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General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: hurricane on February 25, 2018, 10:39:27 PM

Title: Bruce Miller ALR Library Master Gunsmith: Stoeffle Smith
Post by: hurricane on February 25, 2018, 10:39:27 PM

Here is the URL:

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=48179.0

Title: Re: Bruce Miller ALR Library Master Gunsmith: Stoeffle Smith
Post by: Bill Paton on February 26, 2018, 02:26:59 AM

Messages - Eric Kettenburg
Pages: [1] 2 3 ... 34
1
Smith, Stoeffle / Re: Exhibit Gun #1
« on: Today at 11:32:04 AM »
Has anyone dug up some solid information on this guy?  His style is fairly unique with a mix of some Northampton-ish design, a good slug if Berks and a little bit of various 'else.'

I see him variously referenced as being in Berks, York and Lancaster Co.  I think the very common 'Smith' surname certainly complicates tracking.

There was a Christopher Smith up in the Albany/Greenwich area of Berks listed on the 1790-182 era censuses, but I'm a bit doubtful that a "Christopher" would reference himself as 'Stoffel.'

The Septennial census has a Stophel Smith in Windsor twp, Berks Co., but I'm unclear of the year and I'm not really clear purpose or actual dating of the Septennial Census.  It does list him as a locksmith, though, which sure makes sense.

Also, I've seen reference to him being born in Scotland, but no specification of where that information is coming from.

Very interesting work!

Title: Re: Bruce Miller ALR Library Master Gunsmith: Stoeffle Smith
Post by: Bill Paton on February 26, 2018, 03:26:48 AM

Smith, Stoeffle / Re: Exhibit Gun #1
« on: Today at 12:16:47 PM »
Eric, I think Stoffel (and its variants) is short for “Cristofel” and its variants, all related to “Christopher”. I think some of his guns are signed something like “Schmidt” as well as with other spellings for his first name, making me think that almost any variation of his name could be in a census. One of his guns is dated 1794, so your Berks listing fits. With the spellings of his name, Scotland seems like a bit of a stretch.
Bill Paton
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4
Smith, Stoeffle / Re: Exhibit Gun #1
« on: Today at 11:59:58 AM »
 Thanks for posting this, Hurricane. Is the gun signed, and if so, how? I know of 3 swivel rifles by him, and they are very crudely signed on the side plates. Each is dated: 1806, 1812, and 1815. At least one has three “crowns” or  “pumpkins” near the signature. Do you or any other readers know where to find an article published in the last 10 years or more about those “pumpkins”. I have been looking for it and have had no luck so far. Also, if anyone knows whom I might contact to examine the two later dated S Smith swivels, I would like to study them for my ongoing Kentucky Double Rifle research.

Bill Paton

Title: Re: Bruce Miller ALR Library Master Gunsmith: Stoeffle Smith
Post by: louieparker on February 26, 2018, 03:30:27 AM

Anyone having trouble opening this besides me ???   LP       

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=48179.0

Title: Re: Bruce Miller ALR Library Master Gunsmith: Stoeffle Smith
Post by: D. Taylor Sapergia on February 26, 2018, 04:07:33 AM

I cannot open it.

Title: Re: Bruce Miller ALR Library Master Gunsmith: Stoeffle Smith
Post by: sqrldog on February 26, 2018, 04:28:47 AM

Using Chrome on a little Droid opened no problem fir me. Tim

Title: Re: Bruce Miller ALR Library Master Gunsmith: Stoeffle Smith
Post by: JTR on February 26, 2018, 05:45:08 AM

Won't open for me either.

Title: Re: Bruce Miller ALR Library Master Gunsmith: Stoeffle Smith
Post by: Ky-Flinter on February 26, 2018, 07:16:54 AM

Opened right up and displayed the pictures.  I'm using Windows 8.1 and Chrome.

-Ron