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Better known
simply as the CLA, this membership organization has its
roots in the decision of the Kentucky Rifle Association
(KRA) to ban modern made longrifles and accoutrements from their
annual show in Carlisle, PA. (Fortunately for everyone, that ban has long since
been lifted and properly marked new pieces are now
allowed at KRA shows.) Several folks, including KRA
member Alan Gutchess who was working at the CWF Gunshop
at the time, responded by wondering if there would be
enough interest in building and collecting
contemporarily made pieces to form a separate
organization. Discussions of this idea continued
amongst the instructors at
the NMLRA Gunsmithing Seminar in Kentucky and it was
decided that for this idea to have any chance of success
it would need leadership from someone with experience in
managing organizations and gun shows who was
also a collector of contemporary and antique longrifles and their
accessories. Gordon Barlow soon moved to the top of a
very short list! Wallace Gusler knew Gordon best and was
asked to float the idea by him.
Wallace and Gordon met at Rowes restaurant outside of
Staunton (a favorite lunch spot on Route 250 just east
of I-81) and Wallace pitched the idea to Gordon. After
some discussion he agreed to take on the leadership roll
provided that Wallace would be the first president.
The rest is history.
The CLA is now in its 14th year
with an average annual membership of just under one thousand. (A
couple hundred
more buy a short term membership to attend the Lexington
Show.) The publication of a beautiful and informative
new biannual CLA journal titled American Tradition
in February of 2010 has sparked a lot on new interest in
CLA membership. The journal will be available to the
membership while supplies last. A second issue is due
out in mid-summer.
The next
annual show is scheduled for Lexington, KY in August of
2010. (See link below for details.) Gordon Barlow continues to be the driving force in
managing and promoting the organization and we all owe
him a heart felt thank you for his work on behalf of
both artisans and collectors of contemporary longrifle
art.
In addition to the national show in August, several
local groups sponsor "mini-shows" in regions where there
is enough interest. These shows are independent and have
their own admission policies and display requirements.
To learn more about the CLA and how you can become a
member follow this link:
CLA Home
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