AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: FinnBoy49 on December 27, 2023, 05:58:10 PM

Title: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: FinnBoy49 on December 27, 2023, 05:58:10 PM
I have a 36 caliber percussion rifle. I know nothing about the maker but his initials on the barrel are J.E.N. The rifle was purchased at an Antique store in Miamitown, Ohio in the 60s. Would anyone have any info on this gunmaker?
 Hopefully the photo of the initials will upload.

(https://i.ibb.co/P4H6qNS/IMG-2033.jpg) (https://ibb.co/L67ZV8G)
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: Avlrc on December 27, 2023, 07:35:15 PM
 Need photos of your rifle.   But there was a James Edward Nelson from Hampshire County WV.  1850s. 

Here is a signature from one of his rifles that I own.

(https://i.ibb.co/6DMKL3n/20231227-112730.jpg) (https://ibb.co/frg3Lh1)

(https://i.ibb.co/wNgxpvK/20231227-112836.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gM9BtnD)
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: homerifle on December 27, 2023, 09:35:03 PM
More pictures of the gun would be a huge help.
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: JTR on December 27, 2023, 09:58:43 PM
The two signatures look like the same guy to me.
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: Avlrc on December 27, 2023, 10:38:32 PM
Quote from: JTR on December 27, 2023, 09:58:43 PM
The two signatures look like the same guy to me.

Thats what I thought. I hope the OP posts photos to know for sure. 

More info on Nelson. 

https://hampshirecountylongrifle.blogspot.com/2014/09/james-edward-nelson-gunsmith.html
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: FinnBoy49 on December 27, 2023, 11:58:26 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/xmgCVdW/IMG-2029.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yhkfL7t)

(https://i.ibb.co/zHbL4G6/IMG-2038.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VpDhq2w)

(https://i.ibb.co/Vp0zCym/IMG-2031.jpg) (https://ibb.co/WpNMz9t)

(https://i.ibb.co/NTr64C2/IMG-2040.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y0X7rQB)

(https://i.ibb.co/yFpFzJr/IMG-2037.jpg) (https://ibb.co/s9C9TrZ)

(https://i.ibb.co/KNM9ksr/IMG-2036.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TKVHS0g)
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: Avlrc on December 28, 2023, 12:28:32 AM
Great, nice find.   I believe this makes about five that we are now aware of. Thanks for posting.  If you ever want to get rid of it, PM me.
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: homerifle on December 28, 2023, 06:47:27 PM
Thanks for the additional pictures. That confirmed it as a James Edward Nelson a Hampshire County West Virginia/Virginia rifle. Is it a half or full stock gun?
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: Daryl on December 28, 2023, 08:31:51 PM
Same letters, but? Perhaps he was drunk when he (if it was him) scribbled the top one.
They are not even remotely close to the same skill level.
Title: Re: Gun Maker, Ohio/Indiana
Post by: JTR on December 28, 2023, 09:03:45 PM
Daryl. I wouldn't worry about the difference too much.
A lot of the barrel signed guns have varying signatures from the same maker.
Take for instance Jacob Dickert, and these four signed barrels.

(https://i.ibb.co/Hx1FcML/J-Dickert-Large.jpg) (https://ibb.co/F0NxQfk)

(https://i.ibb.co/yP7ssRR/DSC06189-1-Large.jpg) (https://ibb.co/GpNPPJJ)

(https://i.ibb.co/tPmGxt2/Dickert-Name.jpg) (https://ibb.co/S7sjd8m)

(https://i.ibb.co/7W4pVJv/Dickert-Signature.jpg) (https://ibb.co/58FjvWT)