Taking aim
Muzzle
loaders’ National
Spring Shoot set for June 13-21
Period
games and activities
at Living History Center
Staff
Report
(June 2009) – The National Muzzle Loading Rifle
Association in Friendship, Ind., will hold its week-long celebration
of all things relating to the sport and history of muzzleloading June
13-21. Black powder shooting competitions, Early American living history
demonstrations and classes, museum displays, youth activities, and some
of the finest commercial vendors in the muzzleloading community will
be available to see.
The National Spring Shoot is an opportunity to view an important part
of our nation’s heritage in operation. The event grounds are located
in southeastern Indiana about forty miles from Cincinnati. Public attendance
is welcome and encouraged.
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Photo
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most colorful |
• Eighteenth and early 19th century crafts abound
in the “Living History Center: The most colorful aspect of the
Nationals is the interactive living history program featured in the
Primitive Encampment-Living History Center. Located on the banks of
Laughery Creek, this area serves to remind visitor and participant alike
of the importance of the historical heritage behind the sport of muzzleloading.
At various times throughout the Nationals, visitors might be treated
to the sounds of French Canadian harmonies, fife and drums, Early American
songs, or hammer dulcimer and bagpipe music. Scheduled programs and
traditional crafts artisans include an heirloom seed dealer, a wigwam
display, woodworking, a frontier scout horse encampment, weaving, 18th
century medicine, and many more demonstrations in camps scattered throughout
the Living History Center grounds. Classes and workshops include ones
devoted to the arts of painted floor cloths, bowmaking, blacksmithing
and leatherworking.
Special activities are planned for children, including butter churning,
bead stringing, an archaeology class, a Native American-style pottery
class, period games, costume try-on, and candle dipping! Period foods
will be featured, including homemade root beer, perfect for a warm and
sunny June day.
• Rand House Museum Displays: The NMLRA Rand House Museum
welcomes several guest exhibitors for the National Spring Shoot
The National Rifle Association, Rex Patterson, Mike Gingher and Jeff
Jaeger will all have antique firearms and accoutrements on display.
Museum hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 13-20.
• Rex Patter-son’s collection focuses on the unique,
revolutionary rifles of John Hall. Hall received a contract from the
United States government in 1819 to produce weapons for the Army. He
had many ideas to improve the gun making process, including 100 percent
interchangeable parts.
Hall produced the first military weapon of percussion ignition, the
1833 Carbine, which also had the first ramrod bayonet. The truly unique
thing about Hall’s weapons was that they are loaded from the breech.
It was no longer necessary to be standing to load a gun.
Jeff Jaeger, current Vice President of the Indiana Antique Arms Collectors
Association, will be bringing a large collection of firearms, including
a circa 1840’s Indiana-made fullstock which garnered a “Top
Ten Award” at the 2008 National Rifle Association’s Annual
Meeting in Louisville, Ky., where hundreds of fine antique firearms
were displayed from around the country.
• Exciting Firearms Competitions: National-class competitive
muzzleloading shooting is a strong focus of this gathering. As a special
feature this year, the National Rifle Association will be bringing their
Muzzleloading Championship matches to the National Spring Shoot.
The NRA and NMLRA have teamed up to bring many new competition opportunities,
as participants can now compete in the NRA National Muzzle Loading Championships
and at the same time shoot the NMLRA’s National Spring Shoot. Try
to win an NRA National Champions-hip and set NRA national records, all
while shooting for NMLRA honors, too. There are so many matches that
there is truly something for shooters of all skill levels, and with
all types of muzzleloading equipment.
On June 15, Larry Pletcher will be filming gun locks in high speed (5000
frames per second) with the assistance of Norman Baumgartner from Olympus.
A lock that takes 1/500th of a second to fire will be slowed down to
about a minute of film giving you the opportunity to see what really
happens when the sparks fly! CDs will be available for those who have
their locks filmed.
To see truly fine examples of craftsmanship, visit Gunmaker’s Hall
during the Nationals. Exhibited at this facility are some of the finest
examples of modern gunbuilding by today’s master craftspeople.
Gunmaker’s Hall also sponsors a series of lectures during the Shoot.
• Shopping Opportun-ities: The Commercial Vendor area features
a myriad of muzzleloading guns and supplies for the serious shooter
or the enthusiastic beginner. Many rows of booths offer merchandise
ranging from guns and gun parts to books, period clothing, leather goods,
and other supplies relating to the sport. The Commercial Vendors offer
a wonderful opportunity to listen and learn from the experts in the
hobby.
Handicap parking is available. No pets are allowed except assistance
animals. Gate hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 13-21. Admission is
charged for visitors 16 and up, and a portion of the parking fee benefits
the local American Legion.
• For more information on the NMLRA’s National Spring Shoot and the living arts programming, contact the MNLRA at 1-800-745-1493 or visit: www.nmlra.org. For directions to the site, and information about hotel and motel facilities and other area attractions, contact the Ripley County Tourism Bureau offices at 1-888-747-5394 or visit: www.RipleyCountyTourism.com.