Author Topic: Tobias Snider Rifle-Bedford Co.  (Read 4837 times)

Offline Nate McKenzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1019
  • Luzerne Co. PA
    • Nathan McKenzie Gunmaker
Tobias Snider Rifle-Bedford Co.
« on: February 20, 2013, 11:40:22 PM »
I acquired this nice old rifle the other day. So far as I can tell it has had no restoration. I believe it to be from Huntingdon Co., Pa. Initials on the barrel are T*S  or maybe T*L.  These same script initials are shown on a Huntingdon Co. rifle on page 53 of Edith Coopers book- The Kentucky Rifle and Me.
Hopefully one of you can identify this maker and post it.
Barrel- slightly tapered .97"- .91" and 42 1/16" long. Deeply rifled- 8 grooves. About 38cal.
Butt width- .99",  height-  3.13".
LOP- 13 1/8"



































Thanks for looking.
« Last Edit: March 01, 2013, 05:32:59 AM by Nate McKenzie »

Offline Mark Tyler

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 302
Re: Rifle- Huntindon Co. ?
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2013, 12:12:21 AM »
Tobias Snider (1830-1916).

Brother of Jacob Snider.

1848-1849, Hollidaysburg, Blair County
1850-1855, Liberty Township, Bedford County
1857-1884, Saxton, Bedford County

[Gunsmiths of Bedford, Huntingdon, Fulton, & Somerset Counties by James B. Whisker and Larry Yantz; Track of the Wolf, 2001]

Tobias Snider was born in Hopewell township. His maternal grandfather, Mr. Helsel, was an early settler on Dunning's creek. His father, Abraham Snider, came from Adams county when young, and located in the same settlement. Tobias was one of ten children. He settled in Woodcock valley, where he married Susan, daughter of George F. Steel. While living in the valley he worked at gunsmithing. In 1863-4 he was in the government employ at Washington. In 1867 he came to Saxton, kept the Burnet house, and was contractor on the railroad. In 1869 Mr. Snider engaged in general mercantile business as one of the firm of Snider, Berkstresser & Rhodes. In 1870-1 he carried on the business alone. For the last six years he has been engaged in the lumber and bark trade.

[History of Bedford, Somerset and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania; Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1884]
« Last Edit: February 21, 2013, 12:21:54 AM by Mark Tyler »

Offline JTR

  • member 2
  • Hero Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4351
Re: Rifle- Huntindon Co. ?
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2013, 01:53:20 AM »
Nice find Nate!
Looks like a sweet little rifle.

John
John Robbins

Offline rich pierce

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 19527
Re: Rifle- Huntindon Co. ?
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2013, 08:53:49 PM »
Wonderful to find one in original condition like that!
Andover, Vermont

Offline Sequatchie Rifle

  • Global Moderator
  • Hero Member
  • *
  • Posts: 978
  • F. & A.M. Helion #1; 3rd SFG(ABN)
Re: Rifle- Huntindon Co. ?
« Reply #4 on: February 25, 2013, 06:00:59 AM »
Great condition!  Very nice patchbox and thimbles. Thanks for sharing it.
"We fight not for glory, nor riches nor honors, but for freedom alone, which no good man gives up except with his life.” Declaration of Arbroath, 1320

Offline Nate McKenzie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1019
  • Luzerne Co. PA
    • Nathan McKenzie Gunmaker
Re: Tobias Snider Rifle-Bedford Co.
« Reply #5 on: March 01, 2013, 05:34:59 AM »
Thank you all.

Offline Shreckmeister

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3808
  • GGGG Grandpa Schrecengost Gunsmith/Miller
Re: Tobias Snider Rifle-Bedford Co.
« Reply #6 on: March 01, 2013, 05:59:07 PM »
That's a nice find Nate.  The condition and color are great.  Nice engraving too. 
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Majorjoel

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3138
Re: Tobias Snider Rifle-Bedford Co.
« Reply #7 on: March 01, 2013, 07:04:53 PM »
Aint it great to find out who a pair of barrel initials stand for!! A sweet longrifle Nate!
Joel Hall

Offline Buck

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 921
  • A.F.A.M. # 934, Trinity Commandry #80
Re: Tobias Snider Rifle-Bedford Co.
« Reply #8 on: March 01, 2013, 07:48:59 PM »
Great condition.