Martin's Station Rifle Project

The Friends of Wilderness Road State Park have commissioned craftsmen Richard Sullivan, Mike Miller, and Martin Station's own Andy Thomas to craft and build an authentic Virginia longrifle.   The project will take place at Historic Martin's Station, over an 18 month period. They will work from the gunsmith's shop and the blacksmith's shop at the Station, dressed in period-correct clothing, and using the same tools and techniques as the original settlers used when building a colonial longrifle.  During the building process, events will be scheduled, designed to attract visitors from around the country.  The project and the site will be open for interpretation to educators, students of frontier history, re-enactors, and, of course, park visitors during crafting period.  Upon completion of the project, the longrifle will be awarded to the lucky ticket holder whose name will be drawn during a special celebration at the Raid at Martin's Station in May 2012, with the proceeds to benefit the Friends of Wilderness Road, a support group for the Park and Martin's Station.

Mike Miller and Andy Thomas

Richard Sullivan

Richard Sullivan and Jason Lannon forging the barrel during the 2010 Raid

Authentic Sand-Cast Trigger Guard

Setting the Master Mold for the Butt Plate

Authentic Sand-Cast Butt Plate

Checking Diameter Size of a Screw

Beginning the Reaming Process at Colonial Williamsburg

Passing First Bit Through the Barrel

Tools Used to Inlet Barrel Channel

Finished Lock

Patchbox

To purchase tickets, call Billy Heck at 276-445-3815 or email Billy at bily.heck@dcr.virginia.gov If you would like your ticket stubs mailed to you, please send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Rifle Project

8051 Wilderness Road

Ewing, VA 24248

Billy Heck will have the rifle at at the CLA Show in August.


Information supplied by Billy Heck of Martin's Station. For more photos of the rifle building progress go to Martin's Station Rifle Project.