Bill Reynolds, historian at Campus Martius and local gunmaker looks over a gun crafted by Carroll Shoemaker. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

MARIETTA — Many things have changed from the first arrival of the Ohio Company settlers to present day Marietta, but sometimes the old ways are still the best way.

Firearms were an essential tool in everyday life and used not only for hunting but for competition shooting. The makers of these longrifles took great pride in their workmanship in the same manner as today’s craftsman do their work.

On Saturday, the Campus Martius Museum featured both historic and modern tools at the annual Contemporary Gunmakers and Allied Artists Show.

Booths were set up throughout the museum displaying the work of several dozen traditional gunmakers, blacksmiths, leather workers and several other craftsmen who work in the manner of the 18th and 19th centuries items, such as powder horns and other bone made tools.

Among Ohio gunmakers were Warren E. Offenberger, a Marietta local, has been making custom guns across the United States for over 40 years and Carroll Shoemaker, who began making muzzleloaders in 1974.

Mason Yerian, 14, sits at his table showing off blades he has ground. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

Offenberger, has been participating in the show for several years, displaying different guns he has built in the style of pioneer longrifles. Offenberger said most of his work these days is done for collectors.

He believes the show is a great educational opportunity for the public.

“People are interested in the guns and their history and often have a variety of questions about their construction and use during the event,” Offenberger said.

Each year one of his guns are auctioned off by the Marietta Shriners Club.

His longrifles, which are hand crafted from scratch, are very ornate, but are fully functioning.

These are two guns that Warren E. Offenberger, a Marietta local, has made. He has made custom guns across the United States for over 40 years. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

Offenberger said that it can easily take him a couple months to make each gun.

“It takes me a lot longer than used to (to make a gun), as I am getting older,” he said.

Shoemaker said that it takes him time to build a gun from scratch as well.

“It takes about 200 to 300 hours to make one,” he said. “I make everything but the buttstock and the flintlock.”

Shoemaker also hand crafted all of his gunmaking tools, adding modifications where he felt things could be improved.

Tim Dowler shows off his powder horns, powder cleaning picks from turkey toes, cow horn boxes and turkey callers at the Campus Martius Museum Contemporary Gunmakers and Allied Artists Show. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

“He (Shoemaker) really is a bit of an inventor,” said Bill Reynolds, historian at Campus Martius and local gunmaker.

Some people at the event were first generation crafters, while others are carrying on a legacy.

“My great-great-grandfather was a gunsmith in noble county,” said Ronald Yerian. “While I have dabbled in crafting muzzleloaders, my true passion is in creating knives.”

Yerian has come to the show for many years, and never alone. In the past, he has been accompanied by his granddaughter Meredith Yerian, who started blacksmithing alongside her grandfather at 14.

This year however, she has started college and was unable to attend, so her little brother Mason Yerian, 14, has stepped up to follow in her footsteps… and maybe pass them.

Nate Moore makes leather goods such as shooting pouches. He collects originals to learn construction, size and design, then recreates them. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

“I aim to beat my sisters score for bladesmithing in FFA and TAC (Tryon Arts and Crafts School) competitions,” Mason Yerian said. “I can’t let her win at everything.”

Right now Mason Yerian is learning to grind a blade.

“It’s nice to be able to carry on the legacy of my family and learn from them,” he said.

Ronald Yerian said that he has enjoyed bonding with his grandchildren over the craft.

“I’m also glad that it teaches them patience and helps them to build a work ethic,” said Ronald Yerian.

On Saturday, the Campus Martius Museum featured both historic and modern tools at the annual Contemporary Gunmakers and Allied Artists Show. (Photo by Madeline Scarborough)

Madeline Scarborough can be reached at mscarborough@newsandsentinel.com