James Merrick

This James Merrick rifle is similar to most other Hampshire County style rifles of the period. To date this is the only rifle we have seen made by Merrick. The stock is plain maple with a limited figure. The hardware needed to finish the stocking was easily procured at most hardware stores. However, the one bolt lock appears to be handmade by Merrick.  Merrick probably made the thimbles and patch box as well.  The rifle also has a cap box on the cheek side of the gun. It looks like an afterthought since its construction is fairly crude. The barrel is 42 inches long by 15/16" straight octagon and about .42 caliber with forged percussion bolster. Signed on top of rifle barrel in bold block letters James Merrick. 

Circa 1850

                                                                             

                                        Signed in Block Letters James Merrick

In the 1810 Minutes book for Jefferson County, John Merrick was bound to gunsmith Jacob Sheetz to learn the art of gunsmithing.  This may be gunsmith John Jacob Sheetz.  We need further evidence to confirm that this John Merrick could be James. But seems to be a fit.  James Merrick was an armorer at Harpers Ferry Arsenal in 1830, 1840 & 1850.  He may have worked there after that, but we are unable to find any census records with him after 1850.  We do see him on the personal property tax list as late as 1868.  His son Shadrack, born in 1829, worked at the arsenal, and so did his son James, born in 1827. It is possible that James Jr could be the maker of this rifle.  James Jr moved to New Haven, Connecticut, and worked at Winchester Repeating Arms until he died in 1913. 

The study of the American Long Rifle is continuous, and hopefully, we will find more information on James Merrick Gunsmith and the maker of this rifle. 

JDM & BMS

Martin Sheetz "Take-Down" Fowling Piece

                                                                               

                                                                   Circa 1790s

Two Hundred and fifteen years ago today, the estate sale of Martin Sheetz was held.  This marked the conclusion of the life and career of one of Virginia's prominent gunmakers.  While his life here on earth was short, his fingerprints on the gun-making industry and historic town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, will not be erased, nor will his contribution be forgotten. 

Martin was a gunsmith in Shepherdstown in the late 1700s to early 1800s.  He was born on March 30, 1776.  Martin was the son of gunsmith Philip Sheetz and the older brother of gunsmith John Jacob Sheetz.   Philip was from Pennsylvania and served his apprenticeship under George Unkafer of Hanover, Pennsylvania.  Brothers Philip & (1) Henry Sheetz settled in Mecklenburg, Berkeley County, Virginia, in 1772, present-day Shepherdstown, Jefferson County, West Virginia.  Philip purchased lot 1, Northwest corner of German & King Streets, in 1788.  (2) This is the shop where Martin served his apprenticeship and built his guns.   

Philip Sheetz died in 1793 at 55 years old, and his son Martin was 17 years old.  In Philip's will, he states,

 "I will that my gunsmith tools of every kind be and remain in the possession of my wife until my son Martin Sheetz shall arrive at full age.  Should my son Martin Sheetz continue to work at the trade of gunsmith until the period at which he shall arrive at full age & should desire to keep the said tools in case my executors are ordered to have all the tools appraised and my said son Martin Sheetz may take them at the appraisement the amount whereof he shall be charged with so that no injustice may be done to my son Jacob Sheetz and my daughter Margaret Hanes."

Martin continued the art of gunsmithing and acquired his father's tools.  The few surviving guns he built are works of art and are sought by collectors. This well-used, simple but elegant fowling piece is attributed to Martin Sheetz.  This gun has all the typical features and furnishings of a fowling piece; fowler trigger-guard, butt plate, no cheekpiece, no patchbox, and a smooth bore barrel; where it differs is the two-piece stock. On page 158 of "Battle Weapons of The American Revolution," George C. Neumann said, "A new form of private light hunting gun gaining acceptance among well-to-do Colonist after 1750 was the "take-down" design."  These could be taken down into two pieces for convenient travel.  This gun is signed M. Sheetz in script between the rear sight and the hooked breech on top of the 39-inch long, 22-gauge, octagon-to-round barrel. A hooked breech aided the quick disassembly and re-assembly utilizing the take-down feature.  This gun was originally flintlock; during the percussion era, it was converted to percussion using the original lock plate.  The trigger guard, butt plate, side plate & breech tang are engraved.  There is a relief carving of a Rococo shell design at the tang area.  The brass furnishings are artistically engraved.  We were pleased to see it show up, we don't see many fowlers from West Virginia, and surviving guns with the "take-down" feature is a rarity for any American-made gun of that era.  This fast-handling 5.5-pound, overall length 50-inch gun was built for a "well-to-do" person to carry on bird hunting trips or similar excursions. The addition of the rear sight made it more versatile and adaptable to buck & ball.

