Yancey von Yeast started building and shooting flintlocks at the age of thirteen. He started as a builder, building his first rifle before becoming a shooter. Yancey was raised by a master cabinet maker, so it only came natural to combine his love of colonial history with building muzzleloading arms and accoutrements.

Over twenty-five years later, he continues to build and restore antique arms. Restoration of antique arms has become a mainstay, having worked for numerous museums and nationally recognized collectors. He specializes in wood restoration as well as custom forging and fabrication of parts. All work is approached with a strong and documented research perspective. Yancey holds a Ph.D. from Saint Louis University. It is his belief that antique arms have long and continued story to tell.

Most recently, he has become deeply interested in the fabrication of 17th century arms and military appendages. He continues to restore antique arms and reproduce 18th and early 19th century civilian weapons. In addition he custom fabricates locks for matchlocks, snaphauces, English locks, and flintlocks.

Each of the locks pictured were completely hand forged and hand made by Yancey.

yvonyeast@yahoo.com