You have emailed me 3 times asking about contents of my VA gunsmiths books and each time I responded. This is another example. I have a LOT more in books but here is a summary:
Sutherland, Samuel (1812-1877). gun maker. 174 Main St., Richmond, Henrico County. 1840, ward 2, Richmond. 1850-60. In 1875 the firm of Samuel Sutherland & Son was active at the same address. 1851-61, Sutherland S., 174 Main St He advertised for a good gunsmith capable taking care of a jobbing shop [Philadelphia Inquirer, 13 November 1849]. 1869-77, “all kind of arms repaired” 1406 E. Main St. and 609 E. Broad St.; home in Henrico. Samuel was born about 1812 in England, a son of David and Mary Sutherland. He died on 10 June 1877 at age 65 in Richmond. In 1857 Sutherland offered for $1 a turkey call of his own design and manufacture, including shipping to any state [Richmond Whig, 15 December 1857; Census; Dirs.; Ancestry].
You can bet the shotgun was made in Europe -- Belgium or England--and branded for sale by Sutherland who ran one of the largest shops in the South--if not the largest. This bit about importation was true of many shops on the Eastern seaboard and at least a short distance inland. As time passed more & more shops which could afford a minimum order bought direct altho most shops were too small so they bought out of NY or Balto -- which accounts in part for the many ads from these huge importers in other newspapers.
