Bedford and Somerset County, Pennsylvania gunsmiths

[Dietle]

I spent the last 14 months trying to expand what is known about the old-time gunsmiths of Somerset and Bedford counties, Pennsylvania. I have information on 160 individuals, including interactive maps of where many of them lived, and are buried. I also have photos of 35 long rifles they produced. I keep the information on my website, for editing convenience. Please let me know if you find mistakes or have something to add: http://korns.org/gunsmiths/gunsmith-index.html

[wmrike]

Thanks for this great resource.  I have a pile of Bedford parts that have been hanging fire for, well, way too long.  This might push me over the edge.

[Brent English]

Wow! What a labor of love.  Well done sir !

[James Wilson Everett]

The folks at the Somerset Historical Center have in their collection the rifling bench used by the Somerset gunsmiths Daniel Border, Jonathan Dunmeyer, and Charles Knupp.  Also, they have at least one Knupp rifle in their collection.

Jim

[Dave Tercek]

Thank you very much !   Great information.  Great guns.

[Tim Crosby]

 Thank you for the link, there are some good Pix in there.

   Tim C.

[rennikselum]

Thank you for sharing!

Jeff

[Dietle]

James Wilson Everett, Thanks for the tips on the rifling bench. I'll ask Mark to see it the next time I drop by the museum. I have photos of the rifles, but didn't know about the bench.

[FALout]

I only did a cursory look and what I saw was real nice, I know that had to take some work to put together.  I’ll be going back to do some reading and admiring of the pictures.
Bob

[James Wilson Everett]

Here is an overall photo of the Border/Dunmeyer/Knupp rifling bench.  It is built on just a half log rather than squared lumber.  I have a lot more detailed photos if you wish to see them.  The rifling guide is stuck (cast lead plug inside the old rifle barrel used as the guide).  I have attempted to convince the head curator to allow me to try to free the stuck guide - but the answer for now is no.  Here is a link showing more info. 

https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=27878.msg265860#msg265860

Jim

[Dietle]

James Wilson Everett, Can I use your photos of the rifle bench on my korns.org gunsmithing project? If the answer is yes, do you want the photos to be posted anonymously, or with photo credits? Regards, Lannie Dietle

[Bob D]

James...I have Photos of at least seven Dunmire rifles and one C. M. Knupp rifle that  show the exact same mussel  markings as shown in the attached photo.   Would they have been made by tooling that was used to rifle the bore?  If any other of you have an opinion feel free to contribute.     ( Hope the image comes through, I am Computer challenged)

     

 

[James Wilson Everett]

Guys,

Here is a photo of the muzzle end of the rifle at the Somerset Historical Society.  It looks like Knupp liked to use this decoration.  This decoration was not done using the rifling machine, Knupp used the typical 7 groove rifling pattern, note that there are 8 dimples to match the octagon barrel.

Jim

[OLUT]

I spent the last 14 months trying to expand what is known about the old-time gunsmiths of Somerset and Bedford counties, Pennsylvania. I have information on 160 individuals, including interactive maps of where many of them lived, and are buried. I also have photos of 35 long rifles they produced. I keep the information on my website, for editing convenience. Please let me know if you find mistakes or have something to add: http://korns.org/gunsmiths/gunsmith-index.html

Great reference material ..... I sent you a pm

[spgordon]

Wow! What a lot of careful work went in to this--and what a great (and generous) way to share it.

[lexington1]

A great resource. I refer to it quite often. Thanks Lannie!

[realtorone]

I have a Swivel Breech with both barrels having that early rifling. Do not have equipment to post pictures.

George

[Shreckmeister]

Interesting that Joseph Mills is absent from his list of Bedford gunsmiths.