Back in 1986 I bought a copy of "Custom Muzzleloading Rifles" by Toby Bridges at the Fort Lewis PX and almost wore out the pages. This post made me remember Fleanor's name. Here's what the book has to say about him:
"LeRoy Fleanor, in Gray, Tennessee, doesn't like to take an order for a rifle. Only on rare occasions will he agree to build a rifle to a customer's specifications. He prefers to build rifles that appeal to him.
"Most of Fleanor's rifles are of the Golden Age style. They are literally covered with elaborately-engraved brass or German-silver inlays. His inlay work is some of the best done. When he inserts a fancy piece of brass or silver into a stock, it looks as if the metal was already there and the wood grew around it. He hand-cuts many of the inlays, including the fancy brass or German-silver "wear plates" that often cover the belly of the forestock where the hand grasps the rifle when it comes to the shoulder. Other than an occasional handcrafted lock, however, all other components used on a Fleanor rifle come from suppliers specializing in these parts. The metal parts of a fancy Kentucky rifle built by Fleanor are commonly covered with engraving that many riflebuilders call "chicken scratchings". This engraving is simple, commonly comprised of zig-zag lines and patterns based on multiple straight lines. More originals were engraved with this type of pattern than with the fancy C and S scrolls usually associated with rifle engraving. Although simple, Fleanor's engravings are well-executed with tasteful patterns.
"By profession, LeRoy Fleanor is a survey engineer. Building rifles has become a pastime. His yearly production usually is less than a dozen rifles. Fleanor normally builds rifles during the winter, then sells them at spring matches held by the National Muzzleloading Rifle Association at Friendship, Indiana. He seldom has trouble in moving his beautiful and graceful long rifles or the occasional Hawken and southern mountain rifles he builds."
Hope this is of interest/helpful.
