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| Friends, bear with me as I continue the struggle to keep my website alive through the transition from Office Live to Office 365. My photos will return, the site will grow and be better than ever! Right now, it's a living hell I am enduring as I wander the maze that is Microsoft. Fortunately, there are some patient and understanding tech people who have helped me with the war. Thank you for your patience and understanding too, friends! Grey Haven Arms Maker of fine muzzle loading arms, knives, and accoutrements.Assistive technology for shooters. Custom half-models of boats. Marine surveying. Photography.
Our mission: To
provide a superior product, based on aesthetics, functionality, and
originality combined with tradition, using quality materials, crafted
with utmost concern for the safety and satisfaction of our customer.
 
Muzzleloading tip: Pipe cleaners are great for keeping the spark channel on a
percussion gun clean and dry. I use the long craft-type (buy 'em at
craft stores,) and cut them into 2-3" lengths. Bend a little crook on
the end, and they will go around corners. I never have to cap before
shooting if I run one through the channel before loading, and I don't
suffer any misfires. They also do a nice job of wiping a flintlock vent.
New Stuff:
Target Model Underhammer pistol, with adjustable sight and trigger.
First one for George G. in Germany. George has agreed to be my
representative in Europe. If you live in Europe, contact George on his
very fine web site, www.artax-vorderlader, and he can help you. Below, the Target Model. George sent me his first target, and it was a vertical line of overlapping holes, made as he adjusted his sight to elevation. I wish I still had it (went away in an electronic mishap, so to speak,) because it was pretty spectacular shooting!
 
Below: close-up of adjustable trigger and sight
 Now Building:
Matched pair of underhammer pistols, with display case and
accoutrements for Dan G. of Pennsylvania, in .36 cal. with 10" barrels.
Very special! Kentucky Flint Pistol, with 10" octagon to round .50 cal. barrel, for JP. This will be the next how-to page.
Schuetzen No. 2, using an Isaac Haines style .36 cal. barrel and an
Allan Foundry underhammer lock. "Salvadore Dali gets a day job as a
gunmaker..." Pics soon. Silk purse from a sow's ear; Tommy gave me his rifle to make pretty, and we will see what arises. It's done! Here's the patchbox...
Check it out below: Photos from Friendship; a visit to the Fall NMLRA Nationals. Right side of the page.
A visit to the Cockade Rifles and the North-South Skirmish Association.
A look at the competitions and the fun had by all! Left side of page. With
the Civil War 150th Anniversary, a lot of reenactments are happening. I
will be attending as many as I can, and reporting back to y'all. The Shuetzen Rifle, Underhammer Style This one took some time, & is proving to be a real tack driver. See more of her on "Guns" page. 
 German Gov't Proof Tests Underhammer! Last
spring, I finished a .45 cal. 10" underhammer pistol for Bernd R., over
in Germany. The German Government requires proof testing, which the
pistol passed just fine, with a charge equivalent to 90 gr. of powder
under two balls. Below is a photo of the proof marks stamped on the
barrel. See the pistol on the "Guns" page.
