I bagged my first squirrel and rabbit when I was six years old. The first year I carried the Iver Johnson 410 gauge empty. My grandfather or my father had the shells. The second year, I was allowed to keep shells in my pocket, but the gun remained empty. The third year, I was allowed to carry the gun loaded. Our primary game interests were grouse, rabbits, and squirrels. My grandfather had a keen eye for the ability to spot a sitting cottontail’s eye. I personally never mastered that skill.
After graduating college and entering the workforce, my days in the woods drastically fell. An annual deer trip with work affiliates or friends was about the extent of hunting. I purchased the 88 farm I currently live on in March of 2003. I have been able to get out more since that time simply because I just have to walk out the door.
I decided I wanted something to do after retirement, and the result is Appalachian Artillery and Hardwoods. Retirement is a few years down the road, and this allows time to develop the company so that it is sustainable after retirement. The company allows myself to be involved in something that started in 1966.
Appalachian Artillery offers both new and used pistols, rifles, and shotguns. Appalachian Artillery also handles optics, bows, crossbows, and accessories. Currently, most new items are ordered on request by the customer. Most, but not all inventory items are used. Appalachian Artillery also provides transfer services for customers who purchase firearms in other areas or states, and has those weapons shipped.
Appalachian Artillery stresses safety to the highest degree. I go over every aspect of a weapon with the customer. I also like the customer to fire the weapon prior to leaving to demonstrate the ability to properly hold or shoulder the weapon, and fire.
The hardwoods side of the company is actually a descendent of Thompson’s Hardwood Floor Sanding business. I would accompany my grandfather during the summertime between school years to the jobsite. I believe I started going after the first grade, and started operating equipment as a teenager. I maintained the company for the last couple of years after my grandfather’s health started declining. College and employment sidelined that business, except for brief period from mid – 1983 to mid – 1985.
An afternoon fishing trip or squirrel hunting trip was not uncommon if a day finished early. I still own all of the equipment that made up Thompson’s Floor Sanding. It was last used around 2008 to finish all of the red oak flooring that I installed in my current home. I have a fairly well equipped wood shop, and decided about 15 years ago to purchase a saw mill. I have sawn logs from the farm for years, and have sold some rough cut lumber.
I have expanded the operation with a JD 550 dozer, a second 18” planer, and added the ability to cut molding. I plan to slowly expand that side of the business so that it will occupy all of my time after retirement that the Artillery side does not. Currently, lumber is cut on order. There may be an addition of a kiln in the future. The primary wood types are red oak, white oak, poplar, and knotty pine.