                                                                      Signed M Sheetz

39-Inch Octagon to Round Barrel Overall Length 50 Inch

                                                                       Maple Stock

                                                                     Beaver Tail Carving 

Maple Stock

Ready to Travel 39 Inches  

Brass Plate on Both Ends of Take-Down Assembly

      

      Rococo Shell

      

         Relief Carving 

       

                                                               Engraving on Butt Plate Tang

                                                             Engraving On Hooked Breech Tang

                                                    Engraving on the rear Tang of Trigger Guard

Engraving on the Bow of Trigger Guard

                                                   Engraving on the Finial of Trigger Guard

                .......................................................................................................................................                                                                 

                        Martin married Eva Yeasley in January of 1799 & they had four children. 

Martin's Will

In the name of God Amen, I, Martin Sheetz of Shepherdstown in the County of Jefferson and the State of Virginia being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind, do make this my last will and testament in manner following:

In the first place I desire my just debts to be paid and after payment of debts and funeral charges I assure and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Eva, 1/3 part of my estate, that is 1/3 the personal estate to her and her Heirs, forever, and 1/3 part of such real estate as I may be entitled to for and during her natural life and to the rest and residue of my estate of every description to be equally divided between my four children- Philip, Joesph, Jacob, and Daniel, to them , their heirs, and assigns forever and it's my desire and I hereby direct that the whole of my property , except such parts as my wife may desire to keep at the appraised value or acc't of her third, shall be as soon as convenient converted into money and put out to interest by my executors for the support and education of my children aforesaid.

I also desire that my children may be bound out to trades when they become old enough to choose, but the such choice to be approved by my executors.  I hereby make and constitute my wife, Eva, executrix and my friend Jacob Haines   executor of my last will and testament, hereby revoking and annulling all former wills be me made. In testimony whereof I have here write set my hand and seal this 4th day of December 1807.

 

Martin Sheetz died in January of 1808 at the age of 31.  Until his death, he lived in his parent's house, which he owned one-third of.  Some of the tools listed at Martin's estate sale below were undoubtedly tools he bought from his father's estate.  

* Inventory of the Personal Estate of Martin Sheetz, Deceased, and appraisal by the undersigned being duly qualified.  Order of Jefferson County 29^th January 1808 –

                                   

                                                                  

 

