AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Dave Tercek on January 30, 2019, 02:21:14 AM

Title: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Dave Tercek on January 30, 2019, 02:21:14 AM

Although this is my first post here, I have been reviewing the forum. This place is impressive. There is ton of information and knowledge that is generously shared.
Thank you.
I had an opportunity to by this rifle. What really helped make my decision was that the gun was made in a shop in an area were I hunt and fish, only 15 miles from my home.
From what I understand the maker was Jonathan Nicholas Matthesiee.
I am embarrassed to even try to describe it to you guys. I'm sure you'll educate me. Here it is.  Thanks again,  Dave
(https://i.ibb.co/0f0Pd6G/IMG-0839.jpg) (https://ibb.co/9qxRC1r)

(https://i.ibb.co/Xy4bZRy/IMG-0841.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k3yxgC3)

(https://i.ibb.co/5GZ0WtG/IMG-0843.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Qp0gFzp)

(https://i.ibb.co/hBw06hq/IMG-0844.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YcwgCYr)

(https://i.ibb.co/6sR4DVT/IMG-0848.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WKWcBqM)

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Mike Brooks on January 30, 2019, 02:29:10 AM

Is it a Jamestown NC rifle?

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Dave Tercek on January 30, 2019, 02:46:51 AM

I took it to an antique arms show this past weekend. From what I was told it was made be "J N M" Jonathan Nicholas Matthesiee.  He made guns in Pavia, Bedford County PA.  He was a little eccentric, his guns were a mixture of Bedford/Huntington/Matthesiee style.

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: dogbest on January 30, 2019, 03:06:52 AM

Nice gun that you can be proud of!

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Shreckmeister on January 30, 2019, 03:20:19 AM

 I saw it from a distance at the show and wanted to take a look at it but you had a crowd around you at the time. That’s a great rifle. Congratulations on your first long rifle. You picked a nice one. Where did you find it?

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Bigmon on January 30, 2019, 03:46:20 AM

what show were you at with hat rifle?

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Dave Tercek on January 30, 2019, 04:21:56 AM

Shreckmeister,  I wish I could have met you. The people at the show could not have been more friendly. I didn't know what to expect . I thought, being a small show ,and me not knowing anyone involved, I would be in and out of there in a short time. I was there for an hour. If my wife wasn't waiting in the car four hours would have been better. It reminded me of the way gun shows were 20 years ago.
  I'll have the gun at the 18th Century Artisans Show in Lewisburg this week end. Maybe I'll see you there.

Bigmon, It was the Bushy Run Historic Arms show in Claridge PA, near Pittsburgh  .  The guys did a great job.

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: jdm on January 30, 2019, 04:22:56 AM

Dave , Welcome . I'm sure You will enjoy the journey.
Nice rifle ! Most people start lower and work their way up to that .

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Chris_B on January 30, 2019, 07:32:05 AM

What a great start. Congratulations for that nice find and thanks for sharing the pics!

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: wormey on January 30, 2019, 06:49:48 PM

Well Dave, now you are infected!  It will continue to spread and there is no cure.  Treatment consists of buying another one, then another one, you get the picture!  Welcome to the club and enjoy your journey.  Wormey

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on January 30, 2019, 08:10:20 PM

Comment on photography...

I'm no expert, but I get clearer, cleaner images when I don't use a solid white backdrop, and don't shoot into the light of a window.  Your camera underexposed the item you wanted to shoot, and you lost clarity and detail.

Neat rifle though.

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Shreckmeister on January 30, 2019, 08:18:56 PM

I find a gray non-reflective material to be the best backdrop

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Howard on January 31, 2019, 02:14:14 AM

Nice rifle. Looks like a keeper !!

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Mike Brooks on January 31, 2019, 02:32:15 AM

Shows you what I know about Bedford rifles! ;D

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: mbriggs on January 31, 2019, 10:19:58 PM

Mike,
You need to actually read some of those books you bought from me, not just look at the photos. (laughs)

I hope you are doing well.  I recently purchased three great Jamestown rifles, including the only known pill lock by William Lamb and the earliest known example by Thaddeus Gardner. 

Yesterday, I was consigned a whole collection of Salem School rifles, the subject of my next book.

Thanks,

Michael Briggs

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Shreckmeister on February 18, 2019, 08:57:20 PM

This guy is hard to track down, but in looking for him I found John G. Mathesie, gunsmith in Indiana state census of 1880.


(https://i.ibb.co/Ws9VyW3/Mathesie-1880-census.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LvwNtzP)

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: Dave Tercek on February 18, 2019, 09:53:50 PM

Interesting,  I've tried to find information about Matthesiee on the net. It seems like you spin your wheels , get a headache and crossed eyes then something pops up, but don't expect to find it the next day.
From what I've found (James Whisker's book) and other places, Jonathan Nicholas Mattheseei died in1880 in Bedford County PA. He is buried near Beaverdam Rd. in Bedford County. I found some more info that I have to verify. For a later date.   Maybe J.G.M. was a son.
Thanks,  Dave

Title: Re: My first antique Longrifle
Post by: ole442 on February 24, 2019, 12:28:48 PM

Dave:

That is a very nice rifle you have there. Very nice for your first! Enjoy!