Freeman Mark Ewing examining Mark Thomas' (seated) horn work.

It is always nice to see a loyal HCH member get his due in a national publication.  John Hayes crafted an excellent article on Mark Thomas for the December 2011 issue of Muzzle Blasts (the official publication of National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association). I read it twice and gave Mr. Thomas a phone call.

Our conversation was a little meandering… Shakerism, religion in America and England in the 18th Century, modern knife making and powder horn work. This was just in the first ten minutes! It always fun to speak with Mr. Thomas. I did ask him why he seems kind of dour in all of the published pictures of of him. He replied, “Those are the ones I have.” Well here is a picture I took at the Southern Arms and Crafts Show this year. Hopefully, it shows a artisan with a sense of humor as big as his talent.

By the way, his horn coloration is not a secret. He soaks his horns in bath of walnut and butternut hulls with osage orange sawdust. Sometimes he will hit a horn with a Bivins walnut stain if the horn needs a little something.

Please enjoy these pictures of some of Mark Thomas’ work. Every piece has some element of horn work.

Thanks for reading,

Rick Sheets

Here are some links to things mentioned in this blog post:

Southern Arms and Crafts Show (Williamsburg, VA).

The National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.

Mark Thomas, Craftsman to the Past.

[Show picture list]