Riflemakers List

Armstrong, William

School: Maryland

Emmitsburg William Armstrong was a son of the well-known gun and whitesmith John Armstrong. A Frederick County history states that William Armstrong was an inspector of arms at Harpers Ferry for many years. In 1822 he was a master armorer at the Marine Barracks in the Washington Naval Yard. A William Armstrong is listed in Buckeystown, District 1 of Frederick County, in 1833. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryand. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker

Pagenhardt, Leonard, E.

School: Maryland

Cumberland Leonard was the son of Charles A. Pagenhardt who made guns and pistols at Westernport. After the War Between the States, Leonard advertised as a gun and locksmith at 62 North Mechanic Street in Cumberland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

Long, Stofil (Stofille)

School: Berks (Pennsylvania/PA)

Long, Stofil (Stofille) is shown in the 1850 census working as a gunsmith in Albany Township. Albany Township lays at the most northern end of Berks County and his rifles show nearby Lehigh County influences of slimmer, lighter rifles than those produced in other areas of Berks County. His rifles sometimes include the mysterious “Indian head” motif seen on rifles coming from the two neighboring county’s borders.

Haines, Isaac

School: Lancaster (Pennsylvania/PA)

Isaac Haines was a grand master of the Lancaster school. He was taxed as a gunsmith in Lampeter Twp., Lancaster Co., from 1772 to 1792. As with all antiques from this period, genuine specimens are rare. Some of his guns present beautifully engraved 4-piece patchboxes and beautiful woodcarving featuring three Rococo C-scrolls.

Neihardt, Peter

School: Northampton/Lehigh (Pennsylvania/PA)

Peter Neihardt (several variations of spelling noted) was born in 1743 and died in 1813. He worked in Whitehall Township, Northhampton County (now Lehigh Co.) and is regarded today as a grand master of the region. His architecturally gracefull rifles present many Germanic features which reflect the influence of the Moravian masters at Christian Springs, but Neihardt’s guns usually do not present the pronounced buttstock curvature seen in the guns of the later, fully-developed Lehigh pattern. Hence, Neihardt’s work can be seen as transitional between the earliest period and the era when the Lehigh form became a distinct and pronounced regional style. Neihardt’s work is not commonly encountered today and any genuine specimen can be regarded as a rarity. Further information can be found in the KRA Bulletin and in monographs published by R.G. Gabel

Reedy, Leonard

School: Berks Womelsdorf (Pennsylvania/PA)

Leonard Reedy [B 1776 – D 1837] , Master Gunsmith, Womelsdorf, Pine Grove and Gratz, Pa.
Leonard Reedy learned the gunsmith trade while an apprentice to John Bonewitz in Womelsdorf, Berks Co., Pa. It is estimated he joined Bonewitz as an apprentice in 1790, at age 14, and achieved Master Gunsmith status 7 or 8 years later. He remained in the Bonewitz, Womelsdorf shop after completing his apprenticeship and moved with the Bonewitz family to Pine Grove, Pa. in 1809. Sometime after the conclusion of the War of 1812 he moved to Gratz, Pa. where he continued as a Master Gunsmith and also became a local Justice of the Peace.

Both Bonewitz and Reedy are credited with teaching the mysteries of the gunsmith trade to Andrew Fichthorn Jr. who returned to Reading in 1802-1803 and established his own shop.

Leonard Reedy’s account journals, while in Gratz, are the subject of 10 pages [13-22] in Joe Kindig’s famous book ‘Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age’ printed in 1960. His Gratz account journals are also reviewed in an article published by the Gratz Historical Society. ‘The Lost Years of Leonard Reedy’ were the subject of a private research effort by KRA member H. I. Bishop presented to KRA members in 2004.

Further information available:
– Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age, Joe Kindig, p 13-22
– Gratz Historical Society-Leonard Reedy
– ‘The Lost Years of Leonard Reedy’, Private manuscript H.I. Bishop
– ‘Master, Apprentice, Master’ American Tradition Vol. I, No. I 2010 Bishop

Leonard Reedy overallLeonard Reedy