Archives for April 2015

Samuel Peterson

School: Catawba Valley (North Carolina/NC)

Mr. Samuel Peterson was born 1795 in Lincoln County NC. He worked in the Catawba School of Gunmaking. He died after 1870 in Ironton Missouri. Samuel Peterson along with his father Matthias Peterson, his uncle Tobias Peterson, and his grandfather Paul Peterson were all gunsmiths. They all lived near Hickory NC at the time they were gunsmithing. Samuel’s grandfather Paul Peterson was a gunsmith that immigrated from Switzerland about 1750.

Source: Research reported by Mr. Terry Edwards, Kings Mountain, NC (9-5-2019)

Filed Under: Catawba Valley School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Henry W. Huffman

School: Catawba County (North Carolina/NC)
Henry W. Huffman (born 1807) was known to sign his rifles either in script or stamped in block letters on the top barrel flat. The four piece patchbox was similar to the Lancaster, PA box with its sideplates interrupted by wood.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Filed Under: Catawba Valley School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

M.A.

School: Mecklenburg (North Carolina/NC)
Nothing is known about this gunmaker. This single rifle is signed “MA” in script on the brass patch box. Engraved on a silver plate is “Made for John Amos ye 1 + 180?”. Hopkins Collection.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Filed Under: Mecklenburg School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

L.T.C.

School: Mecklenburg (North Carolina/NC)
The single rifle signed “LTC” in script on the brass patch box is certainly a Mecklenburg rifle as the engraving is classic for this school of makers. This rifle has no decorative carving. The gunmaker’s identity is unknown. Ivey Collection.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Filed Under: Mecklenburg School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

Isaac Thompson

School: Mecklenburg (North Carolina/NC)
Isaac Thompson was a gunsmith in the Paw Creek section of Mecklenburg County. He was known to engrave a silver inlay in the top flat of a barrel with his full name also with is initials (in script) on other examples. There were two Isaac Thompsons one born in 1780 and another about 1802; it is unknown which was the gunmaker.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Filed Under: Mecklenburg School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

Christian Earney

Earney is an alternate spelling for Arney.
See the entry for Christian Arney.

Filed Under: Mecklenburg School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

Christian Arney

School: Mecklenburg (North Carolina/NC)
Christian Arney (1795-1840) of Lincoln County, NC. There is an alternate spelling on signed guns of Christian Earney. A longrifle of note by Arney has “CA” engraved in script as does other Mecklenburg rifles. This rifle has the typical features associated with the Mecklenburg School: faceted lockplate, forestock molding terminating in a small volute and an incised comb line. Ivey Collection. There are other rifles and pistols by the same hand signed known.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Filed Under: Mecklenburg School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

SMB

School: Mecklenburg (North Carolina/NC)
This rifle signed “SMB” in script on the brass patch box is certainly related to the rifle similarly engraved WB. The patch box and finial are similar to other Mecklenburg rifles. The faceted lockplate is another Mecklenburg detail. The maker’s identity is unknown. MESDA Collection.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Filed Under: Mecklenburg School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

W.B.

School: Mecklenburg (North Carolina/NC)
John Bivins considered the rifle signed “W.B.” in script on the brass patch box one of the finest examples of a North Carolina longrifle. W.B.’s identity is unknown. Ivey Collection.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Filed Under: Mecklenburg School, North Carolina, Riflemakers

Andrew Fichthorn Sr.

School: Berks (Pennsylvania/PA)
Andrew Fichthorn Sr. [B 1756 – D 1829] will remain a mystery to the collecting world in the same manner as Wolfgang Haga and several other Borough of Reading gunsmiths. An extensive search of the Tax, Church and Land records of The Borough of Reading, Pa. do, in fact, identify his trade as a gunsmith in 1779,1780 and 1781. His will, dated 6/10/1828, also lists him as a gunsmith as well. However, his activities after the Rev War suggest he took full advantage of his business and real estate knowledge and created a considerable estate for himself and his family. Andrew Fichthorn Sr. [his proper name] served as an ‘Artificer’ during the American Revolution inCapt. George Wills Co. of artillery. An ‘Artificer’ was considered a skilled mechanic and a very valuable part of the company’s craftsmen.Even though he wanted to be considered a gunsmith, when you look at his estate records you start to wonder just how serious a gunsmith he was. He held many ‘bonds’ [mortgages today], owned multiple properties, engaged in various land transactions and held several Reading bank stocks. In addition, he supported his own children and those of his son Andrew Jr. who preceded him in death by 7 years. Andrew Fichthorn Sr. died a wealthy man. Collectors are waiting for the day a ‘signed’ example of Andrew Fichthorn Sr.’s work surfaces.

See a listing for Andrew Fichthorn Jr.

Filed Under: Berks, Pennsylvania, Reading