There are many Bedford style longrifles signed "J.S". It has always been presumed that this is Jacob. I understand there exists a "few" with full barrrel signatures, signed Jacob. There is one known example of one signed " John Stoudenour" and dated. It is of similar quality to the most appreciated "JS" guns. I have wondered whether Jacob and John, at some time worked , togther and signed "THEIR" guns "JS". Perhaps Jacob made the gun signed "John" and placed his name ( "John") there as a presentation piece. If John was a maker why is only one gun known to exist and it be of such high artistic merit. I have reached out to known relatives but had no success in resolving these questions. Amongst the many guns pictured in books there are two distinct styles of decoration: #1 Q-finial patch boxes 2. Patchboxes with Multiple "cut outs" with inlays within the cut outs . The signed "John" has cut outs and inlays. Perhaos John was not a maker...perhaps an apprentice of sorts to Jacob. What all this means remains to be proven.
Thoughts welcome.
Hurricane
