The workmanship on this church chandelier from Pennsylvania is of an indifferent quality although the arrangement of its arms is unique. Lamp in the collection of Sturbridge Village
Front page of "Observations on Smoky Chimneys, Their Causes and Cure; with Considerations on Fuel and Stoves. Illustrated with Proper Figures." written by Benjamin Franklin, LL. D.
'LONDON: Printed for I. and J. TAYLOR, at the Architectural Library, No.56, opposite Great Turnstile, Holbora. M.DCC.XCII."
Provenance
Photographs from the estate of Henry Kauffman. Colonial Williamsburg Phtograph. This picture may be syndicated or copied for publication. Not to be used for advertising without permission.
Rifle with flint lock, full stock of walnut, brass mountings, octagonal barrel with Jacob Kraft engraved in script letters on the top facet of the barrel. Plate 224, page 278 of Henry Kauffman's "Pennsylvania - Kentucky Rifle".
Rifle with flink lock, full stock of curly maple, brass mountings, and octagonal-to-round barrel 48 inches long with J. Haeffer engraved in block letters on the top facet of the barrel.
Rifle with percussion lock, full stock of curly maple, brass mountings, set triggers, octagonal barrel 36 inches long with Dunmeyer on the top facet of the barrel. Because of the scarcity of signed Dunmeyer rifles it is impossible to determine which of the three gunsmiths by that name made this rifle.
Rifle with percussion lock, curly maple half stock, brass mountings, set triggers, silver inlays, octagonal barrel 36 inches long with Sam. Meir on top facet of the barrel. The ferrule on the forestock is made of pewter, as many were half-stocked guns. The trigger guard suggests late nineteenth century production. While Meir's shop was in Somerset, it was located on Main Street.
Rifle with percussion lock, curly maple stock, brass mountings, octagonal barrel 40 inches long with S. H. Shillito on top facet of barrel. The pattern of the patch box is the typical one used by the gunsmiths of Franklin County in the first half of the nineteenth century. The bow of the trigger guard is unusually large for one trigger.
The form of the stock, the style of the carving, and the shape of the lock-bolt plate on this rifle was used by the gunsmiths in Somerset County in the last half of the nineteenth century. This one was made by one of the Dunmeyers.
Rifle with percussion lock, half stock of curly maple, patch box of brass, butt plate, trigger guard, and inlays of silver, set triggers, octagonal barrel 40 inches long with S.G. Schreckengost deeply engraved on the top facet of the barrel. This rifle is a typical Schreckengost product.
Rifle with back action percussion lock, curly maple half stock, brass mountings, set triggers, elliptical patch box, octagonal barrel 36 inches long with G. W. C. on top facet of the barrel.
Rifle with percussion lock, full stock of curly maple, brass mountings, silver inlays, octagonal barrel 36 inches long signed on the top facet J. Long. The lace effect in the side plates of the patch box and eagle finial make this a very attractive product of Long. The fine curl of the wood and the silver inlays, including a fish and an eagle, suggest that this is one of his masterpieces.
Flinklock rifle, maple full stock, brass mounted, silver inlay on the cheek side, octagonal barrel 48 inches long. Although this rifle has an unusually long barrel its most unusual feature is the signature of the maker (G. Weiker) on the lid of the patch box. On a few of his products he is known to have included the price on the lid of the patch box which was usually $15. Weiker was an expert in the technique of incised carving. His rifles are rare and usually command a high price because of his novel method of advertising.
Rifle with percussion lock marked W. B., full stock of curly maple, brass mountings, silver inlays, and octagonal barrel marked W. B. for William Border. The curl in this stock is obviously an unsual example of wood selection. The carved pattern on the cheek side is different from the traditional style of the Bedford Gunsmiths.
Rifle with percussion lock, full stock of curly maple, brass mountings, silver inlays, octagonal barrel 42 inches long marked J. Johnston on the top facet of the barrel in script letters. The form and ornamentation of this gun is typical of the time it was made. The inlays are attractively arranged and reflect the good taste of the maker in decorating his products.
