Official Publication of the NMLRA Since 1939 Volume 79 – No. 2 $5.00 October 2017 FULL-STOCKED HAWKEN RIFLES ARMING THE 9TH REGIMENT The Art of Harvey Hildebrand WILDERNESS WRITINGS: for BATTLE OF TIPS the TRAIL PIERRE'S HOLE A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, The Second Amendment the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. By Tom Schiffer Or: Don’t let the shootingBY TOM SCHIFFER get in the way of the fun! 7/11/17 8:00 AM $ .95 296692 History BookOrder Cover 13.indd 1 Now - Price 69 plus $10 .00 shipping. Call 812.667.5131 Ext. 232 or email Lindsey Nelson - [email protected] For International Orders Please Contact The Office. Tom will be signing book immediately following the membership meeting at our Fall Championship Shoot on Sunday September 10th at 7pm EDITOR’S LETTER Head to Pennsylvania for the 18th Century Trade Faire & Rifle Frolic Lee A. Larkin Editor Can you believe that another Fall National Shoot at Friendship has come and gone? If you have not had your fill of shooting for the year, be sure to head to central Pennsylvania, for the 18th Century Trade Faire and Rifle Frolic. The Rifle Frolic will be held at the Altoona Rifle and Pistol Club, October 6-8, 2017. Check out Jim Fulmer’s “Beyond Friendship” at the back of this issue for more information. We have a number of interesting feature articles for October: Richard Apsley gives a look into a militia unit from Indiana that was mustered on a number of occasions during the Civil War, in his article titled: “A Standing Security Against Invasion and Depredation: Arming the 9th Regiment, Jennings County, Indiana Legion, 1861-1865”; Fred Lipp gives us insight into what it takes to rifle a barrel the old way in “Grooving a Rifle Barrel”; Mike Phifer takes us back to the Fur Trade era “Battle of Pierre’s Hole”; Fred Stutzenberger, gives us the short story about a gun that took forty years to build in “The Forty Year Chunk Gun”; and Bob Woodfill continues his study of Hawken rifles with “The Full Stock Hawken.” Be sure to check out the Bevel Brothers as they continue their discussion of the matches at the Primitive Range at Friendship; John Curry’s “Wilderness Writings” focuses on some great “Tips for the Trail”; Alan Garbers gives us another interesting installment of “Web Blasts”; Al Raychard discusses “Why I Hunt – and Why Everyone Should”; and, last but not least, Jim Fulmer discusses two of the newest NMLRA events that are helping to introduce muzzleloading to shooters and non-shooters alike. All in all, there is a little something for everybody in this issue. Here is hoping you enjoy it. Until next time: Keep your powder dry and an eye on your back trail! Cover and Center Spread Photo Credit: Harvey Hildebrand, featured story in the March 2017 issue of Muzzle Blasts Magazine, www.hiltandbrandink.com Muzzle Blasts Statement Muzzle Blasts is your membership magazine included in the annual membership fee of $40. Muzzle Blasts (ISSN-0027-5360) is published monthly by the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Material content of the publication relates only to the muzzleloading guns, accoutrements, Association, Maxine Moss Drive, Friendship, IN 47021. Rate of membership is $40 per and historical data of that particular era. Because of the diversified approach to muzzle- year. Periodicals postage paid at Friendship, Indiana, and additional mailing offices. POST- loading guns, Muzzle Blasts is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers, and is MASTER: Send address changes to Muzzle Blasts, P.O. Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021-0067. not responsible for mishaps of any nature that might occur from use of published data or CAUTION: All technical data in this publication, especially for loading, reflect the limited from recommendations by any member of the staff. experience of individuals using specific tools, products, equipment, and components under Advertising appearing in this magazine relates to the muzzleloading era and appears purely on specific conditions and circumstances not necessarily reported in the article and over which a non-endorsement basis by either the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Assn. or Muzzle Blasts. the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA) has no control. The data have not otherwise been tested or verified by the NMLRA. The NMLRA, its agents, officers, The Muzzle Blasts editor has the right to refuse advertising for any reason whatsoever. and employees accept no responsibility for the results obtained by persons using such data For information on submitting articles, advertising rates, magazine mechanicals, and so and disclaim all liability for any consequential injuries or damages. forth, send for free brochure to NMLRA, P.O. Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021, or call No advertised item is intended for sale in those states or in those areas where local restrictions (812) 667-5131. may limit or prohibit the purchase, carrying, or use of certain items. Membership fees are explained on the Association Affairs pages in this issue; $40 is the one-year Check local laws before purchasing. Mention of a product or service in membership fee for 2017 advertisements or text does not necessarily mean that it has been tested 2017 Copyright © National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association, Friendship, Indiana, or approved by the NMLRA. 