Dick Toone Cots

A number of years ago, we bought these cots for Justin and Jacob to use at events. They were built by Dick Toone of R&R Toone, regular advertisers in MUZZLELOADER. Dick's work is first rate. We've visited with him and looked at his work in our several trips to the Fort Frederick trade fair. Not to disparage these cots, because they have been wonderful, but they do represent the low end of his workmanship. His George Washington folding bed, folding traveling chairs and other work are much more high class.

Bill Scurlock

A New Hershel House Knife

I recently purchased a new Hershel knife from the CLA website. The blade measures 7-1/2" and the overall length is 11-5/8". It has a poured pewter collar and a sterling silver end cap. The blade was hot stamped 11 times, including the turkey tracks.

Bill Scurlock

Red River Free Trappers 1980

The first Mid-America Rendezvous was sponsored by MUZZLELOADER in Mountain View, Arkansas, in 1980. I don't remember who, but someone was offering tintype images, so we posed for one. This is actually a scan of the original image on a piece of tin. The guys pictured were in our local Texarkana buckskinning group known as The Red River Free Trappers.

Left to right front row: Bobby McKellar (aka Young J.B.), Bill Scurlock, Oran Scurlock, Mike Johnson and Keith Tromza. Left to right back row: Rooster Bob McKellar, David Pearce, Richard Henry, John Upton and Bobby "Critter" Cooper.

These guys were a huge help in putting on the rendezvous. That's 30 years ago, guys. What a great time.

Bill Scurlock

Rob Miller Lanterns

These lanterns were reviewed in the Sept/Oct 2008 issue. Rob Miller uses aged metal and bubbled glass to create several styles of period lanterns. The one on the right is triangular and the one on the right has a round back. Both have a double cover over the vent at the top that helps to keep from burning your hand. 

Bill Scurlock

Original Shot Pouch

I picked this one up at an antique shop in Little Rock, Arkansas, about 15 years ago. Just an interesting homemade pouch with bird shot still in it.

Bill Scurlock

Mark Odle Ball Bag

Here's another Mark Odle creation from the mid 1990s. The wooden spout is attached to a bark tanned bag and wrapped with handmade natural cordage.

Bill Scurlock

20-Year-Old Clasp Knife

I bought this knife from G. Gedney Godwin about 20 years ago. It's been a good knife. Even skinned several deer with it. It measures 10" when open. I have no idea where he was getting these knives back then.

Bill Scurlock

Glenn McClain Knife

I have admired the work of Glenn McClain for many years, but never had one of his knives until this year's market fair at Fort Frederick. He and I made a trade on the small knife shown here. I didn't measure it, and don't have it with me right now, but it's probably about 8 inches overall. Glenn made the sheath too.

Glenn is highly renowned for his Scottish knives and hand-made tomahawks. In fact, we published an article on him by Paul R. Jones, complete with center color spread, in the July/August 1999 issue of MUZZLELOADER.

The handle is made of black ash burl.

Bill Scurlock

Independent Mountain Men of Pennsylvania Rendezvous

It was just brought to my attention that the dates for the 26th Annual Independent Mountain Man Rendezvous this year were printed incorrectly in their ad in the May/June issue of MUZZLELOADER. THE CORRECT DATES ARE JUNE 24–27, 2010. For more information call 724-586-5048, email or visit their web page at .

Bill Scurlock