2009 ANTIQUE FIREARMS AND INDIAN ARTIFACT SHOW

The 4th Annual Antique Firearms & Indian Artifacts Show opens at 9:00 am on Saturday morning, August 22nd at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, and will run until 4:00 pm.

This 2-building event features antique firearms and accouterments dating prior to and until 1898 It will include a combination of exhibitors and vendors with guns, accessories and items of related interest for both show and sale. Period style modern gun makers and other sutlers will also be present with examples of their related crafts, books and collecting supplies.

In addition to the gun show, the History Center has again teamed with the North Fork Chapter #29, Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, which will present an extensive display of prehistoric and historic Native American artifacts. Other activities include flint-knapping demonstrations, artifact identification for the public and an open atlatl competition. An atlatl, for those who aren’t familiar with the term, is a spear-throwing device used to propel a spear with much more force than can be generated by arm-throwing alone. The competition will be held in a field adjacent to the exhibit buildings. People new to the Atlatl are also invited to try their hand in a non-competitive learning experience.

NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED GUN MAKER RECREATES JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORY

Mr. Ron Luckenbill, has again been commissioned by the JCHC to create a reproduction of late percussion period rifle built by local gunsmith Abraham Burkett. The original Burkett rifle - which is featured on page 135 in Longrifles of Pennsylvania: Jefferson, Clarion and Elk Counties, Russell Harriger’s comprehensive book on regional gunsmiths is a short barrel .36 caliber hunting and target rifle. When Luckenbill created his reproduction of this unique rifle, which features a “Brookville eye” inlay on both the cheek piece and the opposing side wrist, he stayed very close to the original design, but opted for a larger caliber that would make it legal for hunting use. The result is a very accurate reproduction that captures the graceful lines and excellent balance of the original. The reproduction is finished with a beautiful curly maple stock and a .50 caliber barrel. Mr. Luckenbill is an excellent craftsman, and a feature article about his work appeared in the February Issue of Muzzle Blasts, the monthly publication serving the membership of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.

In addition to the rifle, which is the Grand Prize in the raffle drawing, the Historical Society will also be giving away four other prizes. Second prize is a handcrafted tomahawk also built by Mr. Luckenbill that features an engraved brass pipe head and an inlayed curly maple shaft. Third prize is a custom muzzleloader’s shooting box. Fourth prize is a signed copy of “Longrifles of Pennsylvania: Jefferson, Clarion and Elk Counties.” Fifth prize is a Hoppe’s Universal Gun Cleaning kit.

Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.

If you would like to purchase or help sell tickets, please contact the JCHC.