47021 USA. October 2017 3 Contents 8 14 Full Stocked Hawken Rifles Tips for the Trail Bob Woodfill John Curry 32 49 Grooving a Rifle Barrel Battle of Pierre's Hole Fred Lipp Mike Phifer Contact Us! Muzzle Blasts Staff National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association Muzzle Blasts Coordinator P.O. Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021 Carrie Bruce Telephone (812) 667-5131 Fax (812) 667-5136 [email protected] (812) 667-5131 ext. 230 E-mail Address for NMLRA office—[email protected] Muzzle Blasts Editor Business Hours Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST Lee A. Larkin [email protected] 4 MuzzleBlasts Volume 79 – No. 2 • October 2017 68 Muzzleloading Afield - Life Less 73 Ordinary Why I Hunt — And Why Everyone Should The Bevel Brothers Al Raychard Editor's Letter The Art of Harvey 03 Lee A. Larkin 42 Hildebrand Association Affairs The 40-Year Chunk Gun 06 44 Fred Stutzenberger President's Message Junior Blasts 07 Joe Hill 54 Alan Garbers 1 of 1000 New Members Charter Club 11 56 Shoot Dates Last Relay Walter Cline Range 13 60 Calendar Arming the 9th Regiment Financial Statement 20 Richard S. Apsley 62 Web Blasts Rendezvous Monthly 36 Alan Garbers 66 Advertising & Muzzle Blasts Secretary Lindsey Brown Letters to the Editor NMLRA Classified Ads [email protected] (812) 667-5131 ext. 231 38 78 Muzzle Blasts Designer Charter Club Chatter Beyond Friendship Stacy Gibson 40 82 James C. Fulmer October 2017 5 National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association P.O. Box 67, Friendship, IN 47021 Telephone (812) 667-5131 FAX (812) 667-5136 Business Hours 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. EST (Mon.– Fri.) E-mail Address for NMLRA office—[email protected] Muzzle Blasts Coordinator Carrie Bruce—[email protected] of Concern to the Membership Muzzle Blasts Editor Lee A. Larkin—[email protected] Association Affairs Advertising & Muzzle Blasts Secretary Lindsey Brown—[email protected] NMLRA Platform NMLRA Officers and Directors As an association founded upon our heritage of early American firearms, we declare our support of Executive Committee the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Terms Ending 2018 We are dedicated to: President— Clifford (Ted) Blackwell ........ Beech Grove, IN Joe Hill David DeLong ...................Round Pond, ME 1. The understanding of, and the ability in, marksmanship with early American muzzleloading guns. 25792 Bright Leaf Drive, West Harri- 2. Match promotion for the purpose of advancing fine accuracy with these arms and the establishment son, IN 47060 • (513) 678-5550 Adina Cloud .................................... Paoli, IN of standard practices for competition. [email protected] Jerry von Dielingen ..................Lexington,KY 3. The recognition and support for the continuing and growing interest in the added challenge of Colton Fleetwood ....................... Vallonia, IN hunting with a muzzleloading gun. Vice President— John (Digger) Kemple ..................... Paoli, IN Brent Steele 4. Greater safety with all guns, especially with muzzleloading rifles, pistols, and shotguns. Mike Yazel .................................Mentone, IN 714 Leatherwood Rd, Bedford, IN 5. The collecting, preservation, and recreation of antique guns and related accoutrements, and the 47421 • (812) 276-3326 Terms Ending 2019 recognition of the value of living history re-enactments. [email protected] Dana Dore ..........................Chino Valley, AZ NMLRA Mission Statement Alan Shourds ............................. Chrisney, IN The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association exists to promote, support, nurture, and Secretary— preserve NMLRA’s and our nation’s rich historical heritage in the sport of muzzleloading through Colton Fleetwood Rebecca Waterman ............New Bremen, OH recreational, educational, historical, and cultural venues such as match competition, hunting, gun 10207 N. St. Rd. 135, Vallonia, IN Brent Steele .................................Bedford, IN making and safety, historical re-enactments, exhibits, museums, libraries, and other related programs 47281 • (812) 968-9120 Andy Larson .............................Houston, TX [email protected] NMLRA Office Staff – (812) 667-5131 (phone extensions listed) Alliey Nunn .........................Indianapolis, IN Accounting Manager—Joan Rohrig, ext. 227; [email protected] Treasurer— Roger Spurgeon ....................Indianapolis, IN Accounting Assistant—Dianna Smith, ext. 225; [email protected] Mike Yazel Terms Ending 2020 P.O. Box 492, Mentone, IN 46539 Advertising and Muzzle Blasts Secretary—Lindsey Brown ext 231; [email protected] (574) 551-7687 William (Bill) Foy Jr. ...................Marion, OH Maintenance Supervisor—Dan Thomas [email protected] Alan Hoeweler ........................Cincinnati, OH Membership Manager, Muzzle Blasts Coordinator— Carrie Bruce ext. 230; [email protected] Jeff Cunningham .............................. Paoli, IN Charter Clubs, Membership and Education Secretary—Lora Parks, ext.