Help with Three Gunsmiths

[Fullstock longrifle]

A friend asked me if I had any information on gunsmiths G. F. Belaze, W. Strain and Henry J. Hicks.  Hicks was supposed to be a gunsmith in the Indiana area.  Any information on any of these three would be appreciated.  Sorry, no pictures at this time, but if I get some I'll put them up. Thanks.

Frank

[John C IND]

Can't help with information, but I have a W Strain octagon barrel on a halfstocked piece of wood.  The barrel has obviously been repurposed from a full stocked gun.  It now has an underrib, but there are several plugged dovetails along the length of the bottom of the barrel.  The gun came to me in that condition.  I got the gun in Indiana (Valparaiso) and it's still in Indiana.