 
A Peace Pipe for a Sweet Lady
A new chanunpa for Shannon's birthday on the "Accoutrements" page. Damascus Knives
Fine folded steel blades, fitted with antler or hardwood handles and
brass hilts. See below in the "For Sale" section & on the "Knives"
page. 1866 Spanish Pistol, Mainspring Repair See "Guns" page. Building a Fowler: A Photo Story
A photo essay, which follows the process from beginning to end. Just
click on the "Building a Fowler" tab on the navigation bar. Now Showing! Slide shows from the 145th Anniversary Gettysburg Civil War reenactment, and an Old West Cowboy Shootout. Scroll down on the "Rendezvous!" page. Also on the "Rendezvous!" page: Slide Show from the 2007 Eastern Primitive Rendezvous! On This Page, The 1838 Rendezvous Slide Show Held on the original site in Wyoming! "Only the Earth and Sky" A
short story by Bob Worthington, about the past and future, the Pipe,
and a prayer. Find it on the "Knives and Accoutrements" page, right
side at the bottom. A visit to the Cockade Rifles and the North-South Skirmish Association at Ft. Shenandoah, Winchester, VA. Yes, we wear the uniforms and carry the firearms, but we are not
reenactors! We compete in live fire competitions (no, we don't shoot at
each other, but side-by-side) using the arms of the Civil War. Smoothbore
muskets, rifled muskets, breech- and muzzle loading carbines, Henry
rifles, revolvers, mortars, and cannons all have their own events. Clay
pigeons, hanging 4" (50 yards) and 6"tiles (100 yards), little bitty
tiles and cut-the-stake are just some of the challenging targets we
shoot in team competition. There are bb gun events for the young'uns,
individual matches to test your skill, dances, music, and a museum to
explore. Like Friendship, twice a year, we hold National matches,
attended by thousands of shooters from all over the country, and
throughout the year, many matches are hosted by various teams. One of
the best is our annual Cockade event. I
am a member of the Cockade Rifles, modeled after the original home
militia from Petersburg, VA. We have a lot of fun, as can be indicated
by our nickname (see photo caption below.) Seriously, we don't take
ourselves too seriously, but we've got some really fine shooters, and
take home our share of medals. It's lively and full of action, and we're
all friends, North and South. 
The Cockade Rifles, "A drinking team with a shooting problem...!" That's me on the left. As you can see, we wear typical Rebel uniforms-the Yankees like to dress a little more formally, just like way back when...
Bringin' home the gold! Last Nationals, all three of our revolver teams medaled, Here's one of them. Congrats, Craig, Jack, Eric, and Paul!  
The Cockades know how to stay cool on a hot day, hydrating both exterior and interior!
Renowned stake pounder Katie S. and her team show how it's done, with their brass cohorn mortar! The brass ones ring like a bell when they're fired.   Cannon fire! Artillery contests are fun!
Cockade revolver team on the skirmish line. You can see the pigeon boards and hanging tiles down range. Most events are 2-3 minute timed events-break as many as you can, and hopefully all of 'em!  
Paul & Charlie clowning around, with their "sunbonnet for Siamese twins." Don't ask, you really don't want to know!
| |  Bob
Worthington, owner and operator of Grey Haven Arms, has over 35 years
experience as a professional boatbuilder, gunsmith, and teacher. He has
held a U.S.C.G. licensed Master's Certificate, with sailing
endorsement, and has worked as a charter skipper, sea school captain,
marine surveyor, and draftsman for an internationally acclaimed yacht
designer. Since retiring from his work in special education, he
has given his attention full-time to creating fine
"historical art." He is a member of the National Muzzle Loading Rifle
Association, the Contemporary Longrifle Association, Bull Run
Muzzleloaders, the Washington State Muzzleloader's Association, the
National Rifle Association, the 1838 Rendezvous Association, and the North-South Skirmish Association. Underhammer Addicts, Take Note! There is a society for those of us who can't get enough of these critters. The Underhammer Society, at www.underhammers.blogspot.com/ is
the creation of Roger Renner, and is a wonderful compendium of the many
variations of the theme. A truly fine artist and innovative craftsman
himself, Roger showcases some really excellent work from many builders.
He's even got me in there. Check it out!
JP's Spiral Horn-"Dreadnaught."
A nautical style, with turk's heads & brass & captain's buttons, and that wonderful spiral! See more horns on "Accoutrements" page. 
A Variety of pistols! This
summer, "Team Grey Haven" turned in a fine performance at the Whidbey
Island Rendezvous. In pistol, we took 1st and 2nd, and a few other
places. These are the guns.... 
And this is Team Grey Haven.....  
