The Seminole Wars

Andrew Hind reviewed this book by Ron Field in the July/August issue.

Bill Scurlock

Native Reenacting Made Easy

I reviewed this book by Michael L. Pitzer in the July/August 2010 issue. It's a good book with simple steps to help you create a believable image for historical events and reenactments. It's available from www.axeheadpublishing.com

Bill Scurlock

Kim Thomas Brazier Correction

I transposed the area code on Kim Thomas' phone number in the review of his brazier in the JulyAugust issue. The correct phone number is 330-769-9906. Sorry about that.


Anyway, here is another view of Kim's beautiful brazier. You can see more at mastersinwroughtiron.com


Bill Scurlock

Fort Turner Pup Tomahawk

The little tomahawk was reviewed by Mike Nesbitt in "Prime Possibles" in the July/August issue of MUZZLELOADER. It has a 2-3/4" blade edge and weighs about a pound.

Bill Scurlock

Callahan's Multi-Tool

I got one of Larry Callahan's multi-tools and have been using it when I shoot. I reviewed it in "Prime Possibles" in the July/August 2010 issue. It's a dandy little tool for flintlock shooters and measures about 2-3/4" long. The best way to contact Larry is by phone at 636-475-7444.

Bill Scurlock

Peters' Marlin Spikes

Mike Nesbitt reviewed these marlin spikes by Wally Peters in "Prime Possibles" in the July/August 2010 issue. Historically used by sailors to work with the ropes on a ship, these can also come in handy for working with ropes in a period encampment. You can contact Wally via email at wwpete52@gmail.com.

Bill Scurlock

Childress Buttons

Linda reviewed these thread buttons made by Cheryl Childress in "Prime Possibles" in the July/August 2010 issue of MUZZLELOADER. The black and white image in the magazine showed the detail pretty well, and this image shows the color. The top buttons are dorset wheel style. The 3 on the right are death head buttons in black, red and yellow. The bottom left group are simple thread buttons. You can see more at www.BlueCatButtonworks.com.

Bill Scurlock

July/August Issue

The July/August 2010 issue of MUZZLELOADER is on the way. It was mailed last Thursday. That is a few days earlier than has been the norm.

This issue is another great mix of articles from our staff writers, as well as some fine special features including "Certifiably Native," an article on the items and artisans in this year's CLA auction; "A Home of Logs" by Gerry Barker on construction on the overmountain frontier; and "Death on the Oregon Trail" by Fred Stutzenberger.

The cover features an original painting by John Buxton, www.buxtonart.com.

Look for it soon, and I hope you enjoy it.

Bill Scurlock

Rudy McKinney Candle Box

We met Pat and Rudy McKinney several years ago at Mansker's trade fair. It was always a pleasure to see them each year. Saw Rudy again this year at the Raid at Martin's Station. In one of the last two years that Mansker's was held, we bought this candle box from Rudy. It's finished with two coats of milk paint and measures 14" X 6" X 4".

Pat makes beautiful woven tapes on a loom that they made and was featured in the Christmas 2009 issue of Early American Life magazine.

They live in Elizabethtown, Kentucky and can be contacted via email at pat-rudy@msn.com.

Bill Scurlock

Steve Baxter Buckles

This is a group of iron buckles I bought from Steve Baxter at Mansker's trade fair back in 2003. They were reviewed in the Sept/Oct issue of that year. Steve makes several sizes, three of these being 1", and the oval is 1-1/2". I saw Steve at this year's Raid at Martin's Station, so I know that he is still making them.

Bill Scurlock

Zornes Virginia Axe

This is a Virginia axe that Larry Zornes made back in 2006. I reviewed it in "Prime Possibles" in the Jan/Feb 2007 issue. It's a replica of one found in a 1750s fortified house in Virginia. Larry made the mold that the heads are cast from. This particular head was also heated and forged to draw and pack the edge. The head measures 5-7/8" long.

Larry runs the Mold and Gun Shop in Jackson, Ohio, where he sells gun parts and kits, primarily trade guns, and makes gunlock and axe molds (among other things) for himself and other suppliers.

Bill Scurlock

Jeff Young Spatula

Here's a small size spatula made by Jeffery Young from Beaver, Pennsylvania. With a 2-1/2" wide blade and measuring 8-1/2" overall, it's about half-size or even a little smaller that a full-sized, forged spatula. Jeff basically developed it after a friend bragged about turning corn cakes with a spatula from a toy set. He then asked Jeff to make one that was stylistically correct to the 18th century. I thought this was a pretty cool piece and have used it at several camps. This appeared in "Prime Possibles" in the Mar/Apl 2004 issue.

Bill Scurlock

John Upton Pouch

This small calfskin pouch, measuring 7 inches at the widest point, was made about 27 years ago by John Upton, a good friend from South Arkansas. I don't think John ever really made these for sale, but made a few for his buckskinning friends down here.

Bill Scurlock

Shawn Webster Sheath

I got this quilled sheath from Shawn Webster a number of years ago. That's Joe Seabolt's knife in the sheath. Formerly of Utah, Shawn now lives in Kentucky and continues to do great work.

Bill Scurlock

Ball/Shot Bag

I got this ball bag several years ago, but I'm sorry to say that can't remember who made it. The turned horn spout is about 5/8 inch on the inside. It has a nice split stopper that won't accidentally fall out. The bag is 2-1/2 inches wide, and the overall length is 5-1/2 inches.

Bill Scurlock

Gionne Sheath and McCarthy Knife

I bought this neck sheath and knife from Mike Medeires at the Fort Frederick Trade Fair. Though they weren't originally made as a pair, Mike paired them up for sale.

The quilled sheath is by Robert Gionne of Connecticut. The knife is by Tim McCarthy. Beautiful work by both gentlemen.

Bill Scurlock

Webster and Lodding Bag

I couldn't find it right off, but I reviewed this bag and a couple of others several years ago in "Prime Possibles." Steve Lodding and Shawn Webster had teamed up and were making neat bags for the Rocky Mountain trapper based on the artwork of Alfred Jacob Miller and other sources.

I recently saw Shawn at the Raid at Martin's Station, and he's back into making some bags, as well as fine quillwork and other items. Steve Lodding is still making neat guns and accoutrements too. You can usually find examples of their work in the For Sale section of the CLA website (www.longrifle.com).

Bill Scurlock

Three Rivers Black Powder Solvent

This black powder solvent was also reviewed by Mike Nesbitt in the May/June "Prime Possibles." It's available from The Gun Works in Springfield, Oregon.

Bill Scurlock

October Country's Tips and Jags

Mike reviewed October Country's new brass tips and jags in "Prime Possibles" in the May/June issue.

Bill Scurlock

Bike Stand Stock Holder

Tom Fletcher, a subscriber from the Denver area, had these photos and a letter published in "Smoke Signals" in the May/June issue. Tom stumbled upon this stock-holding solution quite by accident and wrote a letter to share it with others. The portable bike stand has a rotating clamp and provides a convenient way to hold a stock outside, or anyplace else.

Thanks for the tip, Tom.

Bill Scurlock

Wally Peters' Flinter's Tool

This tool was reviewed by Mike Nesbitt in "Prime Possibles" in the May/June 2010 issue of MUZZLELOADER. Peters does some good and interesting work.

Bill Scurlock