Riflemakers List

Shell, John

School: Lebanon/Dauphin (Pennsylvania/PA)

John Shell (1795-1875) was taxed as a gunsmith in West Hanover Twp., east of Harrisburg, from 1817 through 1871. He built fine flintlocks and percussion rifles and was one of the few makers to number his rifles as well as sign them. He was one of the few men in the region to carry the traditional style of gunbuilding beyond the Civil War period. His father was Martin Shell, one of the grand masters of the Dauphin County school.

Berry, Peter

School: Lebanon/Dauphin (Pennsylvania/PA)

Peter Berry (d. 1796) is regarded as a grand master of the Dauphin/Lebanon region. He was taxed as a gunsmith in Heidelberg Twp., Dauphin County from 1786-1796. His distinct rifles reflect excellent crafstmanship and engraving, and genuine specimens are rare and especially desirable. Berry and his contemporaries in the trade reveal the complexity of discussing what we call the Dauphin/Lebanon school. These men worked in Dauphin County prior to the formation of Lebanon County in 1813. After 1813, tradesmen near present day Annville paid taxes to the newly-formed county of Lebanon.