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

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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

                                                    

Thanks Pops,

But I Really Had My Heart Set On A  Fullstock

Patchbox Sunday #5 John Crummey

Patchbox rubbings from John Crummey rifles.  John Crummey born 1788 died 1857.   He was a gunsmith in the early 1800s in Rockingham County Virginia.  He is listed as a gunsmith in tax records from 1805-1832.  From the book "Historic Harrisonburg", " The ball & fish weathervane mounted atop the courthouse built in 1833-34 was made by John Crummey assisted by George Logan".   In the 1851 and 1854 census records of Iowa, there is a John Crummey born 1788 from Virginia.  In 1852 this John Crummey married Sarah Robbins in Iowa City.  In the 1856 census of Iowa, John is 68 and Sarah is 58.  He died August 5, 1857, in Iowa City.   More research is needed & if you have any more information on him, please let us know.   

                                                                 Click Image to Enlarge

                                          See photos of a  John Crummey rifle. 

                                     Hope you enjoyed this, JDM & BMS

                                                                             FB

A Rebel's Rifle

 

When the Civil war began, men and boys from these hills of Western Virginia, grabbed their hunting rifle and headed off to the cause.  Of course, many times they need not venture far, as the conflict may be at their doorstep.  Every time I handle an antique longrifle  I wonder who the early owners were, where it has been, and what it may have experienced.  The ole adage, "if this gun could only talk".   Well, the rifle we present today, has some provenance engraved to it, so in a sense, it can speak, sharing a little of its history, while keeping the identity of the soldier who carried it into battle a secret.  This rifle has witnessed the bloodiest day on American soil. Shortly after the rebel combatant fell or was captured, his rifle came into possession of the Gosnell's. The Gosnell's had it engraved and gifted it to their uncle, Samuel Ward, a veteran of the War of 1812.  This gift was a way for the nephews to honor their uncle’s loyalty and service to our country during America's Second War of Independence.  Samuel Ward's nephews were his sister's sons.  Samuel Ward lived in the Baltimore area.  Samuel died in 1867 at the age of 82 & was referred to as an " Old Defender" of Baltimore in the War of 1812.  The Gosnell's were also residents of Maryland. 

                                                                 Click for larger image

                                                                                      

The side plate is engraved, “A Rebels Rifle captured on the battlefield of Antietam 17 Sept. 1862.”

                                                                          

The patchbox door bears a presentation inscription, “Presented to Samuel Ward / Soldier of the War of 1812 by his nephews / L.W. Gosnell, M.T. Gosnell, / & Wm. L. Gosnell.”

                                                                                 

                                                  C. Robbins Flintlock converted to percussion

                                                                                 

W E in script 

The percussion longrifle was made by William Evick (1803-1886) of Pendleton County and signed W E in script on top of the barrel. The Evick's were prominent gunmakers in Franklin. I believe the rifle was originally percussion & used a repurposed lock, that was originally flint and converted to percussion.  The rifle is approx. 40 cal, and has a 32-inch barrel, obviously cut down from an original length of 40-44 inches.  The rear sight has been moved from its original location to the breech tang to suit the aiming practice or eyesight of some owner. For more information on EVICKS

 

                     

 

                                                  Thanks to the owner for sharing.

                                                                             FB

Patchbox Sunday #4 George Young

                    Here are three patchbox rubbings taking from signed George Young rifles.  

                                                                  Click For larger Image

For more information click G. Young

Here is our Our First Patchbox Sunday

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George Young Rifle

 This George Young Rifle recently came out of a collection in West Virginia.  Thanks to the owner for allowing us to handle this rifle and post a few photos.  We depend on owners of these old rifles to have material to post here.  

                                                                       

Flintlock 40 Inch 40 Caliber Rifled Barrel

                                                                     Stocked In Maple

                                                    Nicely Engraved Pierced Brass Patchbox

                                                                                 

                                                               Signed G Young in Script

This rifle was built by George Young in Romney WV circa 1830s.   George Youngs shop was on lot 17.  This location is on Bolton & Main Street, where Voit's Garage is currently located.  For more information on George Young and his rifles see George Young

                                                                           FB