From the first arrival of the Ohio Company settlers to present day Marietta, the local area has always been the forefront of quality craftsmanship.

Firearms were an essential tool in everyday life and used not only for hunting but for competition shooting. The makers of these longrifles took great pride in their workmanship in the same manner as today’s craftsman do their work.

On Saturday, the Campus Martius Museum featured the historic craftsmanship at the annual Contemporary Gunmakers and Allied Artists Show.

Booths were set up throughout the museum displaying the work of several dozen traditional gunmakers from around the Ohio Valley as well as several other craftsmen who work in the manner of the 18th and 19th centuries, such as horn makers, hunting bag makers, leather workers, tinsmithing, cabinet making and other allied trades.

Warren E. Offenburger, a Marietta local, has been making custom guns across the United States for over 40 years. He displayed several rifles at the show, including one that will be auctioned off at the Shriners Auction.

“I have three of his custom rifles and two dueling pistols,” said Bob Lane, of Marietta.

Another craftsman at the event was “Wild Willy” Frankfort, of Finley Pa., a registered Master Horner with the Honorable Company of Horners.

“My passion is 18th century frontier history, particularly the Virginia backcountry,” said Frankfort.

Aside from powder horns, Frankfort also had items made from bone, antler and shells that he had made and scrimshawed different designs onto..

“I enjoy coming out to this event to catch up with old friends I used to shoot with at ranges and to meet new people with the same interests,” said Frank Pritcher, whose wife was selling pottery and Native American style bead work.

The event has also grown in popularity with younger generations, who have picked up the trade from other family members.

Meredith Yerian, 17, of Lancaster, said she started forging with her grandfather at 14. She has attended the Marietta show in the past, and sells her work each year.

“I have definitely continued to grow in skill over the years, and this time I have three knives on the table with my grandfather’s work,” said Yerian.

Bill Reynolds, historian at Campus Martius and local gun maker, grew up crafting guns and knives, and his love for it shows.

“Many people are interested in the art form and the history,” he said of the craft of muzzleloader making. “Many of them make almost the entire gun, buying only a few parts.”

Reynolds started making guns in 1963 in a high school shop class in Stow, Ohio. Since 1963, Reynolds said he has made “a lot” of guns and displays them at shows like Saturday’s event at Campus Martius.

“The attendance shows there is a strong interest in the history of the artists and the early history of the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Reynolds said.