During the winter of 2018, Jud began work on an important project for the Contemporary Longrifle Association, a superb longrifle to be raffled by the organization for its 25th anniversary. Jud began the project in February and it was finished by August of that year. Jud intended for this rifle to be his modern interpretation and an outstanding example of the beauty and artisanal craftsmanship exemplified by the original rifle makers of the 18th Century. He enlisted the help and expertise of his sons Jesse and Seth who each contributed to the project. Seth made the triggers and Jesse fabricated the ramrod pipes and finished the fore-end of the stock.
The photos that follow show the project as it developed with the drawings, the shaping of the stock, fitting of inlays, engraving and final finishing.
The final set of photos show Jud, Jesse and Frank House posing with the finished rifle at the CLA 2019.
A beautiful masterpiece.
ReplyDeleteMy grandfather was a hunter, trapper and also a gunsmith in his youth, but his pieces were simple affairs by comparison
True masterpiece— the skills displayed in this rifle is unreal.
ReplyDeleteIncredible work
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