Two BEAUTIFUL Flintlocks from Richard Miller | NMLRA Gunmakers Hall

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This month we officially kick off the 2021 Gunmaker’s Hall Giveaway. Every year Gunmaker’s Hall sells tickets for a drawing to raise money for Gunmaker’s Hall and the NMLRA. The drawing includes the Incentive Gun, this is a handmade flintlock long arm typically crafted by a new up-and-coming gunmaker. Building this gun gives an opportunity for a new gunmaker, of any age, to display their work. The Main Prize for the drawing is a flintlock long arm created by an established master gunmaker. For many of us, winning one of these guns may be the only chance we ever get to own a gun made by one of today’s premier gunmakers. Other prizes include hand-crafted shooting bags, horn work, shooting boxes, homemade quilts, Americana, and much more, all hand-made by premier long rifle culture artisans and NMLRA members. This year Dick Miller made both the Incentive Gun and the main prize rifle. Dick is an NMLRA Hall of Fame member and former Chairman of Gunmaker’s Hall. Due to things being in somewhat of disarray last year, Dick offered to help by building both of the guns. Dick’s work is some of the finest being done today and we are fortunate to have these two guns as giveaway prizes. Dick just recently finished his 200th muzzleloader build. He told me he hasn't retired from building guns yet, but these two muzzleloaders may be some of his last work.

Here’s what Dick had to say about the rifles.

“The Main Prize Rifle: The barrel is a 38-inch, .40 caliber Rice lightweight swamped barrel that was rifled by Bill Hoover at Friendship with a gain twist. The lock is the Jim Chambers "Late Ketland" style flint that has been artistically modified and polished completely inside and out. The stock is fancy hard maple. The rifle is equipped with double set triggers, donated by Tim Tressel of the R.E. Davis Company. The butt plate and trigger guard were donated by Pecatonica River Long Rifle Supply. The style of the rifle is a contemporary version of a Lancaster style with extensive carving in all the usual places. There is a neat wood patchbox. There is extensive and tasteful engraving done by Dennis Priddy. This rifle is designed to fit women or young shooters but is also very comfortable in the hands of most men. The weight is about 6 pounds.

The "Incentive Rifle" is an iron-mounted Southern rifle with contemporary styling. All the fittings were made from wrought iron. The side plate is fashioned from Damascus steel to give it a bit of flair. The stock is fancy hard maple. There are moldings carved along the lower butt, the ramrod groove, and around the lock and side plate areas. The .45 barrel was hand-made by John Kleihege fro ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuZQ1lk8RAE