Initials on a Patchbox Lid?

[Ky-Flinter]

On original rifles that have the owner's initials on the patchbox lid, is the initial of the last name put in the middle or ?

For example, the owner's name is James A. Smith.  Should the monogram be JAS or JSA (and maybe the S is a little larger)?

-Ron

[C Wallingford]

Ron--
Just put CW on it. I think that would look great!

[MarkEngraver]

For a monogram the family  name initial goes in the center and larger,bolder and is flanked by the first and middle initial on either side, these are smaller.

Such as:  J S A   but with the S maybe double the size.

listing them as JAS would be to just list the initials of the person. Letters equal size and weight.

Some people just want their "initials" on a gun. Could be 2, first /last  or 3, first,middle, last.
Others are very specific and want them in a "monogram"
I have done them both ways depending on the desire of the customer.

Hope that helps
Mark

                  

[David Rase]

Ron,
Most of the examples I have seen only have first and last initials engraved on the box.  Here are the initials MC on a Jacob Ferree I did several years back for my friend Mark Curtis.
David

[okieboy]

 Your engraving is really appealing David.

[Ky-Flinter]

Charlie, that could probably be arranged.

Mark, thanks for the info.

Dave, thanks.  Very nice work.


-Ron

[Ed Wenger]

From what I've been able to research, most all initials in the 18th century were of the two letter type.  Three letters typically came later.


      Ed

[wpalongrifle]

David, thats what Kentucky Rifle Engraving should look like!!! well done.

[JDK]

From what I've been able to research, most all initials in the 18th century were of the two letter type.  Three letters typically came later.


      Ed

I may be stating to obvious here, but according to genealogist, that is because most people in 18th century America had but two names.  Middle names were in very limited use at that point.  The first U.S. government document that even had a place to record an individuals middle name was the WWI Army enlistment form.  I wonder if they had three names if they would have used three initials?   J.D.K

[alyce-james]

Thanks for the original topic of this posting. The use of initials in the 18th century produced very interesting information. I like your style of patchbox engraving shown in the pictures. Thanks, Jim   

[flintriflesmith]

Just something else to consider--in some shops the initials on the box were those of the maker rather than the owner. The JD on John Davidson's best surviving rifle is one example. There are several Carolina makers who also signed their work in that way.
Gary

[Stophel]

And sometimes the gunsmith put his name on it in this way: "George Weiker, price 15 dols"  

I've only ever seen two initials on a gun.