| Native people seemed to always embellish | | | | Indian lore. On the other side of the stock |
| their possessions. Whether it be shirts or | | | | the tacks followed the lines of a teepee with |
| weapons of war, they always added character | | | | a silver coin with period illustrations |
| to their bare necessities. This time | | | | emblazoned upon it. This rifle is now a |
| consuming practice could add meaning and | | | | valued part of my collection.The Indian also |
| personalization to their possessions. With | | | | decorated the tool he used in religious |
| the introduction of the white man into their | | | | ceremonies. The drum was very important to |
| native lands the indians began to adopt | | | | the Indian. Part of its use was a tool used |
| aspects of the white mans society in order to | | | | to communicate with the other world and |
| compete with him. Some of the white mans | | | | spirits. Modern science has verified that |
| ways actually made it easier for the native | | | | certain drum beats transform ones brain into |
| american to exist. The bow had always been | | | | a type of receiver and transmitter. The drum |
| important to the indian. With the white man | | | | changes the wave and state of your brain |
| came the introduction of firearms. The | | | | pattern. The indians mainly used animal hides |
| indians adapted to this new form of power but | | | | to make a covering for the drum. Beating on |
| also added touches of their own. The firearm | | | | this material produced the tone so many of us |
| became an object for embellishment. Tacks | | | | are familiar with. Synthetic material is a |
| were generally used on gun stocks and | | | | better transmitter of tonal quality than the |
| forearms in elaborate patterns. I have also | | | | animal hide.My drum arrived at my home having |
| seen horse hair and other forms of decoration | | | | started out life as animal hide and wood |
| used on these objects.I became fascinated by | | | | being crafted by tribal Indians. Animal hide |
| the firearms offered in the indian style in | | | | reacts to changes in temperature and |
| the form of the Winchester 94 and Marlin | | | | barometric pressure. Humid days change the |
| lever action rifles by various modern day | | | | tonal capacity of animal hide drums. I began |
| companies. The Crazy Horse rifle offered in | | | | by using a sealer both front and back to the |
| the form of the Winchester 94 rifle is a work | | | | animal hide to help guard against changes in |
| of art. Artful scenes on the side plates of | | | | weather conditions.I am not the fine artist |
| the rifles along with tactful tack | | | | in the family. I crafted a legible rendition |
| decorations on the wood parts of the rifles | | | | of the scene that I wanted on the drum. In |
| were awe inspiring. The art work on the | | | | this case the scene involved a high desert |
| Marlin firearm that I witnessed was art | | | | scene with several teepees and a camp fire. |
| elevated to it's highest level.I had a | | | | My wife did wonders with the desert scenery |
| Winchester 94 in my possession that was not | | | | and cactus. It was dusk on the desert and |
| new and had also taken deer sized game in | | | | night was approaching. The sky reflected |
| it's life. The gun was in good shape with | | | | this aspect of the clock. Above this scene |
| good wood and excellent bluing. This was my | | | | in shadowy tones was the power animal that |
| project. I had looked at the various | | | | benefitted the moment. Additional decoration |
| examples of decorations on various rifles. I | | | | was added with leather lacing and hand |
| decided to make my own art work on this rifle | | | | painted feathers that resembled those of the |
| my own personal expression. The tack work | | | | eagle. With the help of my spouse I was able |
| followed the traditional lines of indian | | | | to add another valuable decoration to our |
| inspired rifle work. On one side of the | | | | home.Stephen Graham-Writes articles on his |
| stock I decorated the rifle with the out line | | | | may hobbies and experiences. Read more of his |
| of one of the most inspiring power animals in | | | | articles on the web sites below. |