Hampshire County Long Rifle: Search results for britton

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Thursday, April 18, 2024

William Britton

William Britton was born in Maryland in 1794. Worked at Harpers Ferry Arsenal. In the 1850 Hampshire County census, present-day Mineral, near Ft Ashby, we find Britton listed as a Gunsmith 56 years old, living with a family of 12; he was the only Britton on that record. Pictured in the (1) Gunsmiths of Maryland book on page 115 is a rifle by Martin Rizer. Martin was a gunsmith in Cumberland, Maryland, from the late 1700s till his death in 1815. This Martin Rizer rifle uses the same butt plate return, toe plate, and patch box finial as this Britton rifle. With these features on both rifles, William Britton most likely apprenticed with Martin Rizer II. If not, there was a close association between the two individuals. As far as we know, only half a dozen of Britton's rifles still exists.

Signed W. Britton

Click to enlarge.

The above rifle was made circa 1820. It was a flintlock and, during the percussion period, was converted to percussion using the original lockplate. It has deep relief Rococo carving and artistically engraved brass furnishings.

Signed, W. Britton

The above William Britton rifle was made circa 1840. The overall length is 57 inches & the 38-cal rifled barrel is 42 inches long. G Moyer, a lockmaker in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, signed the percussion lock.

Thanks to the owner of these rifles who allow us to photograph & post pictures of their rifles. Thanks to Aspenshadeltd for sharing photos with us. BMS & JDM

1 Gunsmith of Maryland by Daniel D Hartzler & James B. Whisker

Friday, March 8, 2013

WILLIAM BRITTON

WILLIAM BRITTON
Click on Pictures for Large View

Little seems to be known of William Britton. In "Gunsmiths of Maryland" by Hartzler & Whisker , He is listed as a Armorer at Harper's Ferry Arsenal. In the 1850 census he is living in Hampshire County, with a family by the name of Baker. If I am following the census taker correctly he was a mile or so down Dans Run Road from the stop light in present day Fort Ashby, Mineral County WV. He gives 1794 as his year of birth and Maryland his birthplace. His occupation listed as a Gunsmith. We have found no land records for Britton.

In William H Ansels article "Gunsmiths of Hampshire County" he states that in the "Manufactures Census" that the census taker indicated Britton was illiterate. William Britton was a skilled gunsmith and his rifles are above average. He did relief and incise carving. His best known relief work can be seen on page 173 in Bowers "Gunsmiths of Pen-MAR-VA 1790-1840. Many of his rifles were originally flintlock. We have seen a few original percussion.

More Pictures of This Rifle can bee seen on Page 154 of

"Virginia Gunsmiths and Allied Professions" by James B. Whisker.

After the 1850 census , we lose track of William Britton. We would appreciate any information that you may have on this excellent gunsmith.

This Rifle is Pictured on Page 64 of "Gunsmiths of West Virginia"

For more pictures of Brittons work see James B. Whiskers " Gunsmiths of West Virginia" Page 62.

Thanks to the collectors who allowed us to enjoy their rifles. We thank Mark Elliott for the top and bottom three photos. Here is a link to Mark Elliotts site to see more of his work.

http://www.markelliottva.com/wordpress/intro/

Saturday, October 24, 2015

GEORGE W GLAZE Part I

George W Glaze born 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 he served some kind of apprenticeship in Winchester Virginia. Speculation is with one of the Lauck Gunsmiths. Records indicate that he was in Hampshire County VA & Oldtown Maryland until 1827 when he went to Pickaway County Ohio, just after the Death of his father George, who moved there in 1808 . We do not know exactly how long he stayed in Ohio. The 1840 Census puts him in Hendricks IN. George remained there until his death in 1862.

The following rifle by George W Glaze is an exquisite rifle in pristine condition. As you will see with this rifle and subsequent photos that follow, his pieces are works of art. They are as good as any of the masters working in the Golden Age period and Glaze doesn't take a back seat to anyone. Take special note of this particular piece that 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 so as 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 it's unaltered state ( attic condition) , with only a minimal amount of work done to conserve it. This is the first time any photos of this rifle has been shared publicly. So get a beverage of your choice and sit back and enjoy the following presentation.

Signed in Silver Inlay on Barrel

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

Barrel 35" long.

For everyone that is interested in schools of long rifles, and are students of them. Here are some elements that we think you will enjoy. The architecture is early Hampshire County "Golden Age" at its best. The relief carving has a wonderful blend of the Cumberland Maryland School as well as the Winchester Virginia School. The butt plate return is definitely Winchester School, as is the silver hunter star and wire inlay. The brass under cheek piece inlay using silver headed round nails are found in the Cumberland School. The heart inlay at the wrist is held in place with a silver rectangular head nail is found in the Winchester and Hampshire County Schools. The wrist carving is of the Winchester and Hampshire Schools. The blending of the schools result in a superb presentation piece.

This lock made & signed by Glaze is one of a kind that 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 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 patchbox is one of our favorite design and is found on other rifles by the great masters of this area, Frederick Sheetz and William Britton.

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.