So very sorry to hear Herschel House has contracted cancer. There's a fine youtube video that "Kentucky Afield," hosted by Tim Farmer, put out with a doubly fine interview Tim did with Herschel in his (Hershel's "undisclosed mancave") shop. I tried to post it here, but couldn't get it to work.
I watch the video probably near once a week because it's so downhome great. Herschel mentions in the video how a book he read in the 4th grade titled, "Singing Wheels," had a great impact on his love of American history, along with his granddad "who was a wealth of knowledge" on the Civil War and early American history. Herschel says in the video he still has a copy of the book, and just for grins, I surfed the net and picked up a copy, too, just because. Indeed, it's a cool novel about a kid heading West and receiving his lessons and knocks along the way. Very well illustrated, and more than a little detailed in frontier life descriptions. Anyway, one can't help but feel meeting Herschel would be like meeting an old friend; his personality, love of American history and love for his gun building shines through and through.
Then, at the end of the video, he shows the loading procedure for a muzzleloader to Tim and fires off a near instantaneous shot with his long rifle...and his follow through is flawless.
I just may have found the video here; once it opens, click on "Flintlock Rifles With Herschel House."
Also, the next video, "Flintlock Craftsman," is a fine one, too. It's an interview Tim gives with Mike Miller, another absolute master gun-builder.
www.google.com/search?q=kentucky+afield/herschelhouse
God Bless Herschel, and hopefully he will beat this challenge to his health and livelihood. He's an American treasure, certain sure.
And Happy 4th of July to all!
He lost a lot of weight and is heavier in those photos in the link. I hope to see him if I go to Bowling Green, KY in 2022.