AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: James Wilson Everett on October 31, 2016, 06:03:19 AM

Title: Gunsmith List
Post by: James Wilson Everett on October 31, 2016, 06:03:19 AM

Here is a link to an alphabetical listing of gunsmiths.  I cannot vouch for the accuracy, but check it out.

https://www.earmi.it/USA%20Gunmakers/M.html

Jim

Title: Re: Gunsmith List
Post by: JCKelly on November 01, 2016, 12:06:21 AM

Great place to start.

I might have a little more information on Michiganders, in Michigan Gunsmiths from the 18th though the early 20th Centuries, by Dorr N. Wiltse, Jr and myself.

Title: Re: Gunsmith List
Post by: Seth Isaacson on November 02, 2016, 05:10:46 PM

Here is another free online resource:
https://archive.org/details/gunmaker00satt

Like the above database, it does not provide a lot of detail.

Title: Re: Gunsmith List
Post by: jim meili on August 19, 2019, 06:41:29 PM

Sir, I just came into possession of a half stock rifle marked on the bottom of the barrel P.N. Reitzel, Canton, Ohio. I do not know if he built the rife or just the barrel. You have P.M. Ritzel in your list which I think is the same maker but possibly you have the name incorrect. Not to be a pain but just thought I would let you know. Use your list quite a bit and thank you for having it available.
Jim Meili

Title: Re: Gunsmith List
Post by: JCKelly on August 23, 2019, 12:48:37 AM

Writers can be quite innovative when it comes to spelling an old gunmakers name. I'd go with what the guy wrote on his barrel.

My own favorite list, American Gunsmiths,, by Frank M. Sellers, 2nd edition 2008, says: Peter N. Reitzel, Canton, Ohio 1846 - 1850. Percussion 1/2 stock (Hutslar)"

If someone's gun is stamped "MICH" I likely have considerably more infomation, and some number more names, than you may find in more general publications. See Michigan Gunsmiths from the 18th through the early 20th Centuries, James Kelly and Dorr N. Wiltse, Jr. 

Or just email me.

Title: Re: Gunsmith List
Post by: Avlrc on August 23, 2019, 07:44:31 PM

Ohio Book volume III page 12
Peter N. Reitzelt 1824- Canton :Stubenville
1850 Peter Ritzell Blacksmith, born PA , wife & two children
1853 Directory P N Ritzel, Canton , gun barrels.
1859 Directory, Peter N. Reitzel,blacksmith. Walnut &5th streets, Canton OH
Gazetter (1859), P M Beitzel, Canton gunsmith
1860 ,Peter N. Ritzel, 36, Blacksmith born PA, wife 30, one child, 4. Resident in Canton ward 1.
The barrel of a Richard Beebe ( Springfield) rifle has the partial mark - N. REITZELT/CANTON, O.
"My feeling this is the correct spelling of the name".

I think I copied each spelling as it is in the book, looks like no one ever got his name spelled correct maybe not even Peter himself.

In 1880  he is in Elkhart Indiana.