Carl Handel

Born and raised in the northeast corner of Illinois near the Mississippi River I spent plenty of time learning to fish, hunt and gain an appreciation for the outdoors. This is also where I made my first encounter with muzzleloading firearms via a CVA percussion Kentucky rifle kit. Attending college and gaining employment stalled my interest in the black powder sport until finding a local muzzleloading club near where I lived. This led me and my family to join le malice de St. Phillips as stationed at Fort de Chartres.Eventually I tried my hand at making powder horns and shooting bags, which I have done for 18 years. My work focuses primarily on plain working mans powder horn to fully engraved horns in the style dating from 1740 through 1770. My work is made to represent that made by an individual for his own use or as commissioned to a friend that has artistic talent. Much of my work is patterned after original makers such as John Bush, Jacob Gay, the J.W. Carver and other provincials of the French and Indian War/ Lake George Style