Use of letter I for letter J

[Dennis Glazener]

Does anyone know what the latest (known) date is for American (southern) use of the letter I in lieu of the Letter J? I believe the letter J was not added to the English alphabet until the mid-1600's but I believe I have have seen/heard of gunsmith's using an I for a J much later than the 1600's. The question is how late?
Dennis

[rlm]

 John Noll used "IN" stamped into a silver touch mark at the breech of his barrels throughout the first two decades of the the nineteenth century. See Bill Bowers book Gunsmiths of PENN-MAR-VA page 31. 

[Hurricane ( of Virginia)]

John Bonewitz used an I for a J as well.

[Acer Saccharum]

Did German-Americans hold onto the 'I' longer that the English?

[Stophel]

In German script and "Fraktur" printing, the letters are the same.

[Stophel]

It's pretty irritating, actually.   "is it an 'ee' or is it a 'yot'?"

[Bob Smalser]

Here's a reference to an "I. Moll" who may have been John Moll.  And my German-born great grandfather wrote letters in fraktur his entire life.

[Collector]

Note:  Not "Southern," but may be relevant nonetheless.  I posted photos some time back of a signed/stamped lock "I Keller" (for a -J-L  on a pistol, that is probably/maybe 1840'ish.  The lock, was a an original flint plate that was used for a percussion (not converted from flint.)  It's in the archives, someplace.

[bgf]

There's more than German at play I think.  Latin does not have a "J", thus names translated (back) from English or German that begin with a "J" will have an "I", such as in "Iohannes", or "Jesus" (and Judeaorum in "INRI").  I'd be interested in seeing more examples of this.  The most convincing (and only non-religious) use of Latin in LR building I know of is the inscription on the Mansker rifle, "T. Simpson fecit".

[Stophel]

Latin is the origin, since we're using Latin letters.
 

[G-Man]

For one more twist, the barrel on the John Harman fowler (London, probably 1740-50 era) we were discussing on here a few weeks back has a touch mark that appears to include the block letters "IH" near the breech, but the barrel is signed on top "JOHN HARMAN LONDON" in block letters...so in this case not necessarily a strictly time or maker specific feature.  (i.e. he was using both "I" and "J" at the same time for different purposes).

Guy

[mbriggs]

John Vogler was a noted Moravian Gunsmith and Silversmith in Salem, N.C. from 1810 to 1850's.  All of his Silver Spoons are signed IVogler.

Michael

[Eric Kettenburg]

As soon as I can kick my daughter off of facebook long enough to gain access to my photo library, I'll post a picture of a barrel engraved "Iohannes Moll" that has been restocked.  Silver inlaid letters too.