Marvin J. Kemper, Gunmaker

Cased Percussion Pistol - This left-handed pistol styled after the work of Lancaster County gunsmith, Henry Albright.  It is embellished with Sterling silver, brass and a checkered grip.  The velvet lined case is constructed from finely figured Sugar Maple.

Photography by: Marvin Kemper

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Kentucky Pistol – This pistol styled after the work of Lancaster County gunsmith, Henry Albright.  It is embellished with Sterling silver, brass and fine silver wire inlay.
Photography by: Marvin Kemper

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Cased Kentucky Pistols - These pistols are built in the style of Henry Albright and include embellishments in Sterling silver and brass.  Each set is fitted into a custom case handcrafted from highly figured walnut and curly maple.  Each case is compartmentalized and velvet lined. Accessories include a priming horn, bullet mold, measure, lead balls and patches.  The cases are equipped with solid brass stop hinges and locks.

Photography by: Marvin Kemper

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Southern Iron-mounted Pistol - This pistol is representative of one that may have emerged from one of the gunsmith shops in Kentucky, Tennessee or the Appalachia region of America.  It features hand-forged iron mounts, a 12 inch swamped 36 caliber barrel and a sterling silver butt-cap overlay.

Photography by: Marvin Kemper

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175 Year Commemorative Rifle - This rifle was commissioned by the Southern Indiana town of Ferdinand.  In 2015, the community celebrated the 175th anniversary of its founding.  With its near 100% German heritage, there was an interest in creating a piece that was symbolic of the area’s strong woodworking heritage and celebrated the milestone year.  Furthermore, it is my hometown and a place where my father, Cornell Kemper crafted Kentucky longrifles on a full-time basis for nearly fifty years.  The Commemorative Rifle incorporates my father’s favorite Berks County “Roman Nose” stock architecture.  The embellishment of the rifle was designed to celebrate the anniversary of Ferdinand and thus, you will see unique elements such as the silver silhouette of the town skyline on the patchbox lid.  The silver eagle cheekpiece inlay includes an engraved ribbon proclaiming “Celebrating 175 Years.”  The rifle is relief carved and includes a number of fine silver wire accents.

Photography by: Marvin Kemper

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Squirrel Rifle - This  32 caliber rifle was built for my goddaughter and features elements that can be tied to a number of gunmaking schools.  It is petite and light.  The embellishments are done in a blend of brass and sterling silver.  The patchbox is a style often used by my father, Cornell Kemper.

Photography by: Ric Lambert Studio

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Lancaster Custom Rifle - This rifle exhibits many of the same characteristics seen on my other  early Lancaster pieces.  At the request of the customer, the patchbox was slightly altered to include a pierced finial and a sterling silver star has been added to the cheekpiece.
Photography by: Rick Lambert Studio

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Silver Mounted Rifle – This rifle is an interpretive piece that incorporates a variety decorative elements.  It features German Silver mounts and fine silver wire inlay.
Photography by: Rick Lambert Studio

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The “Eagle” Rifle – This rifle displays the Roman nose architecture often attributed to the Berks County region.  It is a customer designed piece with a number of distinctive details. The most striking is the eagle patchbox with its side-opening lid and combination of brass, steel and sterling silver.  On the cheekpiece are two opposing sterling silver moons with a happy-sad appearance.
Photography by: Rick Lambert Studio

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Lancaster/York (Silver Mounted) – This rifle incorporates a number of details that would have been seen on rifles produced in the Lancaster and York area.  It is mounted and decorated entirely in German silver which would be indicative of pieces from the very late flint and early percussion era.
Photography by:  Marvin Kemper

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Early Virginia – This rifle exhibits the classic details of the early Virginia school of gunmaking.  The signature details include the wide buttstock, floral patchbox design with an edelweiss flower finial  and wire inlay.
Photography by:  Marvin Kemper

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Miscellaneous Works – Here are some views of miscellaneous flintlock guns made by Marvin Kemper.
Photography by:  Marvin Kemper