Ethan Yazel
32 Cal
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2019
- Messages
- 45
- Reaction score
- 54
Today we're taking a look at the NMLRA Gunmakers Hall Incentive Rifles from Mike Miller and Malchiah Pifer. We can't thank these two craftsmen enough for their contribution and hard work.
This year’s gun is a .45 caliber rifle that is patterned after an original Enoch Smith rifle from the late 1700's to 1800's. Mr. Smith worked in the Lexington, Kentucky area. A nice piece of curly maple stock was donated by Richard Miller. The “B” weight Rice barrel is 44 inches long. The lock is a late Ketland flintlock that came from Jim Chambers Flintlock. The triggers came from R. E. Davis. The brass and silver inlays were made in his shop. So, do not forget to get your ticket for the drawing to be held the last Saturday of the fall shoot in September.
This year’s Gun Makers Hall incentive rifle was built by a 16 year old young apprentice of Mike Miller, Malchiah Pifer. This is one of several muzzleloading rifles that he has built. Malchiah was 13 years old when his father and he were introduced to Mike Miller. The purpose of the visit was to shoot a flintlock rifle. They shot one of Mike's rifle. Malchiah really enjoyed shooting the smoke pole. He asked Mike if he would help him build his father a flintlock rifle. Mike said that he would be glad to and the rest is history. Malchiah enjoyed it so much that in time he became Mike's apprentice working in Mike's shop. This year’s incentive gun was built by the young Malchiah Pifer who was 16 years old at the time. The “poor boy” styled rifle that Malchiah built is similar to Mike's Gun Makers Hall give away gun. This young apprentice's gun is styled from an original Enoch Smith rifles of around the early 1800's guns. Just like the major gun giveaway, this too is styled after the same early gun builder.
