OK, it's 2:00am and during this hypomanic epsode, allow me to elaborate on that last remark. As many of you know, Jacobsburg Plantation/Historical Society is the home of the Pennsylvania Museum of the Longrifle. This is the site of the original Henry gun factory, and in partnership with the Commonwealth, the area has been rejuvenated, organized and opened to the public as a cultural and historic jewel of eastern Pennsylvania. The location is north of Easton, PA, just off Rt. 33 at Boulton exit. Call for hours.
As part of Jacobsburg's mission, they run a gunsmithing apprentice program. The program runs in a spring/fall cycle, if I am correct. The first class is for beginners and the goal is to take a novice and give him/her enough knowledge base to build a gun. The desire to develop skills and a willingness to learn is all you need to sign up. Most students go out on their own and get something to build. These projects often become the focus of many sessions.
A second class is held annually for graduates of the first program. Here, the focus is on artistic decoration, advanced problems in construction and building, learning to make parts, and regional differences. My success in both classes is a testament to the instructors' patience with slow learners.
The backbone of this program would be Tim Lubenesky and his companions who oversee administrative matters as well as the professional gunsmiths who donate their time to make the project work. One key builder and instructor was George Dech, of Bath, who passed not too long ago. He was a master, and a master teacher.
The three active gunsmiths who were also there in my day were Jim Correll of Weatherly, Rich Hujsa of Lehigh/Northampton and Rocky Shreck, also of that area. I don't even know if all of these guys are even taking orders today, but any work that they do is top shelf. Sure, if you wise guys from Lehigh and environs actually want to associate with us Central PA types, have a formal sit-down of sorts, there's this place up in Appalachian, NY...
