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Author Topic: John Sweeney rifle  (Read 3112 times)

Offline Old Ford2

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John Sweeney rifle
« on: July 30, 2011, 02:49:33 PM »
Hey guys, I need some help in getting some information on a beautiful rifle built by a blacksmith / gunsmith John Sweeney apparently from Geneva, N.Y. about 1840.
It has seven ( 7 ) ( Mason ? ) stars about the cheek piece.
I posted an inquiry about this rifle a few weeks back, but I may have referred to Joseph Sweeney. wrong fellow, he worked in the 1870's 1880's.
One fellow here says the rifle having the seven Mason stars, that it was a rifle built by a Mason for a Mason?
Could anybody add some inteligience to my quest.
Old Ford
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Offline Buck

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Re: John Sweeney rifle
« Reply #1 on: July 30, 2011, 04:38:52 PM »
Old Ford,
Do you have pictures?
Buck
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Offline JCKelly

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Re: John Sweeney rifle
« Reply #2 on: July 30, 2011, 05:31:27 PM »
The late H.J. Swinney's five volume set on New York makers says: SWEENEY, JOHN Geneva "Starkey, Bloomfield, Dundee" ca. 1820-24 in Geneva, later in others.
 His obituary . . . (1886). born in the township of Severn, Ontario County, NY. June 19, 1804 . . .learned the gunsmiths's trade in Genevea and afterwards ran a gun shop in Starkey, Bloomfield and Dundee. In 1833 he removed to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Later, 1838, became an innkeeper & gained a great reputation at that calling. . . He must have been apprenticed to Castle Southerland about 1820. Since Southerland moved to Ann Arbor before 1842 - possibly some time before - his move may somehow be associated with John jSweeney's being there"

So, Mr. Old Ford, I thank you for inspiring me to look this up. Seems like I might have an addition to make to my revised second edition of Michigan Gunsmiths, currently in progress.
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Offline Buck

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Re: John Sweeney rifle
« Reply #3 on: July 30, 2011, 07:27:18 PM »
Old Ford 2,
If you post some pictures somebody will be able to help you. Seven Stars are significant of Seven Stars, are there any other inlays on the rifle incorporated with the Stars?
Buck
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Offline Old Ford2

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Re: John Sweeney rifle
« Reply #4 on: July 30, 2011, 08:29:59 PM »
I will get some pictures and post them as soon as I get the gun.
The gun is just a few miles away.
It is in really great shape, it appears as if it was made a few years ago, in reality about a hundred and seventy?????
It is a real pleasure to hold and handle something so well preserved, I wish I was as well preserved!
All the best, get back to you shortly.

Old Ford
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Never surrender, always take a few with you.
Let the Lord pick the good from the bad!
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