Hampshire County Long Rifle: GEORGE W GLAZE Part I

George W Glaze was born in 1779 in Hampshire County, son of George Glaze. He grew up on the South Branch of the Potomac near Springfield, WV. While he learned to make guns from his father, there is evidence that in the early 1800s, he worked in Winchester, Virginia, for a short period. Speculation is with one of the Lauck Gunsmiths. Records indicate that he was in Hampshire County, WV & Oldtown, Maryland, until 1827, when he went to Pickaway County, Ohio, just after his father's death, George, who moved there in 1808. We do not know precisely how long he stayed in Ohio. The 1840 Census puts him in Hendricks, IN. George remained there until he died in 1862.

The following rifle by George W Glaze is exquisite and in pristine condition. As you will see with this rifle and subsequent photos, his rifles are works of art. They are as good as any masters working in the Golden Age period, and Glaze doesn't take a back seat for anyone. Take special note of this particular piece, which you will see in the following photos. The lock is one of a kind. The carving is not a cookie-cutter design. In fact, all of his carvings vary to some degree on his rifles to express himself to the best of his ability. No major restoration has been done on this rifle you are about to see. It is in its unaltered state, with only minimal work done to conserve it. This is the first time any photos of this rifle have been shared publicly.

Signed in Silver Inlay on Barrel

Click Picture for larger Image, then scroll to advance to next image.

Barrel 35" long.

This is for everyone interested in schools of long rifles and is a student of them. Here are some elements that we think you will enjoy. The architecture is early Hampshire County's "Golden Age" at its best. The relief carving blends the Cumberland, Maryland School and the Winchester, Virginia School. The butt plate return is definitely Winchester School, as is the silver hunter star and wire inlay. The brass under cheekpiece inlay using silver-headed round nails is found in the Cumberland School. The heart inlay at the wrist is held in place with a silver rectangular-headed nail and is found in the Winchester and Hampshire County Schools. The wrist carving is of the Winchester and Hampshire Schools. The blending of the schools results in a superb presentation piece.

This lock made & signed by Glaze is one of a kind we have not seen before. We have no idea why he built this lock. Could it be to see a vision come to fruition, or was it made to strengthen the area where the lock mortise, trigger & guard are usually found? If indeed he made it for these reasons, he saw his vision come to reality. With all the internals now externals on the lock, the area is now stronger than any normal rifle. Take a few moments to study this lock.

G W G

Termination of stock molding only adds to the artistic merit of this rifle.

The only non embellished area on this rifle. Actually this lets your eyes fixate on the fantastic relief carving on the cheek side of rifle.

This seven-pierced patch box is one of our favorite designs. It is also found on rifles by the great masters of this area, Frederick Sheetz and William Britton.

A hidden lid release is found on the bottom panel of the patchbox. Pushing below the lower left-hand screw releases the lid.

Note the line in the lower butt-stock region in the above picture. This is found on a few early Hampshire County rifles. The wood was added during construction as not to waste a premium piece of maple.