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

Zebulon Sheetz

                                                                                     

Zebulon Sheetz was the youngest son of Henry Sheetz of Shepherdstown.  Henry and his brother Phillip were gunsmiths during the American Revolution.  Zebulon's brothers, Frederick, Otho, Thomas, & Henry Jr., were gunsmiths in Hampshire County beginning in 1793. In the town of Fort Ashby, present-day Mineral County. 

Zebulon worked with his brothers until about 1820, when he set up his own shop on Cold Stream Road near Capon Bridge. In 1835, he migrated to Monticello, Indiana, becoming one of the founders. Zebulon died there in 1868. 

                                                                                 

                                                       South Branch Intelligencer 1835

                                                          Also see Zebulon Sheetz

                      Thanks to Alan Wood Collection for use of the picture of Zebulon Sheetz

                                                                                     FB

Bits & Pieces

  Many of the gunsmiths in the 1800s made approximately 20 rifles a year.  We believe some of the bigger shops in Hampshire County, such as Sheetz & Rinehart shops, produced more.   Where did they go? 

Some of the early Glaze rifles made near Springfield on Springfield Pike near Milleson's Bridge saw service in the American Revolution.  However, most of the makers here & the vicinity were active in their trade post-Revolution. The War of 1812 probably contributed to the demise of many.  However, the Civil War was the most efficient eliminator of Virginia-made rifles.  Many were destroyed in battles and horrible conditions, and others were confiscated from Rebels & citizens by Union Troops.   

Immediately after the Civil War, the old American Long rifle was nearly forgotten.  The birth of cartridge guns and war surplus was more than it could handle. 

So, where did the rest go?   As the stock became damaged with age and abuse, some were discarded, but parts that could be used for other tools were saved.  I believe a lot was lost to house fires that were so common until fairly recently.

Many old barrels, locks & brass parts also went into WWI and WWII war efforts.  During both wars, Americans actively sought and donated scrap metals to meet the massive demand for metals. 

While Bits & Pieces are not as desirable to a collector or student of the long rifle as the complete rifle would be, they are still a handy tool in studying the work of our early gunmakers.   

  All of the following relics are remnants of rifles made here in Hampshire County. 

Attributed to Zebulon Sheetz 1793-1867

                                                           Frederick Sheetz 1774-1861

                                                     Made by someone in the Sheetz Family 

                                                             George Young 1802-1875

                                                                                   

                                                             This Rifle Exploded in Half

                                                                                   

                                               George Young Rifle Barrel Signed G Young

                                                                            41" .45 cal.

                                                                               
                                                                      For More Info 

George Young

Frederick Sheetz

Zebulon Sheetz

2023 Peach Festival Romney WV

Several rifles built in Hampshire County circa 1835 were on display today at the Peach Festival in Romney, West Virginia.  Including rifles made by George Young, Zebulon Sheetz, James Rinehart and John W Rinehart.  

BMS & JDM

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. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 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                                                         

 

                                                                  

A Scottish Traveler Visit With Zebulon Sheetz

 Zebulon Sheetz was one of Hampshire County's finest gunsmiths.   We have seen his rifles and we know them well,  we hope the following  will shed some light on Zebulon the man.  The following pages came from "Pedestrain Tour of A Scottish Emigrant" , describing his visit to Hampshire County in 1826. 

                                                                    Click Image To Enlarge

This is a little hard to see, you may need your spectacles. 

In the mid-1830s Zebulon Sheetz family moved West.   Zebulon and his family were given a letter of dismissal from their church at Cold Stream to move "to any Presbyterian church in the West, whose neighborhood God might cast his lot.  “He was given a testimonial of appreciation of the high community regard for his church service.

BMS

For more information on Zebulon Sheetz O&Z Sheetz

Follow Us On FB