Nathaniel Oates , born Hampshire County WV/VA 1824 Died 1911 in Missouri at 87 years of age. Nathaniel was in Hampshire County until 1852 When he went West to MO. In the 1850 Census he is living in the same house as John W Rinehart another Hampshire County Gunsmith born 1826.In this 1850 census John W Rinehart is listed as a gunsmith and Nathaniel as a laborer.In all of the census from 1860-1910 while Oates is in MO he is not listed as a gunsmith, but as farmer..In James B. Whiskers , Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Missouri, he has a N. Oatis gunsmith.1860, Little Osage, Vernon County ,(Dir.). John W Rinehart also left Hampshire County in about 1852 and can be found in the 1860,1870 & the 1880 census in Lexington,Lafayette Missouri. Nathaniel may have apprentice with John W Rinehart.John Rinehart learned the trade from his older brother James Rinehart born 1811 died 1883.. James probably learned the trade from Zebulon Sheetz and in 1835 James bought land from Zebulon Sheetz. Probably the gunshop also. Zebulon left hampshire County at near that same time. Zebulon settled in Indiana to become one of the founding fathers of Monticello IN. In 1848 John bought land from James, probably the gunshop also. This N. Oates rifle has a 41 inch barrel and is one of the more graceful rifles known to be made by Nathaniel Oates.
=====================================================================
Comments:
This rifle provides a good contrast between the two best known makers of the Hampshire County School as to similarities and differences in building. This gun is likely somewhat late as it has some silver inlaid and it has the second, small patchbox beneath the cheek rest. The Oates signature is quite a bonus, as is the finley striped maple stock. A very attractive piece and one which anyone would be proud to own. Wonder when the building crowd will begin to pick up on the fine qualities of this rather rare school?
