My name is Richard "Dick" Toone. I live with my wife of 45 years, Regina, within five miles of the Mt. Holly, New Jersey hospital where I was born. I have two wonderful married sons with one grandson. I have been a member of the NMLRA since 1976, former N-SSA member, present CLA, ALRA and member of the Horn Guild.

I am a four year US Navy veteran dirigible crew member, Rutgers Business major alumni, former IBM employe, then sales executive for Johnson and Towers, Inc., a marine Detroit Diesel engine distributor.

I built my first muzzle-loader in 1976 after retiring from more than a decade of racing stock outboard runabout and hydroplanes, and then returned to my first love of history by building a J.P. Beck from photos using a Sharon .50 cal barrel and began to source information on the Longhunter period. This led to a small gathering of like minded friends and four season camping with a single blanket. We attended an NMLRA Eastern in 1982 and when I told my wife of "seeing the elephant" she wanted to go and take the kids.

We started making camp furniture for the rendezvous scene in the 1980's and segued into authentic reproduction camp equipage from original examples as a business in 1990. Now full-time filling orders for a variety of National and State Historical sites, as well as the living history community.
(My picture shows me with my first powder horn (1949) and latest gun (2010) both hand wrought by me.)

Richard S. Toone
18 Tower Drive
Columbus, NJ 08022
e-mail rstoone@peoplepc.com
phone 609-261-3415

Website: www.livinghistoryshop.com

I am a professional horner and degreed artist. My passions include teaching and writing about the American colonial arts which includes folk art and fraktur.

I am as Master Horner with the HCH and I am also a Past Guildmaster of the Honourable Company of Horners. I have been working as a full-time horner since 1991.

Writer: Published author and current editorialist for the Union Finley Messenger. And contributor to many other historical publications.

Historian: Curator of The Museum of Western Expansion, Peters Township, PA. Current President of the Peters Creek Historical Society. Member of the 1st Virginia Regiment/Peters Creek Rangers. Former member and co-founder of the Rangers of the Ohio Company.

Teacher: Currently teaching the scrimshaw course for, “History Meets the Arts” at Pricketts Fort, WV.

Wm “Wild Willy” Frankfort
153 Coal Bluff Road
Finleyville, PA 15332
724-348-9705
Wildwilly1747@verizon.net

Website: www.powderhornsandscrimshaw.mysite.com

My name is Billy Griner. I am a career Civil Servant and have been working with US Civil Service for nearly 30 years. My family and I live in Woodbine, GA which is located far down the coast of Georgia. Our home is located on the edge of Big Walker Swamp which is part of the very large and wild Satilla River drainage. My family has ties to coastal Georgia that began with General Oglethorpe’s first settlement of the Savannah area in 1732 and has never seen any reason to live anywhere else. My wife (Kim) and I have two children and no grandchildren (at this time).

My interest in horn work began at age 13 when my grandfather taught me how to carve hunting horns and make turkey calls. I made my first powder horn in 1980 to accompany the first rifle I ever built. I joined the HCH in the 1990’s and have been steadily making horns since then. Most of the horns I make are either hunting horns, Southern banded powder horns, and engraved contemporary powder horns done in my personal “Satilla River” style. My engravings are considered whimsical and the patterns are drawn from local natural surroundings and antique Southern patterns. Shooting a muzzle loader has been part of my life for over 30 years. The majority of my hunting is done with a flintlock smoothbore.

It has been my honor to serve as Publications Committee Chair for the last four years. I am an HCH Past Guild Master and a guild Freeman in good standing.

Billy Griner
1201 Thoroughbred Road
Woodbine, GA 31569
(912) 322-1085

Website: www.billygriner.com

My name is John L. DeWald Jr. I'm am a native of Muncy, Pennsylvania. I started shooting black powder 35 years ago with my father who inspired me to start making simple powder horns and doing scrimshaw. I continued to pursue my love of art until leaving PA to serve my country from 1986-92. I became a correctional officer in 1994 going from state to federal service in 1998 where I still work. I met and eventually married the girl next door who grew up 2 miles from me and we have been married for 12 years. We live on 11 acres in a house built in 1863 with our 10 year old daughter NiKaya just outside a little village called Pennsdale.

In 2004, I began participating in French and Indian War re-enactments which renewed my interest in making powder horns. While researching for a horn in 2009, I stumbled across information for the Honourable Company of Horner’s and joined this prestigious group of folks in 2011. Since, I have completely let this ancient craft consume me and spend countless hours doing research and tinkering away in my 1863 basement workshop. I make contemporary and historical horns as well as wing bone turkey calls, and other fine accoutrements from horn, bone, and wood. In time, I hope to leave behind a legacy for my daughter worthy of the craftsmen that have preceded me.

I am currently a Freeman in good standing with the Honourable Company of Horner’s and a current member of the Contemporary Longrifle Association. This is my first appointment with the guild but my pledge is to uphold the high standards of the guild through my service and to continue in its traditions and pass on my knowledge to future generations of members in hopes that I too may inspire them to keep a dying art alive through caring hands.

John L. DeWald Jr., Horner and Scrimshander
157 Middle Road, #1
Hollinglea Acres
Pennsdale, PA 17756
Phone: 570-220-6450

Email: Ahtuwisae@yahoo.com

My name is Edwin McDilda. I grew up in Dry Run, Pennsylvania ; I now reside in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. I have served in the Army, Marines and the Navy. During my time with the PA National Guard working as an electrician, a service-related injury to my back put a stop to my military and electrical career. This limitation put me onto a new path in my life.

My interest in horn making began around 2008 while sitting around not being able to do much as far as activities go. That is when I decided to try and make my own powder horn. I have always been in into shooting muzzleloaders and re-enacting, but always bought the things I needed due to the fact never had the time to learn to make my own . I bought Scott Sibley’s book and from there proceeded to make my first horn. I then made another and another. After talking with Mr. Sibley about my horns and how to improve on them, he put me in touch with the HCH. I joined after talking with Guild members through various forums and in person at events.

I have learned that working with horns just doesn`t mean making powder horns- there are all kinds of horn items to learn about and make. My goal to learn as much as I can and teach to others what I have learned. I am looking forward to helping in any way I can in making the guild grow.


Edwin McDilda
32 Northview Drive
Carlisle PA 17013
717-386-5005