2025 NMLRA Wheellock Building Class

44th ANNUAL

National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association

at Western Kentucky University

Gunsmithing/Longrifle/Pioneer Crafts Seminar

Important Dates and Information to Remember

Cost is $130 per day (3-day $390; 5 ½ day $715; 9-day $1,170)
Enrollment opens Friday November 1, 2024. Contact Brenda Hooten at the
NMLRA at 812-667-5131 (ext. 223). Please select your first, second and third
choice of class, or no other choice. Minimum deposit of ½ the class cost and
Membership in the NMLRA.
Full payment for all classes required by February 21. 2025.
Cancellation– On or before February 21, 2025, will result in $150 being kept along with your membership fee to NMLRA with the balance due returned to the individual.
Cancellation after February 21, 2025 will result in keeping full payment for all 3- day and 5 ½-day classes, and $800 for 9-day classes with a $370 refund for the 9- day class if and only if there are sufficient funds to cover the loss. NO EXCEPTIONS since the instructional team has been confirmed.
Final Enrollment Notification—will be made to participants by Monday March 24,

Notification will be by email or USPS if preferred – Please advise at
enrollment regarding USPS restriction

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 21, 2025

This class is taught in Woodbury, KY at the Hershel House homestead

Lally House Quillwork: 2, 5 ½ and 9-day classes at WKU

for beginner to advanced. Includes natural dye techniques.

Frank House 9-day class Building an Early NC Flintlock Rifle at WKU

in the style of William Simpson with custom brass or iron mounts. Utilizing a stock with the barrel inlet and the ramrod channel cut and drilled and a commercial lock, Frank instructs how to build a fine flintlock rifle with fabricated parts and a metal patch- box, relief carved and engraved.

Ron Scott has designed a 9-day Seminar at WKU

based on a 1730s Austrian (possibly Viennese) Fowler. The fowler was created with Rife (Jaeger) type mounts and could be made as a long Fowler or a Short Rifle. Ron will have mounts cast in brass for the project and anticipates using Chris Laubach’s CNC lock. With many European stock blanks available, it will possible to stock the project in the appropriate wood. Casts of the receive carving will be provided as well as a series of detailed photos to provide guides for the participant. The original Fowler will be at hand during the seminar for study and measurement. The seminar will be open to those students returning from a previous seminar with unfinished projects. For more details Ron can be contacted at 541-941-0395.

NEW CLASS! “Alden” Wheellock building class with William Baxter
6-day – Building the “Alden” wheellock lock
9-day – Building the “Alden” wheellock musket. Includes building the wheellock lock.

Students will use cast and machined parts to build a copy of the Alden inspired wheellock lock. Participants will be instructed on wheellock construction, terminology, & design. Theory, history and unique styles will be discussed.
The Lock – The lock set consists of cast or machined parts necessary to build the lock. A prototype lock was built based off of other original locks and images of the original “Alden” wheellock in the NRA Museum. Lock sets will be made available for the participant to purchase. The cost of the lock set is still being determined.
Heat treating will be covered as the participants will harden and temper the wheel and springs.

George Suiter, former Colonial Williamsburg Gun shop Master, instructs at WKU on decorative metal techniques.

Offered as a 3-day, 5 ½-day or 9-day course. On day one the students will inlay metal inlays they designed cut out into maple practice blocks. They will also inlay bone, horn and exotic wood inlay into wood using dog leg chisels made in class.
On day two the students will inlay non-ferrous metals like silver, copper, brass or gold into steel or iron. They may want to bring a tomahawk head or gun barrel or steel practice plate that could be inlaid.
On day three the students will inlay brass or silver wire ribbon into a maple
practice block or a tomahawk handle they provide, using two specialized tools they can make in class.
Day four through nine we will design, cut out and fabricate a four-piece hinged patch box. The students will also make ramrod thimbles, muzzle cap, side plate, toe plate and study of a variety of patchbox release mechanisms.
The class or classes will benefit the beginning maker or the experienced builder. I primarily focus my work on using traditional 18th century hand tool technology to produce an authentic firearm. These 18th century techniques can be used by the students in their shop to duplicate an authentic 18th century firearm.

Mike Miller instructs at WKU 18th century style decorative carving

in a 3-day class on design with a 5 ½-day on tools. sharpening, layout and execution. Intended for students to attend both classes for a 9-day seminar. Students can work on their own project rifles or a shaped stock blank Mike will provide.

Wayne Trout instructs at WKU

in a 6-day class on assembling and enhancing Kibler kit rifles. Students are required to purchase their Kibler kit of choice and bring to the seminar. Arrangements can be made for the kits to be shipped to Bowling Green, KY.

Information Here…