Brent Gurtek grew up in a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated from Fenn College in Cleveland with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He began building Kentucky rifles in 1993. From 1993 to 2000 he completed three rifles. He then became a full time builder and completed eight guns in 2001.

Brent primarily builds Kentucky rifles of Lehigh, Sysquehannah and Sunbury schools. He also builds Nazareth, Pennsylvania and York guns. He does not make copies of existing guns, but uses the styles previously noted. He uses his own patch box designs and casting mount patterns. His trademark is an exaggerated longhunter's knife.

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