Friday, May 11, 2012

2012 CLA Live Auction: "Joseph Stewart" Horn and Pouch Set by Chris Barker, Mark Ewing, Bill Carter and Eric Van Alstine

Team work and cooperation have become hallmark of the CLA and its members. The "Joseph Stewart" horn and pouch set made especially for the upcoming CLA live auction in Lexington this August, and the four CLA members that worked together to create it, embody what that attitude can accomplish even by proxy working together separately across the country.

The coordinator of this project was Chris Barker, and he describes how the team members pulled it all together best:     

"During the Autumn of 2011 CLA official Tim Albert contacted me regarding a project for the CLA's 2012 Live Auction in Lexington.  The theme was to be the War of 1812.  The Contemporary Longrifle Association wanted a reproduction of a pouch and horn set of that time. I agreed to make a shot pouch.  Mark Ewing of Lincolnton, North Carolina volunteered to make the powder horn, and Eric Van Alstine of Mexico, Missouri offered to make a bag knife. 

Tim found photos and specifications for a powder horn with provenance to the War of 1812.  The powder horn was the property of Joseph Stewart, a veteran of that war.  Tim sent this information to Honourable Company of Horners and CLA craftsman Mark Ewing.  Mark produced a fine documentary copy of the Stewart horn.  Mark forwarded the horn on to Bill Carter who reproduced the scrimshawed inscription original to the old horn.  Bill is also a CLA and HCH craftsman.  Their combined work created an exacting copy.  


Meanwhile I tried to find photos of a shot pouch that had been used in the War of 1812.  My search being totally unsuccessful I simply created a pattern for a double D shaped pouch typical of the first quarter of the 19th Century.  I acquired a small deer skin and applied a darkened patina using various leather dyes.  I am careful not to use oven cleaner or any other caustic substances on leather. 


While this was in progress Eric Van Alstine made a nice knife from an old file, carved a curly maple handle, and fitted it with a cast pewter ferrule.  Eric antiqued the finished knife with great results. 
I obtained a reproduction old time adjustable brass powder measure from Jim Chambers, an iron vent pick from Ed Wilde, and a couple of antique iron Buckles from Jerry Noble.  A patina was applied to the measure.  The bag was lined with a reproduction striped linen from Burnley and Trowbridge.  The shoulder straps are leather.  I made the pick and brush set using Wilde's pick, a brush handle from a modified .38 Special cartridge case, and bristles from an old shoe brush. 


It was a great delight that everything went together so well.  Eric, Mark, Bill, and I all worked on the project without a clear idea of what the other three were turning out.  In the end the powder horn and knife were sent to me, and all the parts of the whole kit went fit beautifully and the proportions ended up being very pleasing to the eye. 


When Mark Ewing sent me the powder horn he included the provenance which Tim Albert had provided.  That information is in the shot pouch, and will be available for inspection at the auction." 







Copy and photos supplied by Chris Barker.

For more information about the auction or CLA membership please visit: Longrifle 

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