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FRIDAYSEPTEMBER 13
UNBC: Dr. George Iwama not returning for second term
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THE RIFLEMAN Teresa Mallam arts@pgfreepress.com For craftsman Taylor Sapergia the uniquely beautiful long bows and rifles he makes are functional, historical art. “I think of them as pieces of art. They’re a marriage of wood and metal,” said Sapergia. “The basic skills a person needs to complete a rifle are sharpening skills and an artistic ability but it goes beyond that. I have a shelf of historical reference books and I make all my rifle patterns from those.” Two of his uniquely beautiful handcrafted long rifles will be on display along with works by other local artists at the Artisanal Hunting and Fishing Showcase at Two Rivers Gallery Sept. 16 to Oct. 9. Sapergia plans to display the rifles not in a glass case but with some historical reference like a Hudson’s Bay blanket. His own handcrafted rifles – while stunning to look at – get plenty of use. “[By law] I keep them locked up most of the time. I do take them out and hunt with them but I don’t think of them as weapons. That [term] is offensive to me – just as a fish hook for catching trout is not a weapon.” Sapergia specializes in creating rifles like the ones used at the end of the 18th century (and replicated for popular 50s TV shows like Davy Crocket). “I prefer making muzzle-loading rifles that use black powder. I’ve always been interested in history and I’ve always had a need to create things with my hands. When I was a kid my dad taught me to use and sharpen tools and files. Without sharp tools you cannot do anything.” This may explain why in Sapergia’s “day job” he sharpens blades for hair salons, barber ships, restaurants, etc. He’s learned many
Teresa MALLAM/Free Press Taylor Sapergia with one of two muzzle-loading, long rifles he will have on display at the Artisanal Hunting and Fishing Showcase.
aspects of the blade business and considers his passion for creating long bows and rifles – and knives – just a hobby. A knife he made is in a collection owned by movie star Brad Pitt. Serious collectors know what they want, he says. “One of Brad Pitt’s bodyguards is friends with one of my buddies in P.G. and that’s how he [Pitt] found out about my handcrafted knives. Mr. Pitt collects Bowie (big) knives and he picked one out and paid the price I asked.” But back to humble beginnings – and a time before Sapergia’s artwork made its way to the homes of the rich and famous. “My uncle had a few muzzle-loading rifles and as a kid, I got very interested in them,” said Sapergia. “I used to love handling them and it sparked my interest in wanting to create them myself. So I made my first one at 14, based on his old muzzle-loading flintlock pistol. My father helped me make the parts.” It can be an expensive hobby. “Parts for one rifle can cost $1,200 for things like the lock (firing
mechanism), butt plates and trigger guards. Metal parts require polishing, shaping and fitting and they can be iron, or brass or fine silver. For me, it’s a hobby, I tried doing it for a living at one point and well...you’ve heard of the starving artist.” He laughs at the suggestion he could use more Brad Pitts. Building a rifle is one thing, embellishing it is another, says Sapergia. The parts have to fit perfectly and fine workmanship, down to the small details, takes time. “I love the detail. Building a rifle takes x amount of time – the artistry on it takes 2x the time. Historically, even military guns and the cheapest of firearms had some kind of embellishment to make them more interesting. They had fancy metal or wood inlays and engraving on them even though they had a deadly purpose – whether it was hunting game for the stewing pot or waging war with the enemy. “It ran the gamut.” His preference for long rifles hearkens back to his love of history and a
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