I was managing a little muzzleloading gun shop in Anaheim, California during the 70s. Dennis was one of our regular customers, and belonged to our muzzleloading gun club. I sold him his first set of parts for his first build. When he was finished, he brought it back into the shop to show me. I was surprised at his level of attention to detail, and the overall quality of his first attempt. I believe Dennis moved himself and his family in the mid-70s, and I lost track of him. Much later (early 80s?) I was living in Montana and I ran into him at a rendezvous in Polebridge, Montana, and he was a full time builder living in Iowa. His work was stunning! We sat and traded stories about old friends for quite a while….

I haven’t thought of him in years, thanks for the memory jolt!
Tom W

Offline Tom Moore

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #15 on: August 25, 2023, 04:34:00 PM »
Just to let you know, Dennis is very much alive and kicking. He lives in eastern Iowa and I see him at my table at the Cedar Rapids gun show often. We do a little trading now and then. And he is still a very active shooter. Next time I see him I'll mention your names. -Tom

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #16 on: August 25, 2023, 04:56:01 PM »
Just to let you know, Dennis is very much alive and kicking. He lives in eastern Iowa and I see him at my table at the Cedar Rapids gun show often. We do a little trading now and then. And he is still a very active shooter. Next time I see him I'll mention your names. -Tom
I rarely miss the cedar rapids gunshow. I probably walk right past him (and you) several times a year and don't know it.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline HSmithTX

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #17 on: August 25, 2023, 09:31:16 PM »
Much appreciated EC!

Offline smylee grouch

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #18 on: August 26, 2023, 04:34:06 AM »
Jim " Peaving " Jaskoviak. (sp) Central Iowa close to Min border I think. :-\

Offline Angus

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #19 on: August 26, 2023, 04:41:39 AM »
"Pevine". I was thinking he was around Forest City or Webster City. I might have his address in some shoot listings.

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #20 on: August 26, 2023, 01:56:15 PM »
What level of gunmakers qualify for your list. I could name you several dozens that made a half dozen or so shooter grade guns.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Tom Moore

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #21 on: September 05, 2023, 10:52:05 PM »
Well Mike, that's a good question. I guess I would limit it to anyone who actually signed their guns. However many they made. That would preserve their efforts for posterity. Anyone who happened onto one would be able to find out at least a little history on who made it. My dad only made 6 guns but he is on the list. But, that might demonstrate a little personal bias. HA! -Tom

Offline D. Buck Stopshere

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #22 on: September 05, 2023, 11:25:34 PM »
Jim Jaskoviak is a NMLRA Field Rep for Iowa, and his contact info is available on the NMLRA website under “Programs”, the click on “Field Representatives”. Then scroll down to Iowa. NMLRA.org
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #23 on: September 05, 2023, 11:47:16 PM »
Jim Jaskoviak is a NMLRA Field Rep for Iowa, and his contact info is available on the NMLRA website under “Programs”, the click on “Field Representatives”. Then scroll down to Iowa. NMLRA.org
That's Art Fleenor. He's a member here.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline snapper

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Re: Wanted: Information on Contemporary Iowa Based Makers
« Reply #24 on: September 06, 2023, 12:14:46 AM »
Jim is the official field rep for Iowa and does a great job.  I am a field rep by default as a NMLRA board member.

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