4 vices 21.29 Gun locks 21.75

6 gun locks 14.00 3 gun locks 3.75

2 pistol locks .67 2 pistol locks and 3 plates of cocks 2.14

Screws and very good chargers $1.50

1 pair unfinished pistols $12.00 4hand vices $1.50

175 rasps and files $29.49 1 rifle leader $5.00

142 rasps and files with handles $20.29

11 drawn saw blades $1.00

3 hand saws $2.00 4 drawing knives $1.121/2 2 spoke shaves .75

62 chisels and gouges assorted $3.00 5 bench hammers .75

3 pair pliers 2 pair nippers $2.50 2 pair shears $2.00

2 candle sticks $1.50 14 bullet mold cherry and counter sink $3.85

Chisels and punches assorted $1.50 2 braces $1.50

3 anvil bows stock and drill $1.75 1 lot punches screwdriver $1.50

2 screw plates taps & breech plated $2.25 2 stocks 7 screw plates $3.00

`1 stake, 1 horn $1.25 box and contents .25 powder horn & shot pouch .75

1 upright drill 13 pieces $2.75 81/2 H wire 4 rifle barrels $10.70

1 smooth gun barrel 1 box old iron $2.50 1 ox old files $2.00

1 oil stone .15 old brass $4.50 2 pistol barrels, 5 ¾ old copper $3.20

1 lot old iron 1 bottle varnish $1.371/2 1 hold fast $3.60

Brass $16.25

2 pair shoe brushes $1.00 1 grindstone & frame $1.00

6 bottles oil ladz, 1 hand ax $1.75 gun mounting patterns. 50

3 augers 3 bowes 1 bottle Aqua Fortis $1.25 1 pair bellows

1 anvil $8.00 2 cast anvils $5.00 1 vice $6.00

1 lot old iron .75 smith tongs hammer and lets $3.00

1 gun barrel float mandrel $1.00, 75 old files & iron .25

2 boxes old iron .25, 1 grindstone & frame shop tub $2.50

232 maple & walnut gunstocks $58.00, boring machine $10.00

350 bushels coals $21.00, 3 shovels $1.00, 1 frame saw $1.00

2 axes, 1 mattock $2.50, 11 short walnut stocks $2.30

6 pair pistol stocks, 1 pair skeets $1.25, 4 gun barrels .25

2 auger 3 chisels .11, 1 box and contents 2 fish lines hooks $1.12 1/2

2 smoothbore guns $12.00, 1 small cupboard .50

1 fish net $1.00, 1 mare saddle bridals and halter chain .01

1 sow and pigs $4.00, 3 hogs $8.00, 3 beehives $2.75

1 koop $2.50, 1 heffer $5.00, 1 grindstone $10.00

1 grindstone $4.00, 1 canoe $1.50, 1 fish net $4.00

1 pidging net $1.50, 1 ten plate stove $14.00

2 fire buckets 1 coffee pot 1 tea kettle 2 iron pots $4.00

1 bake oven 1 skillet 1 brass shovel 1 bake iron $1.50

2 frying pans with feet 1 coffee mill, 1 morter, 2 chafing dishes $2.75

3 ladels 1 scimmer 2 pewter dishes 1 bason 1 white dish $3.00

1 dresser $7.00, 1 negro boy $150.00, 1 large iron pot $2.50

2 wash tubs 1 bedstead 1 old basket 1 tub 3 wire cages $7.08 ½

1 hoisting block, 1 chopping bench, 1 backgammon table $6.25

5 pictures, 2 brass candlesticks, 3 scrivers, 6 Windsor chairs $16.60

1 tea table, 1 corner cupboard, 3 chairs, 2 leather buckets

1 table, 1 ten plate stove, 5 tight barrels, 2 ½ barrells $26.50

56 black bottles, 1 chest, 1 small tub, 1 meat tub, 16 gal. gin $26.58

2 ½ bbl vinegar, 5 gal. whiskey $29.00

2 rifle guns, 3 smooth rifle guns, 3 shot guns, 1 eating table $105.00

1 mockingbird cage, 1 feather bed and steed and bedding $21.00

1 shot pouch and belt, 3 chairs, 1 chest, 3 Winsor chairs $5.75

1 desk bookcase, 6 vol. Washington’s life and 2 razors and strap $39.75

2 feather beds, bedding and stead, 1 trunk, 1 chest $53.25

23 ½ bu. Corn, 1 bedstead, 4 old barrels, 1 dough tray $12.84

6 bread baskets, 1 meal sieve, 1 electrifty machine .75

1 pair fire tongs and shovel, 1 ten plate stove, 1 pair steelyards $10.50

105 lb. pork, 1 pair saddle bags, baskets, kegs and pitchers $942

1 old wheat barrel .75

512 feet maple plank $20.33, 23 bu. Wheat $15.33 1/3

2 bu. Salt $2.00, 1 lock $1.50, 1 graz hook .33 1/3’

                                                 The Berkeley and Jefferson Intelligencer

                                                   Jefferson County Will Book Page 421

               * Sale of good and chattels of Martin Sheetz, deceased, on Friday 19 February 1808.

                Jacob Entler bought boring machine, 5 gun barrels, cherries, springs and hooks.

                Sale amounted to $1,713.95 ½.

                William Butz (?) for making Sheetz’ coffin at $3.25.

                Paid Rev. Mr. Matthews for preaching funeral sermon $2.00

                Credit of $600.00, being ½ part of $1,800.00.  

                                   Martin's wife, Eva, died in January 1809. 

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 Take-Down Fowler

(1) Henry Sheetz was the father of Hampshire County Gunsmiths, Frederick, Otho, Henry Jr., and Zebulon.  Henry's son Michael was a gunsmith in Charles Town & his son was Jacob Sheetz of Hampshire County.

