44th Annual
National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association
Western Kentucky University
Gunsmithing/Longrifle/pioneer crafts Seminar

At Western Kentucky University - Bowling Green, Kentucky

9 day classes begin on Wednesday, June 4th 12:00 pm CST
through Friday, June 13th at 1:00 pm CST.

5 1/2 day classes begin on Sunday, June 8th at 8:00 am CST
through June 13th at 1:00 pm CST.

3 day classes begin on Wednesday, June 4th at 12:00 pm CST
through Saturday, June 7th at 1:00 pm CST.

Registration Deadline Is February 21, 2025

Ian Pratt and John House 9-Day class: Building the Woodbury Flintlock Rifle. This is a legacy class to instruct novice to experienced gunbuilders on fine flintlock rifle making predominately iron mounted Southern style rifles that have an emphasis on shooting and reliable performance. Iron mounts are forged in a traditional manner with a coal fired forge. It is possible to even build a Foxfire Five rifle during this class start to finish. This class is taught in Woodbury, KY at the Hershel House homestead. Classes start at noon Wednesday June 4, 2025 and run through noon on Friday the 13th.

Lally House Quillwork: 3, 5 ½ and 9-day classes at WKU for beginner to advanced. Includes natural dye techniques. 3 and 9 day classes begin Wednesday June 4, 2025 at noon. 5 1/2-day classes start Sunday June 8 at 8 am. All skill levels from novice to experienced quillworkers are welcomed.

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. Frank personally casts the brass furniture or will forge the trigger guard and butt plate per the students request. Class begins at noon on Wednesday June 4, 2025 and runs through noon on Friday the 13th.

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 original 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. Class begins at noon on Wednesday June 4, 2025.

NEW CLASS! "Alden" Wheellock building class with William Baxter: 5 1/2-day - Building the "Alden" wheellock lock begins Wednesday June 4, 2025 at noon. This class runs in conjunction with and lead in to the 9-day building the wheellock musket.

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.

For more details contact William Baxter 970-306-7988.

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.

Day one the students will inlay metal inlays they designed, cut out and inlay into maple practice blocks. They will also inlay bone, horn and exotic wood inlay into wood using dog leg chisels made in class.

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.

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 3-day and 9-day classes begin at noon on Wednesday June 4, 2025. The 5 1/2-day class begins Sunday June 8, 2025 at 8 am.

The class or classes will benefit the beginning maker or the experienced builder. George states "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 18th century firearm workmanship."

Mike Miller instructs at WKU 18th century style engraving in a 3-day class on design elements as seen on the American Longrifle, and gun locks to include lettering. Mike will assist students in creating their own period-proper style. A 5 ½-day class covers making gravers, engraving tools. sharpening, layout and execution. Intended for students to attend both classes for a cumulative 9-day seminar. Students will work primarily on sheet brass and sheet mild steel that Mike can provide for a nominal shop fee, or bring your own materials. For more information contact Mike at 270-210-6014 or email riflemaker@aol.com. The 3-day and 9-day classes begin at noon on Wednesday June 4, 2025. The 5 1/2-day class begins Sunday June 8, 2025 at 8 am.

Wayne Trout instructs at WKU in a 5 1/2-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, Kentucky. Wayne's class will begin Sunday June 8, 2025 at 8 am and run through noon Friday the 13th. Most students will complete a standard kit during this class unless they decide to upgrade their kit. Wayne will instruct in how to personalize and make an heirloom flintlock kit rifle you can be proud of.

We are sad to report that after many years as a Seminar Instructor our friend
Jack Brooks will not be teaching this year.

 Important Dates and Information to Remember

Cost of all classes is $130 per day. (3-day $390, 5 1/2-day $715, 9-day $1,170.)

Registration – Enrollment opens Friday November 1, 2024. Contact Brenda Hooton at the NMLRA at 812-432-2670 (ext. 1006). 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 a $150 being kept along with your membership fee to the NMLRA with the balance 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, 2025. Notification will be by email or USPS if preferred – Please advise at enrollment regarding USPS restriction.

Superior Instruction

2025 will be the 44th year of the NMLRA Gunsmithing Seminar, which is hosted at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green Kentucky.  Beginning with the first gunsmithing seminar in 1981, the quality of the instructional team has been superior in every aspect of the gun building trade.

Previous Seminar Instructors

The instructional team members are seasoned artisans who are recognized for their skill level as well as their ability to deliver quality instruction and best practices of the gun-making trade. Seminar participants have offered the following comments regarding the quality of the seminar: "more can be learned in nine days than in a year of trial and error; one learns to perfect skills before learning bad habits; instructors allow for the divergent skill levels of participants (beginning to advanced) in each class; troubleshooting skills are developed and enhanced; participants learn that fixing mistakes is as important as avoiding them!”

Most participants have attended the seminar for more than 3 years and several have attended more than 20 years. What has resulted among the participants at WKU is a family atmosphere where lifelong friendships have developed where they continue to collaborate on ongoing gun making projects outside the seminar.

You should consider attending the seminar because the teaching faculty to student ratio at WKU is low, the University is centrally located for ease of travel, and participants have the opportunity to visit each of the other classes taking place in order to enhance their overall learning experience. It goes without saying, you will not be disappointed with what you have learned in a short period of time at the NMLRA Gunsmithing Seminar at WKU.  Classes are offered in 3, 6, & 9 day increments.