J. Grove, Hagerstown, Md.

[Dale Campbell]

On page 52 of Kentucky Rifles and Pistols 1750-1850, and #40 in The Kentucky Rifle by Merrill Lindsay is a rifle by J. Grove, of Hagerstown, Md. These are the only books I have available at the moment.  I am also posting a related question under building.  My son is interested in having me help him build a rifle based on this one.  With that in mind:
1)   Is anything known about when this piece was made?
2)   Do we know when J. Grove worked?
3)   Do we know who he apprenticed with?  Educated inferences are welcome, identified as such.
4)   Are any other pieces by him known?
5)   Are there any other pictures of this piece available? Other books?
6)   Has anyone handled this gun who could give some good pointers on things to be aware of?
7)   Are any measurements available anywhere?

Any help appreciated.

[scooter]

Grove, Jacob  (1759-1834)  gunsmith and clockmaker.  Middletown.  Jacob's great-grandfather Hans Jacob Graef [changed to Grove] came from Switzerland and settled in Pennsylvania.  His grandfather, Hans, Jr., resided in the Keedysville area.  His father, Jacob I, resided in the Sharpsburg area.  Jacob II was born October 1, 1759 and was reared in Washington County.  He resided at the north edge of the village of Middletown. During the Revolutionary War he guarded Hessian prisoners at the Frederick Barracks.  Remaining in the Middletown Valley he was a farmer and gunsmith. When the gunsmith Peter Reichter was leaving Elizabeth Town [Hagerstown] in 1790 he sold his gunsmith tools to Peter Resor and his house and shop to Jacob Grove.  He was married to Christina Storm and to this union were born 9 children.  Jacob II made a will on December 4, 1833, and he died September 3, 1834  [W. J. Grove, History of Carrollton Manor, pp. 327-33; Arms Makers of Maryland, p. 159; Maryland Longrifles, pp. 162-163].

I know of 4 Grove rifles. The one in KRA red book is still owned [to best of my knowledge] by the man whose name is on it in the book. The above is [again to my knowledge] 1st information on Grove. He is buried a few yards from the original Blair Witch [see that incredibly awful movie?] The workmanship is as good as any KY rifle around. MD made guns are often underestimated save for John Armstrong.

[Dale Campbell]

Hi Scooter (Dr. J),

Thanks for your reply.  The carving behind the cheek always reminds me of the Haines rifle that is so popular.  Is that style of carving similar on the other J. Grove pieces? Has anyone hazarded a guess as to when he made it?  Were apprenticeship papers filled out of offspring in the family business? 

Speculation: He could have been doing journeyman work in his late teens/early twenties if he started in his father's/grandfather's shop young enough. And was talented enough.

[scooter]

The vast and overwhelming number of gunsmiths must have apprenticed but with whom? In a few cases we know and a few more we have such strong opinions based on similarity of work and style that apprenticeship is almost certain. By same token I fail to see the master's hand in so many guns! By some accident usually we know of some apprenticeships but boy! I don';t see it, as in the Whetstone brothers of Bedford Co, PA,  who apprenticed in Hagerstown with Gonter == or Ben Troutman of Somerset Co, PA,  with Rizer near Cumberland, MD.
I'd not speculate on the master in Grove's case.
I neglected to mention that I think I have shown 2 of Grove's guns in my MD books I did with Dan Hartzler. Never saw a plain one; all had marvelous workmanship. I'd sooner have a Grove than an Armstrong myself.
I have heard of 1 clock by him but could not locate it.