The Muzzleloader Shop, Ltd.

Hamilton "Dykes" Reber opened The Muzzleloader Shop, Ltd. in North Little Rock in 1980 and later expanded to Berryville, Arkansas. His path to becoming one of the country's foremost muzzleloading gunsmiths started at age six working his granddad's forge and continued through formal apprenticeships with Charlie Turnipseed, Paul Pyle, and F.D. Brakebill of the Powder Horn Shop.

Dykes holds a master's degree in diagnostic audiology with a minor in physics, but his real expertise is in custom muzzleloading firearms. He's built or restored guns for Jerry Jones, Leon Panetta, and Charlton Heston—and has received referrals from Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin. His cased dueling pistols (reproduction of a set made for the Duke of Wellington) are displayed at the Old Statehouse Museum in Little Rock.

Dykes comes from a family with deep roots in American military history. His fourth great-grandfather served in the American Revolutionary War. His third great-grandfather fought at the Battle of New Orleans with the Mississippi militia during the War of 1812. His great-great-grandfather served four years with the 33rd Mississippi Infantry during the Civil War. His father was Coast Guard and Navy during WWII. That heritage runs directly into his craftsmanship.

"If the customer wants a green gun, get out the green paint!" — F.D. Brakebill's advice to Dykes, which became his philosophy for custom work.

Custom Muzzleloading Firearms - Flintlock pistols, rifles, and smoothbores - Percussion pistols, rifles, and smoothbores - Right or left-handed builds - Every detail customized: wood, stain, finish, lock, trigger, furniture

Factory Guns - Knight rifles and revolvers - Traditions firearms - Pedersoli reproduction firearms - Loyalist Arms firearms

• •Custom gunsmithing and builds
• •Restoration work
• •Appraisals
• •Repair work

Accessories & Supplies - Scopes (front sights, open sights, peep sights, rifle scopes) - Powder and related supplies - Hunting and target pistols - Knives and hawks (axes and knives) - Leather goods (holsters, accessories, possibles bags) - Period-correct supplies

Dykes wrote muzzleloader hunting regulations for over 20 states in the 1980s—regulations that form the foundation of modern muzzleloader seasons across the country. He's recognized as an expert witness in 11 state court jurisdictions, seven Federal court jurisdictions, and by the Solicitor General of Canada.

In 1979, he was commissioned to photograph and catalog the firearms collection at the Saunders Museum in Berryville, Arkansas—work that showcased both the historical significance and technical quality of period firearms.

Contact: Dykes Reber or Marty Paine (Berryville); Bill Skinner (North Little Rock) Cell: (870) 654-0629

Dykes has taken on his first apprentice, Sean McCanless, ensuring that the knowledge and precision of traditional muzzleloading gunsmithing continues into the next generation. Both shop locations carry everything needed for precision shooting, repair, appraisal, and custom work—along with a complete range of period-correct supplies and accessories.