KEMPTON - All Pennsylvanians are proud of their heritage.
We point with pride to state symbols like the Eastern hemlock tree, mountain laurel, ruffed grouse and whitetail deer. Now, these and others are now joined by another icon: the Pennsylvania longrifle.
For the last 32 years the Pennsylvania longrifle has been the cornerstone for the events held at the Dixon Muzzleloader Shop's Gunmakers Fair held at the family operated shop outside of Kempton the last weekend in July. This year, the Pennsylvania rifle will have even greater status at when the fair Friday-Sunday, July 25-27, daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Evolving right here in the "Great Valley," the name given to the area between the Delaware and Susquehanna Rivers, from the hands of early European immigrants, this frontier tool became the embodiment of superior function and folk art. Acknowledging the importance of the flintlock longrifle that originated in Pennsylvania, however, was a long time coming.
For the last half century, historians, collectors, gun builders, muzzleloader reenactors, shooting competitors and hunters have been calling for the Pennsylvania longrifle to receive its due. Finally, last month, the state House of Representatives let HB1989 out of committee and brought it up for a vote that passed with a resounding majority of 173-24.
This initial victory for the longrifle resulted in a groundswell of support for the senate to follow suit, and the bill passed by a resounding unanimous vote of 48-0. All that was left for Act 73 to become law was the signature of Gov. Tom Corbett, and that came Thursday, June 26.
The law made the Pennsylvania longrifle the official firearm of the commonwealth. Now time to celebrate the Pennsylvania rifle taking its rightful place, and nowhere else in modern times is the recreated craft of our state's newest symbol better showcased for the public than at the Gunmakers Fair. It is there that rifle builders and accoutrements creators from across the United States, Canada and sometimes a few European countries gather for the annual event.
More than just a gun show, the Gunmakers Fair is a juried event where only the best of the best builders, artisans and crafters walk away with blue ribbons and national recognition.
Longrifles, trade guns, pistols, leather hunting bags, powder horns and more are carefully critiqued by master craftsmen who are well respected in their field.
Competition is intense, as it should be, because it creates an art form in its best evolution. Apprentices, those just learning the craft, are encouraged, too, by competing in their own class with their mistakes and accomplishments noted in hand-written critiques.
Variations in architecture, inletting, carving, engraving and finish are carefully discussed. Many apprentices from the past 32 years have grown into the masters who are celebrated today.
Those who are new to the show are encouraged to ask questions concerning the nuances of woodworking, metal forging and finishing, inlaying of brass, German silver, sterling silver and gold and recipes for finishing. This is also so for leather and horn crafters, which are an important part of the industry because without them the gun will not function.
A highly skilled guild, the Honorable Company of Horners, has elevated the craft to an art form that is displayed as functional art. Elegant in architecture, resplendent in scrimshaw, round, flat, screw-tipped and inlaid horns are classic reproductions of past masterpieces.
While the leather work speaks of elegant form and function, it is appreciated even more when watching crafters do the shaping, molding, stitching, staining and finishing leatherwork that results in a completed product. In some cases, visitors replace heirloom and ancestral bags with museum-quality reproductions.
During the three-day Gunmakers Fair there are free informational seminars held in the tent, pavilion and barn. Subjects vary from longrifle gun building, pistols, engraving, carving, flintlock tuning, selecting gunstock wood, stock finishes, history of Lehigh County Rifles, design, building gun kits, lock assembly, wire inlay, Henry gunsmiths, hunting bags, hand forging tomahawks, looms, beading, pewter banding powder horns, comfort knotting, tatting, and hunting with a flintlock rifle.
Among the nationally recognized artisans are Frank Willis, "Beaver Bill" Keeler, John Proud, Alan Martin, Jason Schneider, Chris Atland, David Price, Mike Timberlake, Keith Casteel, Art Decamp, Roland Cadle, Rich Hujsa, Joe Flemish, Tori Milburn, Barbie Chambers and Bill Slusser. In addition to demonstrating their specialities, they will present formal and informal seminars for both adults and children.
For those seeking information on becoming involved in muzzleloader hunting or shooting as an individual or joining a club, representatives from the Pennsylvania Federation of Black Powder Shooters and the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association will be in attendance. They are always happy to introduce newcomers to the sport and, of course, talk about the state's newest symbol - the Pennsylvania longrifle.
For information about the Dixon Gunmakers Fair, located at 9952 Kunkels Mill Road, Kempton, call the shop at (610) 756-6271 or access the website at www.dixonmuzzleloading.com.