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Welcome to "Hoot AL's" Rifleshop!!

Alan Neubauer - Journeyman 

Traditionalist Gunbuilder

Greetings from orchards of Southwest Michigan, otherwise known locally as St. Joseph, Michigan.   I build antique blackpowder rifles and pistols in an effort to keep the Spirit of the Traditionalist Gunmaker alive.

 The goal for this website is to serve as a  guide for future gunbuilders who want to learn the craft. I only hope I can accomplish this goal.

The vintage of the guns are from 1730 to 1830, and are representative of several different schools of earlier gunsmiths. My favorite rifles to make are the Lancaster Pennsylvania schooled and an occasional Mountain rifle. 

From time to time I like to take on a challenge of something different in an effort to better understand other rifles and schools of makers. An example of this are the Edward Marshall Hunting Rifles I recently built. You'll find information of these rifles in the Project Photo Albums  to see them and all the steps taken to build it. The Hunting Rifle has the most detailed steps taken. The Transitional Lancaster (fancy rifle) and the Tennessee rifle projects were other rifles showing  from beginning to end, too.

Take a look around the Rifleshop to give you an idea what tools I have available. Most of the work is done by hand with no electricity.

All guns crafted in the shop are in a traditionalist vein. project as they  transitioned from a block of wood to the finished state.  I've included a Project Photo Albums of several of the guns. You'll see a variety of guns including a Southern Tennessee rifle and a free-styled target pistol I designed. One of the albums has a couple of movies.  Again, note some these albums are like "How To Guides" to help other gunbuilders. At least, that was my intent to help others who are trying to learn the craft. 

I'll try to add some items to the Tips & Aids section to share some simple tools, thoughts and etc.

I been graced with the opportunity to visit Weston, MO on three occasions and attend the Bevel Brothers' "Over The Log Shoot" in the last couple years. I dedicated a page of photos on those unique shoots. We had our own Iowa Original Chunk Gun Shoot last Summer, but dun missed it. Had family duties beckon me away. Next one is scheduled for August 26th. Looking for to it. 

My mentor & Master Gunsmith is Steve "Bookie" Bookout.  He has a website, too and you'd find it interesting as well. Steve earned the CLA "Pioneer Award" for 2007. His shop is called "Toad Hall Rifleshop". We've been friends since 1978, and he's responsible for getting me into this craft.  Recently we wrote a book together on how to build "A Wooden Iowa Rifler" similar to those built over a hundred years ago.  The purpose of the rifler bench is for putting rifling grooves into gun barrels. This is the same method used by the Appalachian rifle builders. See the  Rifling Book link for more information.    

This year I took on an  Apprentice who wanted to learn the craft. His name is Bill Dunham and I gave him his own dedicated page. As time goes along, photos of his project will be shown.      

Currently I'm A Member of: NMLRA, Contemporary Longrifle Association, The Buck Crik Muzzle Loaders, Boy Scouts of America,  and the GPAA

Favorite Things To Do: Playing with my grandchildren, building guns in the shop, shooting black powder,  prospecting , and fishing. (Notice I said prospecting. I've prospected in Alaska, Australia, California, Indiana and Tennessee. Soon to check out Michigan.)

Again, Welcome To The Shop! 

Visitors to the shop.

• "Current Projects" page updated;  Finally got unpacked and set up the shop again. Started working again on the  James Armstrong (Maryland School) rifle for my friend, "Snake Bite".  He wanted a simple .32 caliber squirrel rifle. See "Current Project section" for links. I continued shaping the buttstock of the rifle and then started shaping the forearm area. Added about seven more photos.  Ended up with a nice pile of wood shavings.