From left, Bob, JP, Ethan, Alyx, Jeff, Mike, and Sue
I
should mention that we also took 2nd & 3rd in Rifle, and 1-2-3 in
Archery! In 'Hawk & Knife, JP earned us a 1st, and Alyx, her first
time out, took 3rd in Women's "Hawk & Knife! 
A Pistol for my Sister, Robin; Happy Birthday, Sis! A very special underhammer pistol for a very special person! (Above) See more of it on the "Guns" page. 
Special Boxed Underhammer pistol, 
Deluxe
boxed pistol, 10" .32 cal. made for Dean T. of Ontario. The box is Koa
and Maple, just like the pistol grip. Box, accoutrements, and pistol are
$2000. Says Dean of his new pistol, "I
finally got the little pistol out to the range....I shot at 25 yards,
and all the targets were in the mid to high ninetys. I was very pleased
with its performance!' "It also passed
through the hands of many enthusiasts, old timers and gun builders, who
all were highly praising your workmanship. All were very impressed, and a
might jealous, methinks!" Thank you for your kind endorsement, Dean! 
Friendship, Indeed! A visit to the 2010 Fall NMLRA National Matches at Friendship, Indiana. 
Bob's comfortable camp at Friendship
I spent 12 gorgeous days camped in the primitive area at the NMLRA
range last fall. Perfect weather, all kinds of fun ways to shoot all
kinds of muzzle loaders, 'hawk & knife, archery, music, traders, and
great people sharing it all made for a fine time! 
This young feller has the right stuff! Look at that follow-through!  
I had the honor of displaying some of my stuff in Gunmaker's Hall Music came from several sources, around camp and around town, day and night. I added a little myself, whenever there was a pause in playing elsewhere. From bagpipes to rock 'n roll, we had it all. 
Tom
B. shot his new schuetzen rifle, and I was there to cheer him on. He
also shot chunk gun, a match I'd never seen before. Lots of matches I'd
never seen before....
Tom shootin' schuetzen (below) 
I
only shot the woodswalk, as I was not up to snuff, healthwise, but did
all right for myself. I didn't know you could use both hands in the
pistol walk, but next time I will! Eric Bye, editor of "Muzzle Blasts"
magazine, also shoots an underhammer pistol, and took first place.
Congratulations, Eric!
Tony S., from my home club, Bull Run Muzzle Loaders, took more than one gold medal shootin' benchrest. Way to go, Tony! (Below) 
A busy day on the firing line. All loading is done at the bench, and primed or capped at the firing line.
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| Items for Sale: This
column will grow as time goes by and all items are catalogued. Note:
Underhammer pistol prices have gone up, due to my increased costs. The
standard model, or "Rendezvous Model" is now $1000. The "Target Model"
with adjustable sight and trigger is $1150. 1.
Lehigh style rifle, fancy, .50 cal. 44" Colerain swamped "B" weight
barrel, Davis double set triggers, curly maple stock, L&R Durs Egg
flintlock and percussion lock, right hand. Includes Koa and oak display
box. See pics this page top, and on "Guns" page. $7500.No longer for sale! But I'll build you one. (Below,right and left, and top of page, right)  
2.
Lehigh style fowler, fancy, 20 guage 42" octagon to round barrel, curly
maple stock, Davis flintlock, right hand. See "Building a Fowler"
page. $6500.  3.
Underhammer pistol, percussion, your choice of barrel length and caliber, fixed or adjustable rear sight and trigger, maple and koa
grip, with inlays.
 
4. Damascus bladed knives. 10" blade with Curly Maple handle, brass hilt and pommel, with buffalo hide sheath, $380.
8" blade with antler handle, brass hilt, and buffalo hide sheath, $350. See more photos on "Knives" page. 8" Knife Sold!, but another is available!
 
 
5.
