Gentlemen, Thank you Kent for posting my Reedy and Fichthorn Jr. file photos.
My main purpose in getting these pics on the ALR site is to allow the membership to arrive at their own decision regarding the Morphy's gun in question.
A little history first: Leonard Reedy was born in 1776. Family issues led him to Womelsdorf, Pa. when his father either became ill or died in 1790. Leonard's new home was with his uncle who was a weaver/tailor. In one circumstance or another Leonard Reedy became an apprentice to the local gunsmith, John Bonewitz. I suspect Bonewitz and Leonard's uncle, Peter, knew each other.
Leonard could have entered his apprenticeship as early as 1790 and become a master gunsmith by 1798. Fichthorn Jr., on the other hand, was sent by his father to learn the gunsmithing trade in the Bonewitz' shop in Womelsdorf about the same time. I suspect Reedy was assigned to train Fichthorn Jr. as much of his work emulates Reedy's style. When you have two guns side by side, one by Reedy and one by Fichthorn Jr. you are left with the feeling their relationship was extremely close.
Regardless, Reedy was the elder by several years and the photos posted by Kent show the similarities between the two. There are other Bonewitz traits the gunsmith shared with both Reedy and Fichthorn Jr. Especially the carving forward of the cheek rest.
Photo 1 Carving below cheek rest
photo 2 Carving at the barrel tang Reedy vine finial rolls off to the left; Fichthorn Jr.'s to the right
photo 3 Carving at the rear ramrod pipe. Basically identical.
photo 4 Side plate of a signed Fichthorn Jr. It is 5-6% smaller than standard Womelsdorf issue suggesting having been cast from original size and shrunk while cooling. Also the beaver tail carving is a clue.
Photo 5 Reedy engraving [he was much better at it than Fichthorn Jr.] Full use of available space.
photo 6 redundant Reedy photo, but showing more detail. Cross hatching at tang identical to photo 4
Conclusion: The Morphy gun is a Reedy in my opinnion based on photo 2 & photo 5. Regards, HIB
