The Origins of Wood-N-Lead: Handcrafting History

Well hello there, folks! Pull up a stool, grab a coffee (or maybe something a bit stronger if it’s after five), and let’s chat for a minute. I’ve been building these displays since 2019, and lately, I’ve had more than a few of you ask me over a workbench, “Brian, how on earth did you get started doing this?”

Usually, I give the short-and-sweet version because there’s sanding to be done and sawdust doesn’t clear itself! But today? Today I’ve got a moment, and I figure it’s high time I tell you the whole story. It’s a tale of old-timey toys, greasy Harley parts, a few medical scares, and a whole lot of sawdust.

The Fun Has Begun!

I was born back in 1958 in a little corner of what people used to call Dakota Territory. Back then, kids actually played outside! We did Cops & Robbers, Cowboys & Indians, and had dirt clod fights that would probably get a kid sent to the principal’s office these days. But what really stuck with me, what really got under my skin in the best way possible, was helping my dad in his workshop.

Dad was a stickler. He instilled a sense of safety with dangerous tools right from the get-go. He taught me that a tool is only as good as the hand guiding it, and you better respect that blade or it’ll bite you!  To this day, I’m proud to say I still have all ten fingers… though I’ve got a couple of nasty scars to remind me of the times I didn’t listen quite well enough.

By the time I hit high school woodshop, I practically could have taught the class! I already had the itch. But life, as it often does, took me on a few detours first.

Worn Many Hats (And Saved a Few Tools)

Before I was the guy behind Wood-N-Lead, I wore a lot of different hats. I spent over 20 years in radio broadcasting, talking to folks over the airwaves, and another 20 years in industrial maintenance. Through every career move, I always had my own workshop. It was my sanctuary. I’ve always loved taking “old junk” and giving it a brand-new purpose. I once turned old Harley-Davidson parts into a wall clock! If it’s made of metal or wood and looks like it’s seen better days, I want to save it. There’s a certain soul in old things, don’t you think?

Testing the Waters with Black Powder

About 15 years back, I got bit by the black powder pistol bug. Now, I don’t do things halfway. When I get interested in something, I throw myself into the deep end! The nearest supply shop was 50 miles away, so I decided to become completely self-sufficient.

I started casting my own lead rounds. I made my own lube and wads. Heck, I even started making my own gunpowder from scratch! I fell head-over-heels for the history of these old firearms. There’s something about a custom display plaque holding a piece of history that just feels right.

One afternoon, I decided my Colt Walker shouldn’t be tucked away in a drawer. I built a simple wall plaque, wrote up a little history of the gun, attached some pegs, and hung it up. Before I knew it, I had an antique gun display for all three of my pistols. Friends would come over, see them on the wall, and say, “Brian, those are incredible! Where’d you get ’em?”

I just pointed at the workshop and grinned.

When Life Gives You Lemons…

Now, I’m not one for “poor me” stories, but things took a turn. I got sick. Real sick. Wound up in the hospital for a stretch, and when I finally came home, I realized my days of working industrial maintenance were over. The medical bills started piling up like wood shavings on a Tuesday, and I had to do something.

I started selling off my non-essential belongings to keep the bill collectors at bay. With a heavy heart, I put my beloved antique pistol display plaques up on eBay.

They sold. Fast.

The fellow who bought them contacted me immediately and asked, “Can you make more for the rest of my collection?”

That was the “Aha!” moment. I realized that people didn’t just want a board; they wanted a way to honor their collection. They wanted a custom gun rack that looked like it belonged in a museum, not a dusty basement.

I spent the next month building templates for the most popular old-west pistols: the ’51 Navy, the ’58 Remington, the Paterson, the Dragoon… you name it. Every time I built one for a customer, I built an extra and put it online. They kept selling. Within no time, I had shipped pieces all over the world.

Why “Wood-N-Lead”?

People ask about the name all the time. “Is it Wood and Lead? Or Woodin’ Lead?”

Well, it’s Wood-N-Lead! Most folks think it’s just because the custom display plaque is made of wood and I often attach lead rounds to the boards for that authentic look. And that’s true! But the real secret? Back when I started, I was actually selling lead to guys who cast their own bullets.

Eventually, the plaques became so popular I didn’t have time for the lead business anymore. I dropped the lead sales, but I kept the name. It stuck! And honestly, I think it sounds pretty sharp.

I’ve shipped over 800 of these beauties worldwide, and honestly, the best part isn’t the money: it’s the stories. I love meeting other folks who care about history as much as I do.

So, what do you think? Is there a spot on your wall that’s looking a little lonely? Maybe an antique gun display is exactly what the doctor ordered. If you’ve got suggestions for new designs or just want to talk shop, my door (and my inbox) is always open.

I always go the extra mile for a customer’s smile!

Brian
Owner, Wood-N-Lead

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Ready to give your collection the home it deserves? Head over to our shop to see what’s currently on the bench, or contact me for a custom order!