East Texas Quarterly Magazine Summer 2013 | Page 4

MASTER GUNSMITH
Long after the ink had dried on the words of the
Declaration of Independence, the long rifle has been
a part of American history. For generations,
this uniquely American firearm also put food
on family tables, provided protection for
pioneers and ultimately evolved into what is now
seen as an art form.
One cannot think of flint rifle makers without including
Leon Miller. A maker of muzzle loaders for almost
five decades, Miller is widely respected for his work.
Although he is 71, Miller is still semi-active whether
it’s making fine guns, repairing antique guns and
rifles, or working on antique clocks.
“My health isn’t what it used to be,” says Miller from
his home in Kirbyville, Texas. “I am kind of limited to
the amount of time I can spend in the shop working
on a new rifle. But I still try to keep my hand in making
a quality rifle or hand gun.”

at the time, he bought an antique rifle from Dixie Gun
Works and cut the barrel into three lengths and made
three antique revolvers from the pieces.
“That was actually the beginning of my career as a
gunsmith,” he points out. “The more rifles and guns I
built, the more popular they became.”
In the 1970’s, Miller owned and operated a gun shop
in Saw Mill Town near Newton, Texas.
“People would come from all over East Texas to the
shop,” says Miller. “I got big write- ups in the newspaper
in Port Arthur and The Beaumont Enterprise back in
those days. People really liked my work.”
Among his many talents, Miller is also noted for
making Bowie knives. “I don’t make knives any more

Miller, whose family settled in Kirbyville following
World War II, says he graduated from Kirbyville High
School in 1960 and has lived on the family “home
place” all his life.
“I kind of got used to doing things my own way,”
he points out. “Got into the rifle making business
because I like antiques and antique guns.”
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