Glad You Could Stop By!!
When you drop by the shop here in Corn Patch, one thing will become pretty apparent. There ain't much glamour, nor is there anything for show. You'll see for yourself, a busy, messy, and no frills gun smithy. Notice I said gun smith and not gun stocker. Here at Toad Hall, I operate under the premise that a person who assembles a gun from store bought components is a "gun-stocker". In contra-distinction: the person who makes lock, stock and barrel and all the little stuff in between is a "gun-smith". My master and mentor who got me started so many years ago was none other than the late Robin C. Hale, the well known Southern rifle expert. The late Kit Ravenshear was the master who personally took time out to teach me how to make a decent spring, and not by his 2 little books on the subject, either!
The rifles I help craft at Toad Hall are based upon my family's old patterns. You can make one that is just as good lookin' and accurate, too! I only build our style of the Eastern Tennessee Mountain "hog rifle" and what I call half-stocked Iowa/Missouri rifles. Them other schools and types just don't exist around here! You can build whatever takes your fancy, though.
Need a miniature version of your rifle for the young'un? You can build those, too. Just because they are diminutive, don't be misled into thinking they are toys or weren't meant to be shot. 'Cuz boys, I'm here to tell you, with 10-20 grains of black powder, a ground hog at 50 yards will git thumped pretty hard!
I prefer helping to build plain guns that I know will be used. Working guns that aren't too fancy and ain't just gonna be hung on the wall. If you want a perfect gun, go to a store an' git you a machine made look-a-like that every flat-lander and pork eater owns. An' another thing boys......'round here, "kit-gun" is a four letter word!! That stuff in them foam boxes "ain't fit fer man ner beast!" Jim Chambers puts together what I think is the finest assemblage of parts and Track of the Wolf has quite a wonderful selection of non-kits that's hard to beat. If this is right up yer alley, drop 'em a line. The rifles built here at Toad Hall are going to be heirlooms. You're gonna want to pass it down and keep it in the family. They'll be truly one of a kind!
A REAL genuine, one of a kind Bookout "squirrel rifle"! Sorry boys, she ain't fer sale.
SAFETY! A very important word out here in Corn Patch, Iowa! If I wouldn't let my youngest Grandson pull the trigger, it don't leave the shop! Period. I proof each and every barrel with my genuine Iowa Barrel Tester, featured in the January, 1996 issue of Muzzle Blasts magazine, with double my recommended powder charge and two patched balls of proper calibre. Take it or leave it, fellers.
Boys, this photo shows why you don't use dowels from the lumber yard or hardware store for ramrods. See them rather sharp points? If a rod was to break under pressure of ramming a ball home, do you suppose that same pressure is enough to put one of these nasties THROUGH your grubby paw? Go ask someone who has been there, done that.
Go 'round the back, to my Yeller Tom Cat Forge. You'll find it small but still a more than adequate blacksmith shop. This is where I forge many components for my longrifles. We've also been known to hammer out a campfire set, perhaps a ladle or spatula and such for local buckskinners. I prefer not to forge rifle furniture and sell it by the piece because it might not be quite the size or shape you want when you go to install it on your gun.
The red hot bore of a freshly welded barrel made from a wrought iron skelp.
Further into this site, you'll find a page that lists where I buy my parts when I don't make 'em. It's simple. Once we agree on a gun, you tell me how you want it dressed. I'll tell you if I will help you or not. Remember,.....I consider myself a traditionalist, so don't expect me to put a Model "A" fender on a '55 Chevy. It's gonna be correct or you'll have to git someone else to help you do it.
And yes, the stories are true....I have accepted old Iowa banknotes, Danish og Norwegian kroner, dollars from Australia & Taiwan, Euros, Rands, MPC, silver Thalers from Austria, and even genuine Confederate currency in payment for my books. If you're ever near "Corn Patch", give me a call and drop by. We'll have a chew, swap some lies an' become friends.....oh yeah, I almost fergot. Bring MOON PIES!!
Toad Hall Rifleshop - 1600 West 14th Street South - Newton, Iowa 50208
Drop Me A Line!
Please be patient if you are expecting a reply from me. Work in the shop requires several hours of my time and I do receive several emails from all over the world on a daily basis. Fear not, I will respond as work load will allow.