(2) Sheetz House Shepherdstown 

Oh, well, while we are on the subject of fowling pieces:

 Martinsburg Gazette August 24, 1843

  Hope You enjoyed this post, BMS & JDM      

                                                                             FB                                                         

 

                                                                  

Hiram Clark

 

Revolutionary War veteran & early settler to Ohio, Jacob Nicholls Clark was living in Cumberland Maryland in 1800 when he bound his eldest son James to George Rizer gunsmith.  The Rizer family of gunsmiths worked in present-day Berkeley County West Virginia and Allegany County Maryland. George Rizer and his father settled in Cumberland in 1793, acquiring properties both in town and the surrounding countryside. Completing his apprenticeship under George Rizer, James Clark became a journeyman gunsmith by 1805.  Eventually, James settled in Lebanon Ohio & became one of the finest gunmakers in that state. He became famous for beautiful silver-mounted rifles. The Clark & Sheetz rifle is one of the best-known. James And his sons continued their trade there until 1836 when they moved to Mississippi and started a plantation.  James died in Bolivar County, Mississippi in 1859.

Jacob bound another son Hiram Clark to George Rizer, on March 26, 1807. Hiram was 15 years old, and this indenture was to last seven years when Hiram would turn 21 on March 29, 1814.  In the 1820 Maryland Census, we find a Hiram Clark in Hancock Maryland.  We have not found him in any other records thus far.  We have found photos of a couple signed rifles by Hiram Clark. One family tree we found indicates he had a son Hiram C Clark, who married Ann Border, of the Border gunsmith family of Bedford Pennsylvania. This same tree gives 1829 as the year Hiram senior died.  If you have any information on where Hiram senior worked, lived, and died, please contact us. 

The rifle below is described by Bowers, on page 153 of “Gunsmiths of Pen-Mar-VA 1790-1840”.  As follows, “This writer has seen just one example of Hiram Clark’s work. His name was in script on top of the barrel. There were about a dozen silver inlays, Bedford style, a fine oval eagle cheek inlay, and an elaborately pierced side plate. The patchbox had a full wingspread eagle finial and lid engraving is done in a neat floral pattern, in the center which was set an oval of tortoise shell.  It was a fullstock, octagonal 40 1/2 inch barrel, with a Golcher percussion lock."

                                             Click the photo for a large view.       

                                                                Fullstock percussion rifle. 

                                                                       Golcher lock.

                                                Nicely engraved patchbox with eagle finial.

Tortoise shell inlay. 

                                                      Elaborate pierced brass side plate. 

Unique design silver thumb plate inlay.

Beautiful, engraved eagle silver cheekpiece inlay.

                                                                         H. Clark

                                                          Thanks for viewing, JDM & BMS

Jacob Nicholls Clark Story

James Clark Story

FB

Patchbox Sunday #6 Sheetz

 The following patchbox rubbings are from rifles made by the Sheetz Family of gunmakers. 

The following three patchboxes were made by Michael Sheetz of Charles Town WV.  Michael was born February 28, 1781, and died July 9, 1836.  He was the son of Henry Sheetz.  Michael's son Jacob built guns in Hampshire County. 

                                              Click Photo for Larger View

                                                                                   

                                Michael signed his rifles in block letters M. Sheetz

M. Sheetz

The following patchboxes were made by Jacob Sheetz of Hampshire County

The image at the top in the above rubbing is a capbox. These rectangular cheekside capboxes are almost exclusive to Hampshire County and we seldom see them on percussion rifles from other areas.  For clearer reference see the image below.

The following patchbox rubbings were taken from rifles made by Frederick Sheetz. 

                                                                                    

The patchbox below is attributed to John Jacob Sheetz of Shepherdstown, son of Philip and brother to Martin.  John Jacob most likely apprenticed to Martin since Philip died when John Jacob, was only 8 years old.                                                             

                                                                                

Cheek Side Relief Carving

The following group were made by William Miller Sheetz sr.  He was the son of John Jacob Sheetz.  William Miller Sheetz made his rifles in the Sheetz Shop in Shepherdstown. this was the same shop where his grandfather Philip & Uncle Martin worked.  William died in 1866 of typhoid fever at 55 years of age. 

                                                                                 

                             W M Sheetz numbered his rifles, this one may be #59 

                                                                                     

                                                                                  
                                   Hope you enjoyed viewing these, JDM & BMS
                                               Our First Patchbox Sunday