Judson Brennan: Alaskan Longrifle Artisan: February 2014

Monday, February 24, 2014

The Golden Rifle Part 1

From a Distance

The author of this blog wishes to thank Aaron Morse who graciously traveled from Anchorage to Fairbanks to shoot these photographs! He brought his professional grade equipment including his full frame digital SLR's, a complete strobe set and Canon Lenses of incredible quality. Jud and I are grateful for his generosity in providing the equipment and his expertise in taking these images.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Preview: An Incredibly Beautiful New Rifle from Judson Brennan

The author wishes to apologize to the followers of this blog for the nearly 5 month hiatus in posting new work! This has been a very busy time for Jud and his sons on Tenderfoot Hill with many important and stunning new projects initiated and completed.

Chief among these has been the completion of a 6 year work of immense beauty and importance which I choose to call "The Golden Rifle". A few introductory pictures follow.

This long awaited rifle was shipped to its owner in December. Subsequent posts on this blog will highlight this project following its creation over the past 6 years.

I believe that this rifle represents the culmination of Jud's artistry, craftsmanship and imagination!

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/