WELCOME to EITNIER RIFLES
IRON MOUNTED SOUTHERN GUNS
At this point I should introduce myself but I am not one to toot my own horn. So I have asked my good friend Mark Thomas craftsman to the past for some help on this. THANKS MARK!
Jerry Eitnier, Maker of Iron Mounted Southern Rifles
I would like to introduce my friend Jerry Eitnier to the world. Jerry has given me an opportunity to understand a little better the passion that one can bring to his craft. My meeting of Jerry at our Annual CLA show in Lexington, Kentucky is always a joy. He is a man that that has humbled me in a number of ways. He was going through some personal health issues but was at the show with the biggest grin I’d ever seen on the face of a fellow craftsman. The shear fact that he was there was the main reason for his broad smile. He has always apologized for not being a better craftsman. The quality of ones work isn’t the test of the person, it’s the passion that person brings to their craft.
Jerry is a charter member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association and a member of the NMLRA since 1973. He was inspired to build longrifles around 1987.
An observant person can see, his work is influenced by the Woodbury School fostered by Hershel House. Jerry’s focus is to build a safe shooting gun, and as he says, “the more you use them, the better they look.” He likes to forge the iron for the hardware on his iron mounted rifles but he is also capable of making other items in his blacksmith shop. Most of his blacksmith work is for his own projects but once in a while he will offer some things for sale or take in an occasional order. He may have a knife or two, an axe or maybe just trigger guards and butt plates.
The next time you pass by his table, take a look, give a smile and meet the man with his dry sense of humor and willingness to laugh. I look forward to the times I get to see Jerry if only for a moment; it is a moment well spent.
Mark Thomas 7/29/10