John was born on April 5, 1956 and grew up in Maple Grove, Minnesota. As a youth, he drew, painted, sculpted, and made pottery. He has been a part-time custom gun builder for 25 years. Now, gun building is a second business, which dovetails nicely with his seasonal tree farming business. His annual gun building window is December 20 through April 1. His guns are available on a per order basis. All styles are available and documented, but he prefers longrifles of the Lehigh and Bucks Co. styles. He is currently building hand-forged locks and barrels for total hand made rifles. He also creates hand forged accoutrements such as tomahawks, knives, tools and traps. He also offers a full line of fur trade recreations and original antique pieces which can be viewed on his website at www.donelsoncustommuzzleloaders.com

John