Riflemakers List

Harner, Jacob

School: Maryland

Emmitsburg Jacob Harner was listed in the 1820 U.S. Census in Frederick County. He bought John Armstrong’s gunsmith tools for $28 on October 21, 1822. He is listed in the transaction as being from Frederick County. On June 13, 1827, he bought several lots, and in October of that year he is shown in a land transaction as residing in Adams County, Pennsylvania. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

Fichthorn, Andrew 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.

Bonewitz, John

School: Berks Womelsdorf  (Pennsylvania/PA)

John Bonewitz [B 1758 – D 1828] worked as Master Gunsmith in Womelsdorf, Pa. from approx. 1778 until 1809. Moved to Pine Grove, Pa. in 1809 and continued the trade there until his death.
Bonewitz first appears in the Womelsdorf tax records in 1780 as a single freeman. In 1781 he appears in York, Pa for a short period of time and then again in Womelsdorf estate records in 1783 and as a tax payer from 1784 thru 1809.
Largely credited with training Leonard Reedy while in Womelsdorf who remained with Bonewitz in the Womelsdorf shop after his apprenticeship and moved with him to Pine Grove in 1809.
Bonewitz and Reedy also are credited with training Andrew Fichthorn Jr. in the mysteries and art of gun making up until 1802-1803 when Fichthorn Jr. returned to Reading, Pa. and established his own shop. [See Andrew Fichthorn Jr.]

Further information available:
– John Bonewitz, Womelsdorf, Pa., by Henry Bishop
– KRA Bulletin: Vol. 29 No. 2 Winter 2002
– Selected KRA Bulletin Articles-KRA 2005 Published by Kentucky Rifle Foundation
–  High Resolution Photos of Bonewitz’ Work – Kentucky Rifle Photographs 2005 Volume I, Issue I
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