Author Topic: J Shaffer rifle  (Read 937 times)

Offline Mvrestore

  • Starting Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1
J Shaffer rifle
« on: August 20, 2024, 02:49:49 AM »
One of my customers brought me an old rifle to restore.  It is in very poor condition.  He said its been in his family forever.  His family is from Wythe County, VA.  Based on what I've found doing research, mostly on this site, I think the rifle was made by Jacob Shaffer in the early 1800's.

Big question is, if it is actually an old Shaffer rifle, should it be restored or left alone?

I've posted a bunch of photos at the below link.


https://1drv.ms/f/s!Akag3zhZ8E9Pgq4O6QvHkgDgEXzr9A

Offline Avlrc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1371
    • Hampshire County Long Rifles
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2024, 05:25:13 AM »
Great find: that rifle is definitely a candidate for restoration, IMO.
Here is a Shaffer rifle. Maybe you have seen it.
https://www.aspenshadeltd.com/inventory_sha.html

Offline Jacob_S_P

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 67
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2024, 02:28:30 PM »
I have sent you a PM.

Offline Jacob_S_P

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 67
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2024, 03:21:29 PM »
Great find: that rifle is definitely a candidate for restoration, IMO.
Here is a Shaffer rifle. Maybe you have seen it.
https://www.aspenshadeltd.com/inventory_sha.html

Under closer inspection the Aspenshade rifle turned out to actually NOT be a J Shaffer rifle unfortunately. Possibly made in the shop, but not by his hand.

Offline JTR

  • member 2
  • Hero Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 4341
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2024, 06:31:54 PM »
Is it just me, or does the barrel signature and file mark look a little sort of strange?  :-\
John Robbins

Offline Tanselman

  • member 2
  • Hero Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1626
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2024, 07:43:19 PM »
I was glad to see the comment on the Aspen Shade rifle not being a Shaffer rifle. When I looked at it, several significant differences were apparent, including the number of pipes, shape of single initial, side facings, guard, etc. We all love to attach a name to a rifle to give it "roots" or historical perspective, but at times owners jump too quickly to establish a rifle's identify and perhaps push its value. The posted rifle, despite its damage, has a great signature and shows multiple artistic details of Shaffer's hand. And I really like the patchbox on this gun, a little quirky but distinctive and interesting. It is a significant rifle and deserves a quality restoration.

Shelby Gallien
« Last Edit: August 20, 2024, 07:46:48 PM by Tanselman »

Offline Jacob_S_P

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 67
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2024, 09:06:51 PM »
Shelby,
I have studied the Aspenshade rifle extensively. The partial signature is not even close. The rifle in question of the OP of this thread has a correct signature. The Aspenshade had a 'J' and a '+' - the J is wrong and Jacob Shaffer signed nothing documented with a '+'  after the J.
He signed J Shaffer . J (4 dots) Shaffer and 'Jacob Shaffer'  on a silver nameplate. The Aspenshade rifle could have been made in his shop and might have even been made by a son, but it is completely  a guessing game until more information is found (which may never be.)
The rifle the OP has in his possession has a replacement trigger and appears to have been Flint originally. The patchbox while unique is not typical of Shaffer, but his style varied. The stock architecture is very Berks but it matches a stock on a Signed J Shaffer rifle that was on display in Tazwell County and misidentified horribly.

Offline Avlrc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1371
    • Hampshire County Long Rifles
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2024, 01:23:06 AM »
How many signed Jacob Shaffer rifles are known?

Offline Jacob_S_P

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 67
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2024, 02:08:57 AM »
About 15. Plus all of his Deeds and will and documents at the courthouse.

Offline Avlrc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1371
    • Hampshire County Long Rifles
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2024, 02:51:06 AM »
Gotcha...That is a lot of evidence.

Offline MGillman

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 215
Re: J Shaffer rifle
« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2024, 07:05:49 PM »
How many signed Jacob Shaffer rifles are known?

I have published a very basic article on Shaffer, but am currently working on a more extensive article. If anyone is interested, pm me.