Riflemakers List

Martin, Michael

School: Lancaster (Pennsylvania/PA)

Michael Martin paid taxes as a gunsmith from 1820 to 1839 in Brecknock Twp., Lancaster Co., PA. It is likely that he worked beyond 1839, perhaps as late as 1850. Martin built guns in the early manner, substantial yet well proportioned and graceful, often with 4-piece brass patchboxes.

Shell, Martin Jr.

School: Lebanon/Dauphin (Pennsylvania/PA)

Martin Shell, Jr., (1763-1817) was taxed as a gunsmith in Paxton Twp. Dauphin County, PA from 1790 to the time of his death. He was the father of John, Jacob and Daniel Shell, all gunsmiths. While some sources list only one Martin Shell, it is most likely that there was Martin Sr., a maker of muskets and a few fine rifles in the earliest period, and that his son, Martin Jr., was the maker of many of the golden-age specimens which reflect the Dauphin school at its finest. Rifles signed “Martin Shell” are rare. A few specimens can be seen in Kindig’s 1960 text, Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in Its Golden Age, G. Shumway, Publisher.

Pagenhardt, Charles, A.

School: Maryland

Westernport In 1853 Charles A. Pagenhardt and William Shaw, his presumed mentor, purchased property in Westernport and workded together in the gunsmith trade. The property was taken over by Pagenhardt in in 1857 when Shaw moved to Grantsville. Charles had seven other land transactions with the last being in 1873. His son, Leonard E. Pagenhardt, advertised as a gun and locksmith in the late percussion period. For further reference, see Arms Makers of Maryland. For additional information see Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

Cookman, William

School: Maryland

Hagerstown In April of 1841 William Cookman and Joseph W. Keller took over the manufacture of guns, rifles and pistols at the old stand occupied by William Hawken on Jonathan Street between Washington and Franklin. For further reference, see Arms Makess of Maryland. For additional information see, Maryland Longrifles Hartzler/Whisker.

Albright, Henry

School: Lancaster (Pennsylvania/PA)

Born August 5, 1772 in Lititz, Pennsylvania. Died January 27, 1845. Son of grand master Andreas Albrecht. Documented as a maker in Lititz/Warwick Twp. as early as 1792. It appears that Henry was a peripatetic gunmaker, moving west to Cumberland County and then to Ohio, later to return to the Moravian communities of Lititz (Lancaster Co.) and Nazareth (Lehigh Co.)