A nice way to begin a day...

[nord]

Mail rec'd this morning...


My name is Teresa Crego, and I have a bit of an odd question for you.  I’m working on my family tree and discovered that Jesse Wood (born 1805) is my 4th Great Grandfather.  I saw on the Guilford County, NC census records that he was listed as a gunstocker, so I started googling to see if I could find any examples of his craft.  Google worked and directed me to your postings on the Long Rifle Form from January 2009.  Believe me…it made my day!

I was wondering if you still had the pistol with the star or the rifle crafted by J.M. Wood that you mention in your posts, and if you would share how you came across them because I would like to try to find more examples.    It’s amazing to see the pictures that you posted, so thank you for sharing.  Also, do you have any other information about the Wood gunsmiths?  I checked my local library for the books you mention in the pistol forum (American Gunsmiths and Small Arms Makers) and they do not have either, but I’m really curious to see if they have a specific mark or if they signed their work with their name all of the time.

 

Thank you in advance,

Teresa Crego


Teresa,

What a wonderful way to begin my day! Thank you.

Allow me to clear up something about the ALR forum if you will... My name appears on all displays due to the fact that I administrate the Library & Museum. Candidates for exhibit are forwarded to me by owners, then subject to review, and finally upon approval added to the Library & Museum. Owners are strictly anonymous with very few exceptions. Even I don't know ownership for the most part.

I'll place your mail on the discussion board at ALR and I'll also forward it to a gentleman who probably has forgotten more this morning than I ever knew about our history, our artisans, and the beautiful products that they produced.

Please stay in touch as I'll be more than happy to assist you in any way possible.

Bruce Miller (Nord)

[Mark Tyler]

links:

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=2817.0
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=2809.0

[mbriggs]

Teresa,
Just to be clear, there were several men last named Wood who worked as gunsmiths in Guilford County, N.C. in the Jamestown School.

1. J.M. Wood first name was James.  In the 1850 Census he is listed as age 31.

2. James Wood is listed in 1870 Census as a gunsmith, age 39.

3. Jesse Wood is listed in the 1850 Census as a gunstocker, age 45.

4. Milton Wood is listed in the 1850 Census as a gunsmith working with Evan Johnson.

I have owned and sold several J. M. Wood rifles including what is in my opinion his best Longrifle which I still own.

Here are a few pictures of it.

   

















This J.M. Wood signed longrifle has long been one of my favorites.  It has a beautiful tiger-striped maple stock, very nice engraved inlays and is in wonderful original condition.

If you are interested in purchasing a J. M. Wood Longrifle in the future please let me know as I do know where I can find one for you.

I have never seen or heard of a Jamestown Longrifle signed by Jesse Wood.  That does not mean one does not exist but I have been collecting and studying them for over 30 years.

Michael

[Dennis Glazener]

Just look at the 5 pointed star on Michael's rifle, coincidence? Maybe meant something to the family and whoever J. Wood may have the same reason, who knows!
Dennis

[alyce-james]

Excellent styled rifle. The engraving is the rifles high point for me. The star inlay in the cheek area is attractive also. Thanks for the posting. AJ