William Loy Rifle

 The photos of this rifle we are sharing with you today were recently shared with us by the owner.  The rifle is a percussion rifle made in Hampshire County in the 1800s. Stocked in tiger stripe maple.  The barrel is octagonal, 7/8 inch across the flats, 42 inches in length, and .36 caliber. This style patchbox is almost a trademark of Hampshire County rifles.  Zebulon Sheetz was the first maker in Hampshire County to use this design, followed by George Young and Jacob Sheetz. This rifle is not signed by the maker, but has been attributed to Zebulon Sheetz.  We believe that Zebulon Sheetz first saw this patchbox design on a Simon Lauck rifle and copied the design, with some minor changes.  Lauck was an early gunsmith from Winchester, Virginia.  

                                                                                    

                                                                            

 You can see the name William Loy neatly engraved on the brass sideplate. This is most likely the original owner's name or the name of the person for whom the rifle was built.  The current owner of this rifle attributes it to William Loy of Hampshire County, born in 1785 and died in 1860.  This William Loy was a veteran of the War of 1812, as was Zebulon Sheetz.  William was a shingle maker in Hampshire County for many years. It is said that he made shingles under a certain tree and requested to be buried there. William Loy's grave is on Ford Hill Road near Augusta, WV.  

                                                                                     

Thanks to the owner of this rifle for sharing with us, JDM & BMS