TOAD HALL RIFLESHOP
Toad Hall Rifleshop style of wooden rifling bench.
My little rifleshop is located amid the rolling and fertile fields of central Iowa. We fondly call this part of Iowa, "Corn Patch". If you're looking for information regarding my style/methods of barrel forging, boring, reaming, and rifling a muzzleloader barrel all by hand and with no electricity what-so-ever, you've come to the right place.
You can hand rifle your own barrel on a traditional wooden rifling bench here at the shop, or even make your own. But, even though I'm retired from active custom building, you can still hammer out your own rifle furniture in the smithy if you desire. Perhaps some hand forged, double-set triggers to give that hog rifle a very proper look? Maybe a two piece butt plate that's been copper brazed?
Well then, grab a cuppa coffee, set back, an' enjoy the site. I often type in my "Iowegian" dialect....just like I talk!
Please be patient if some of the pages load slowly. Often there are more photos per page than what the program recommends. BUT....the wait will be worth it. If it ain't, drop me a line and tell me, please.
Steve Bookout, Master
Trivia: My name ain't Toad or Mr. Hall. "Toad Hall" is just the name of the home place. It comes from the children's book Wind In The Willows.
"Keeping The Art Of The Longrifle Alive!"
"In a few more decades all the mountain riflesmiths will have passed on to the better world, and they will be only a memory like the pioneer, the buffalo and passenger pigeon, and the world will have lost more of the old-time geniuses." Capt. Ned Roberts
"Be known for the guns you make. Not for making copies of dead men's guns." Bookie
My genuine, honest-to-God, Hacker Martin hand made flint lock. Click your mouse on it to enlarge the image.
Buildin' Since 1974
UPDATED: 28 July, 2010
Issue No. 72
Toad Hall News
Hoooo-baby! We finally got the website up and running, so it's time for an update. This issue displays another fine Southern rifle for your enjoyment, courtesy of one swell guy, Bill Ferguson. This is an original William Beals rifle, so git off'n yer duff and take a peek...just don't drool all over yer keyboard. Ye old Barrel Seminar page has been completely refurbished as my final barrel welding seminar was just completed. I hope you enjoy the photos. It was a wonderful experience and a good time was had by all.
A recent American Rifleman TV program features a segment covering the Kentucky Rifle. In it are the three House brothers, Hershel, Frank, & John, showing off some of their work and the all hand-crafted rifle they made for the CLA. It's a beautiful example of their "Woodbury School" style of long rifle. There are a couple of scenes of brother Frank using one of my Toad Hall riflers to rifle that barrel! I do feel honored.
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Always Wanted: I've been studying the articles about, and the letters & articles written by the late Hacker Martin for several years now. There's quite a bit of material in my file from about 1940 to date, but am always on the lookout for other paper and artifacts that I do not have. Please contact me if you have something that may be of interest to me.
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Toad Hall Rifleshop
1600 W. 14th St. S.
Newton, Iowa 50208
USA
(641) 792-2941
email: toadhall@pcpartner.net
No calls after 9 PM CST, or Sundays & Holidays, please!
Site first published: 14 APR 00
I reserve the moral right to be known as the author of what's on this website unless indicated differently. Some material is COPYRIGHTED. Should you desire to use something from my website, please ask me!
