Judson Brennan: Alaskan Longrifle Artisan: The Exceptional English Rifle Nearly Finished

Saturday, April 13, 2019

The Exceptional English Rifle Nearly Finished

Jud has nearly completed this project. This rifle in the early 1700's English Style shows amazing decoration and detailed engraving highlighting Jud's accumulated knowledge and artistic genius.

The first 8 photos were taken a week ago to show the side plate and lock in place, and the gold work and engraving in progress.

The last 6 photos show details of the completed breach gold inlay and engraving. These were captured during a visit to Tenderfoot Hill yesterday.

Jud is anticipating completion in about two weeks with the culminating step the etching of the barrel to bring out the details of his forge made and welded damascus steel barrel. This will be accomplished using concentrated sulfuric acid sourced with great difficulty by the the author at a local tannery!

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/