A Conversation with Frank House

June 10, 2021 Ethan Yazel

Frank House is an internationally known contemporary longrifle master but he doesn't let that go to his head. In the old locksmith's house in Woodbury Kentucky you'll find Frank and Lally House working in their studios just about everyday of the week and if they aren't, Lally will be in the flowerbeds and Frank will be in the garage working on an old car.

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As a young boy, Frank hated school, but he did like making things with his hands. From a young age, he was in the shop making all manner of things sharp and pointy. He went on to welding school and later became a first-class boilermaker. In the 1980s, work was slow, Frank finally had time to begin working in his own shop. After a trip to Sears Frank came home with a bandsaw and got to work.

When the boiler markers called him back to work he said, "Go to hell" and has been building longrifles ever since.

In 1988 Frank traveled to Friendship Indiana with the first rifle he thought was worth selling. Frank figured if he could sell the piece for $1200 he would have enough for groceries and electricity and most importantly, enough money to buy the parts for another longrifle. If you or someone you know have this rifle from Frank, we'd love to talk about it, please get in touch.

Frank doesn't make copies, "There's nothing wrong with making copies", he says, "It's just not what I find fulfilling for me." When Frank sits down to make a rifle, he puts himself in the position of a student studying under that original maker, he studies the processes behind the rifles rather than the end result. This allows Frank to make incredible original pieces that feel like they came from the 1700s.

At 61, Frank and been seriously building longrifles for over 40 years and while he still enjoys it, he's not working as hard as he used to. Between taking care of an old house, working with Lally, and meeting with friends around the country Frank stays very busy.

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