Judson Brennan: Alaskan Longrifle Artisan: August 2011

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Engraved Tomahawk by Jud

Monday, August 8, 2011

J.P. Beck style rifle #124: for Boy Scouts in Lebanon Pennsylvania

A very accurate rifle!

Jud made this .45 cal rifle for the Boy Scouts in Lebanon Township Pennsylvania. They appreciate the artistry of J.P. Beck and the Lebanon School.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Jud Brennan early style rifle #86: "I was free born"

Jud made this rifle for a good friend who resides in New York City. 46 inch barrel, .60 cal.
Photos taken at Jud's property on Tenderfoot Hill, Alaska, late spring 2011.
No felines were harmed in the making of these images!

David Brennan: Making a Bowie Knife - the finished knife

David Brennan: Making a Bowie Knife

Jud's Sons, Jesse, David and Seth work with him in his shop. Here, with Jud's encouragement and guidance, David Brennan forge hardens a Bowie blade that he has fashioned. The next panel will show the finished knife.

Christian Springs style rifle by Jud Brennan #126

Jud says: "This is my interpretation of a Christian Springs Longrifle. Cal .54, Siler lock and Davis triggers. This rifle will be on display at CLA 2011"

Judson J. Brennan was born in Lansing Michigan where he developed an interest in early American longrifles, especially the beautiful and artistic flintlock rifles that were hand made by artisans during the Golden Age of American frontier craftsmanship.

Thanks to the friendship and encouragement of mentors like Roy Keeler, as a young man Jud was able to actually handle and inspect the construction, and the proportion and balance of original Pennsylvania Kentucky rifles. He then set out to teach himself the techniques required to build, carve and engrave contemporary examples of these rifles. His work has been featured in many books and articles on the craft and artistry of these tools of the American pioneers.

In 1985 Judson fulfilled a lifelong dream by moving to Alaska where he settled with his family on Tenderfoot hill, 29 miles North of Delta Junction Alaska.

It is here that he built his house, his workshop, and his forge and it is here that he and his sons Jesse, David and Seth produce handmade historical arms and accoutrements in the traditional manner.

The purpose of this blog is to illuminate the beautiful and artistic works of this unique Alaskan family.

The author is collaborating with Jesse Brennan to present a new website for his work:

http://jessebrennanartsmith.blogspot.com

The author of this blog is Peter Marshall. He is a family physician in North pole, Alaska and has known Judson and his family since they arrived in Alaska in 1985. The author has a companion blog featuring his explorations around the State of Alaska.

It is called:

"Adventures of an Arctic Pilot" and it can be found on the web at:

http://k-syrahsyrah.blogspot.com/