Monday, June 11, 2012

2012 CLA Live Auction 3

I am loaning my blog for the posting of information and images about the 2012 CLA Live Auction that will be held on Saturday, August 18th, at the annual show in Lexington, Kentucky. MUZZLELOADER's own T.C. Albert is the auction chairman this year and has assembled an outstanding line-up of auction items. Even if you can't make the show and auction, I know you will enjoy the images.

Bill Scurlock





“Joseph Stewart” Horn and Pouch Set

During the autumn of 2011, CLA auction chairman Tim Albert contacted me regarding a project for the CLA's 2012 Live Auction in Lexington. I agreed to make a shot pouch. Mark Ewing of Lincolnton, North Carolina, volunteered to make the powder horn, and Eric Van Alstine of Mexico, Missouri, offered to make a bag knife.





Tim found photos and specifications for a powder horn with provenance to the War of 1812. The powder horn was the property of Joseph Stewart, a veteran of that war. Tim sent this information to Mark Ewing, a member of the Honourable Company of Horners and the CLA. Mark produced a fine documentary copy of the Stewart horn and forwarded the horn on to Bill Carter who reproduced the scrimshawed inscription original to the old horn. Bill is also a CLA and HCH craftsman. Their combined work created an exacting copy.

Meanwhile I tried to find photos of a shot pouch that had been used in the War of 1812. My search being totally unsuccessful, I simply created a pattern for a double D shaped pouch typical of the first quarter of the 19th Century. I acquired a small deer skin and applied a darkened patina using various leather dyes. 


While this was in progress, Eric Van Alstine made a nice knife from an old file, carved a curly maple handle and fitted it with a cast pewter ferrule. Eric antiqued the finished knife with great results.

I obtained a reproduction old-time adjustable brass powder measure from Jim Chambers, an iron vent pick from Ed Wilde and a couple of antique iron buckles from Jerry Noble. A patina was applied to the measure. The bag was lined with a reproduction striped linen from Burnley and Trowbridge. The shoulder straps are leather. I made the pick and brush set using Wilde's pick, a brush handle from a modified cartridge case and bristles from an old shoe brush.

It was a great delight to see everything come together so well. Eric, Mark, Bill and I all worked on the project without a clear idea of what the other three were turning out. In the end the powder horn and knife were sent to me. All of the parts of the whole kit fit beautifully, and the proportions ended up being very pleasing to the eye.

When Mark Ewing sent me the powder horn he included the provenance which Tim Albert had provided. That information is in the shot pouch, and will be available for inspection at the auction.

Respectfully submitted,
Chris Barker – Dallas, Texas

For more information about the auction or CLA membership please visit: http://www.longrifle.com/



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