Build a Kibler Colonial Rifle Kit with Gary Ludwig March 20 - 25, 2023
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About the instructor - Gary’s love of muzzleloaders all started as a young boy roaming the wooded hills of Eastern Ohio. Black powder enthusiasts of his generation often say that watching TV shows about Davy Crockett or Daniel Boone led to their interest in muzzleloaders, but for Gary it was reading Allen Eckert’s novel, “The Frontiersman” in 1972 that sparked his interest in frontier history and led to his eventual obsession with blackpowder firearms and accoutrements. In high school, Gary caught the gunbuilding bug from his High School Social Studies and Industrial Arts teachers who were both building their own Kentucky Longrifles . His first build was a T/C Renegade kit that he put together in his spare time during his Junior year of college. He modified and refinished that Renegade twice since then and still hunts deer with it to this day.
In 2013, Gary was invited to attend the Gun Makers Seminar at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp in Jackson, Ohio where he learned the finer points of building Southern rifles under the watchful eyes of Hershel and John House. Since that time Gary has attended the Gunmakers Workshop at Canter’s Cave every year since and has gained valuable experience under the tutelage of Jim Kibler, Ken Gahagan, and Ian Pratt. He also attends the gunbuilding class put on by Brad and Shane Emig each spring at the Cabin Creek Shop in Hallam, PA. He has also attended many of the other classes offered by the Southern Ohio Artisans Workshops at Canter’s Cave , studying under Rich McDonald, Tom Curran, Billy Griner, and Johnny Faulkner. Gary also plies his hand at blacksmithing and has attended classes with Frank and John House and Joe Seabolt.
When he is not building guns or accoutrements, Gary spends time promoting the Southern Ohio Artisan Workshops at our display table at the Annual Contemporary Longrifle Association show in Lexington, KY. He also designs and sells SOAW merchandise using the profits to buy tools that are shared between various classes, to help fund student scholarships, or support other efforts related to the SOAW mission. Gary also organizes the Annual Gun Builders Shooting Match, which is held between the 1st and 2nd weeks of the Gunmakers Workshop.
Gary retired from the Ohio Division of Wildlife after serving 32 years as a Wildlife Biologist and Wildlife Management Supervisor. He is currently employed by USDA Wildlife Services in the field as a Wildlife Technician. Gary is a NRA Certified Training Counselor and Firearms Instructor for Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun, as well as Chief Range Safety Officer.