In "Worcester County Gunsmiths 1760-1830"...by Thompson "American Society of Arms Collectors" bulletin #44...He says, Martin Smith was born in Shrewsbury, MA 1797..Apprenticed to Silas Allen JR, at 14 or 15, in 1811 or 1812.until abt. 1817..Went to Greenfield MA. On 9/13/1819 he advertises in the Franklin Hearld..He will be manufacturing rifles,muskets,fowling pieces and repair old guns, in Greenfield..Martin Smith also had a small contract with "American Fur Company in Canada", according to their records..Thompson states that Smiths guns were well made good wood to metal fit, similar to those of his teacher Silas Allen JR..He used the Horsehead Patchbox, and used silver wire behind the barrel tang and around the escutcheons..According to Thompson the total production of Smith's guns may be few as 100 since his working span was abt.17 years..In 1827 -28 he built a home at 497 Main st, Greenfield..There was a small building on this lot that may have been his gunshop..Later Smith bought the corner lot on Hope and Main St. There he built a larger shop..According to Thompson's article Martin Smith sold that shop in 1836 and he could find no trace of him after that...
