AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: tddeangelo on February 07, 2022, 05:51:29 AM

Title: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: tddeangelo on February 07, 2022, 05:51:29 AM

At the Lewisburg show, I saw a very catchy (to my eye) Berks rifle signed "S. Miller".

Not finding much, but I'm sure I'm looking in the wrong places. Any suggestions on further info on this smith and his work?

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: Mark Tyler on February 07, 2022, 05:54:14 AM

Simon Miller: https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=46216.0 (https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=46216.0)

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: tddeangelo on February 07, 2022, 06:02:46 AM

Interesting he's listed as Upper Susquehanna. The gun didn't appear to me to be such, and it was displayed as being from Berks.

Thank you for the link. It's a good start. :)

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: Mark Tyler on February 07, 2022, 06:16:27 AM

Simon worked as a gunsmith in Hamburg, Berks County, Pennsylvania.

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: tddeangelo on February 07, 2022, 06:25:03 AM

Now that has my interest.

I live in Hamburg.

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: TN Longhunter on February 12, 2022, 06:24:42 PM

Took me a day or so to get around to this.  Below are photos of a S Miller that I am the current caretaker for.  Very nice gun.  Lock likely not original as there is some repair work on the wood around the lock.

(https://i.ibb.co/Csbh4gX/S-Miller.jpg) (https://ibb.co/0VCh1TW)

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: JTR on February 12, 2022, 07:27:13 PM

S. Miller was extremely prolific and most all of his guns that I've seen are similar to the one above with carving, engraving, good workmanship and signed on the barrel. He must have been a really popular guy in town!

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: Buck on February 13, 2022, 04:38:29 AM

Agreed - that's a great rifle.

Buck

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: mr. no gold on February 13, 2022, 06:22:50 AM

Boys, you are right! That is a great S, Miller rifle. It has a nice long barrel, a slightly different patch box and I could swear that the caving is raised. Only Miller gun I have seen with relief carving. He mostly stuck to incised designs, but he always seemed to carve his guns.Thank for showing it off here, TN.
Dick

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: tddeangelo on February 15, 2022, 04:07:08 AM

Thank you all for the info!

Are the keys (instead of pins) in that rifle original?

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: JTR on February 15, 2022, 04:56:33 AM

He generally used keys originally.

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: TN Longhunter on February 16, 2022, 02:11:33 AM

I have had some requests for more photos on my S Miller rifle. 
Some details:
6 lbs 8 oz
42" barrel, .54 cal. Smooth
58" OAL
The keys appear to be original, no evidence of replacement of pins.

(https://i.ibb.co/6tF06PB/S-Miller-butt.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4SpRBTd)

(https://i.ibb.co/7YYBsT7/S-Miller-Key.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8KKG1RF)

(https://i.ibb.co/DbZv5Lv/S-Miller-Lock.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BP9QqwQ)

(https://i.ibb.co/qpvcjVy/S-Miller-Ramrod-Cover.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kXtwBvH)

(https://i.ibb.co/vLDXPvZ/S-Miller-Sideplate.jpg) (https://ibb.co/frQDpG4)

(https://i.ibb.co/4S9SRhs/S-Miller-Signature.jpg) (https://ibb.co/hdhdF3X)

Title: Re: S. Miller...Berks gunsmith?
Post by: Buck on February 16, 2022, 01:13:54 PM

Great signature -

Buck