Riflemakers List

Ernst, Jacob

School: Maryland

Frederick County Jacob Ernst may have been a relative of the gunsmith Adam Ernst. A Jacob Ernst married Mary Smith on June 21, 1758. Jacob the gunsmith was a resident of Frederick County and is included in the 1790 federal census. In July of 1803 a letter was awaiting him at the Frederick-town Post Office, however he was living in Adams County, Pennsylvania. He returned from Berwick Township and was listed as a resident of Frederick County on October 11, 1811, when he purchased the tract of land called Peter’s Promise. By 1820 he was living in Franklin Township, York County, Pennsylvania. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

Nash, Leonard

School: Rowan (North Carolina/NC)
Leonard Nash worked in Iredell County in the manner of the Rowan School. A known example of John’s work has a “Christmas tree” style patchbox, which is typical for the Rowan School of gunmaking. This box has is made from cast brass with a concealed hinge. Typical construction is of sheet brass. This particular rifle is signed “L.N.”
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Eagle, George II

School: Rowan (North Carolina/NC)
Born in Rowan County in 1783. Worked in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties, NC. His brother, John Eagle, was also a gunsmith. A known example of his work has a “Christmas tree” style patchbox, which is typical for the Rowan School of gunmaking.
Source: Ivey, William. North Carolina Schools of Longrifles 1765-1865. Thomasville, NC: Published by the Author, 2010. Print.

Boerstler, Daniel

School: Maryland

Funkstown Dr. Christian Boerstler in 1784 left Bavaria because of German tyranny and disembarked in Baltimore with only a single shilling in his possession. In September of that year he and his wife and six children settled in Jerusalem Town. The name was later changed to Funkstown. One of his sons, Daniel was a gunsmith who advertised in 1808 “Rifle, gun and cannon powder” at the bend of the waters of the Antietam on the National Pike at Funkstown. By 1812 the business was known as Boerstler and Son and in 1816 Jerusalem Manufacturing Company. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.