1838 Rendezvous!Check out my article on this trip in the January 2012 issue of Muzzle Blasts. Bob
traveled to Montana the summer of 2007 to meet with his old friends, JP
Morgan and Mike Iacono, at the original site of at least two rendezvous
in the 1830's, located on the Wind River, in Riverton, Wyoming. They
had a grand time, meetin' new folks and findin' old and new friends,
shootin', tossin', makin' music and tellin' tall tales. Mike received
his new half-stock rifle featured on our "Guns" page, and shot dead on
right from the first shot. All three turned in a good performance in
some pretty tough competition, and had a literal blast while at it. We
met Jake Korell, a local legend, sharp as a tack and still trappin' at
93 years of age. Jake cooked up a cougar for the camp's dinner one
night, and that was absolutely delicious! He had help from our old
Washington friend, Outhouse Charley, who surprised us by bein' there
with his lady, Willow. The Arapaho and Shoshone tribes share a
reservation there, and put on a powwow for the camp on Friday eve. A
fine time was had by all, as we walked in the moccasin tracks of Jim
Bridger, Joe Walker, Ben Bonneville, Joe Meek, Kit Carson, and so many
others! Their spirits still inhabit that special place. A
dedicated group of folks, the 1838 Rendezvous Association, joined hands
to save this last remaining historic rendezvous site from becoming a
gravel pit, and have done a wonderful job of preserving it for all our
posterity. Make a point to check out their website, www.1838rendezvous.com,
and help them help us all! Many thanks to Dave "Three Dog" Moss,
booshway Tony "Big Hawk" Larvie, "He Who", Jake Korell, and so many
other fine folks whose names my poor brain can't remember. See ya down
the good red road! How to reach us: Grey Haven (703)329-8535 5962 Berkshire Court Alexandria, VA 22303 Coffee ! Yes, I do love a good cup, and this is primo, da kine! I brew mine strong, and this makes a hearty brew with no bitterness. $30. a pound, and worth it! Call or write my good friend, Brant Page. Page Hill 100 % Pure Kona Estate Coffee This coffee is hand picked, mountain grown at the 2000' level, with unbleached natural processing for the world's best nutty flavor. PO Box 793 Captain Cook, HI 96704 (808)328-9768 Links:
www.artax-vorderlader George has a very nice web site with a very nice selection of underhammer arms
for the European market, including mine! He is my representative there, so if you are there, George will
take good care of you.
www.underhammers.blogspot.com The Underhammer Society. Roger Renner's wonderful showcase of many fine underhammer guns. Ted designs beautiful, practical boats, of all types, sizes, price ranges, and materials. I have built and sailed on his creations, and he's as good as they get. If you're thinking of building a boat, check him out. historically accurate scale miniature buildings for layouts? Ted's plans for these are as real and buildable as his boats. The official site. If you aren't a member already, join! If you build guns, make accoutrements, or anything associated with the muzzle loader era, this site is a must! Great organization. Now under new ownership, and still a great company to do business with. They carry some parts others don't, and their response and delivery time is quick. Dunlap sells wood. From gunstock blanks to musical instrument material, and anything else you might desire, they have it. These folks have a passion for their product and a reverence for their resource. Located in Cornet Bay on the north end of Whidbey Island, WA, Marine Services is the one to call when you need help on the waters of Puget Sound. Their name says it all; anything you need, they can do. Dedicated to preserving the original site of the 1830 and 1838 rendezvous, this is an organization well worth supporting. See the slide show above. www.OVPR.ORGThe Olde Virginia Primitive Riflemen. These good folks put on a fine rendezvous twice a year, in a beautiful site near the James River. Always fun! during the Viet Nam War. It follows the lives of two surfers, one who volunteered, and one who believed it was wrong. As an old surfer, and contributor to this story, I heartily recommend this timely film, for all it has to offer. These dedicated folks have donated proceeds to veteran's organizations, and worked to heal the wounds. www.n-ssa.org North-South Skirmish Association. "The most fun you can have with your pants on!" Quote from a teammate whose name I will not mention... If you like shooting at things that break with a bunch of different guns, are into Civil War history, and just like to have fun, this is the organization for you! | |
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