It can been said that in the pioneer days of the mountains, the greatest artisans in a community may have been the gunsmiths. Working with few resources save for the abundance of timber, makers of flintlock and caplock rifles had to master the arts of blacksmithing, ironwork, and toolmaking, and often added the abilities of inlay and relief work. Within these constraints, the frontier gunsmith made rifles of such intricacy and durability that collectors of the best gunmakers’ works often will keep their collections secret so as not to tempt thieves.

Though the necessity of the Kentucky Long Rifle design has passed, the artistry of both the rifle and its maker remains, as enduring as all classic design and craftsmanship are. Among modern-day gunsmiths, Hershel House has a reputation as a maker of period rifles that, according to Field and Stream, “are viewed by many as the finest flintlock rifles in the world.”

From his shop and forge in Woodbury in Butler County, House makes long rifles of such quality and authenticity that for some 30-odd years his work has been sought after by period rifle aficionados, shooting match enthusiasts, and the occasional celebrity or two. Even Hollywood has come calling; for the upcoming Davy Crockett movie to be produced by David Zucker, House made a .47 caliber replica of Betsey, Crockett’s famous gun.

House became interested in working on rifles in 1956 when a family friend let him have a half-stocked percussion rifle that he found in her barn. He fixed the rifle and got it to firing, reaping great satisfaction from squirrel hunting with it. He saved up enough money in 1959 to buy materials and build a long rifle, which was also used for squirrel hunting and for use at area shooting matches.

After joining the Marine Corps in 1961 and doing a four-year stint (the only period when he did not live in Woodbury), House learned of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association and joined it. He came to meet several gunsmiths through the association and their annual shooting matches in Friendship, Indiana. In the summer of 1967, House started building long rifles full time. By the mid to late 1970s, House’s own style of rifle making had developed, tending toward Appalachian region flintlocks with hand-forged iron mounts.

Public acclaim has come to Hershel House in the form of media recognition. The most prestigious recognition likely is his inclusion in the renowned Foxfire series of books on self-sufficient living in the Appalachians. The multi-volume series detailed the making of a rifle by House in a chapter on gunmaking in Foxfire 5; references to House are sprinkled throughout the rest of the chapter, which testifies to his recognition by gunmaking peers. House was the subject of Lionel Atwill’s insightful feature “House of Long Rifles” in the May 1995 issue of Field and Stream. He is also featured in the videos Building a Kentucky Flintlock and Basic Blacksmithing, both available from American Pioneer Video in Bowling Green.

House is ardent about authenticity in his rifles, and the historical significance of the long rifle, especially the flintlocks, is pronounced in the settling of the Appalachian region. The rifle itself was a dramatic change in firearms over the musket; the inside of the barrel was bored or “rifled” with spiral grooves which caused the bullet to spin as it left the barrel, giving it extra stability and greater accuracy than the “smooth bore” musket. The optimal amount of bore twist that gave stability while keeping enough velocity for killing impact dictated a long barrel length; thus the Kentucky long rifle came into being.

By the time settlers came to the Appalachians, large game like the buffalo were gone; the largest animals pioneers encountered were black bear and deer, each of which may be taken by .38 to .40 caliber arms. The primary benefit of these .45-plus caliber long rifles in Appalachia became their accuracy in hunting small game for the table like squirrel and rabbit. For its ability to hit squirrels even in high branches of Appalachian trees, the long rifle was given the moniker of “squirrel rifle.”

The early long rifles used a flintlock ignition system, developed by the seventeenth century French; caplocks came along around 1820. Flintlocks were the dominant rifle until 1830, when according to House a near-universal changeover to caplocks occurred because the percussion cap was not vulnerable to wet weather like the flint was. Still, the flintlock is popular because, House says, “they’re a lot more colorful and more closely linked to early history.” Also, the flintlock is easier and faster to repair in case of a misfire, and if you need to replace the hammer, “you can always find a flint somewhere.” About 80 percent of the orders House gets for long rifles are flintlocks.

The types of long rifles House makes is based on what he called the “southern gun,” a design that emphasizes utility and eschews frills. On such guns, iron mounts are used rather than brass, in part since iron was not as easy for the hunter’s target to spot. In the plainer versions of the rifle known locally as a “poor boy’s rifle,” there are tallow holes rather than patch boxes, no detail decorations save for shallow parallel grooves, and no buttplate.

It would be a mistake, though, to assume that such a utilitarian firearm would appear as bland as a bowl of oatmeal. This reporter had the opportunity to see a newly-made long rifle while visiting House at his home for this story. The walnut-stock flintlock had the presence of an instant heirloom, the strength and character of fine antique furniture that had withstood time and use by generations.

Hershel says he makes as many components to his long rifles as he can, much like the original gunsmiths did. He hand forges the iron mounts (which include the trigger guard and bow) and makes the trigger from steel stock. He cuts, drills, rasps, and finishes the stock wood; in making the necessary measurements before cutting, he customizes the rifle to the individual who will be shooting it.

A detailed explanation of how House builds long rifles can be found in Foxfire 5. The 48 pages of text, illustrations, and drawings are described in the Spring 1997 issue of the Contemporary Longrifle Association publication Flintlock as “still to this day . . . one of the best ‘how to’ documents available on flintlock rifle construction.” The Foxfire series is still available; a visit to the gift shop at Mammoth Cave National Park, for instance, turned up a good selection of Foxfire volumes.

When asked about who he makes long rifles for, House said he is sought out by friends and those he associates with at rifle events. He strongly prefers to make long rifles for those who truly appreciate them. It usually takes one month for House to construct a long rifle.

House is also known for his ability in restoration. He restored the Capitol Rifle for its Knoxville owner; that firearm is documented to be Davy Crockett’s first gun, a fitting project given House’s later replication of Crockett’s Betsey. At about the same time House restored the Capitol Rifle, he restored a Lehigh Valley rifle built in 1787 by Peter Niehart.

In addition to making and restoring rifles, House has been involved in giving gunmaking and blacksmithing workshops. He still participates in some workshops like an upcoming one in Conner Prairie, Indiana, near Indianapolis. Known and talked about at rifle meets for his shooting skills, Hershel says he still participates in some shooting matches, though he concedes his “eyes are not as good as they used to be.”

Woodbury, a sleepy hamlet on the Green River, has gained some eminence as an artist community. Hershel House and his family certainly add to that impression of Woodbury. In addition to Hershel’s activities, his much-younger brothers are both artisans; Frank also makes rifles in the same tradition as those of Hershel, and John is a knifesmith who crafts traditional American knives. Further, Hershel’s mother Coweta is a songwriter of note; her songs have been recorded by Bobby Vinton and Leann Rimes.

Old engines are a hobby of Hershel’s. He has a grist mill, which was mentioned in Foxfire 5, powered by an old “hit-and-miss” engine. If last year is any indication, folks will likely see Hershel at Woodbury’s second Engine Show the weekend of October 18, looking at or demonstrating engines, cooking barbecue for those in attendance, and driving his Model A around. It seems fitting activity for this unassuming gunsmith, master of a high art from a time of plain living.

Don Thomason is a writer and musician living in Dunbar. Visit him at www.myspace.com/donthomasonmusic