Author Topic: George Slonaker? rifle uncovered in Alabama (Read 9837 times)

Mark Tyler · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2013, 06:55:38 PM »

I doubt this is a Stoudenour.

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2013, 08:16:31 PM »

Would you elaborate on that Mark? The lock is marked J S in script matching one in Whiskers book
according to owner.

Mark Tyler · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2013, 10:22:36 PM »

Rob,

The stock architecture is off from the typical Bedford/Stoudenour (i.e. little too fat at the butt, absence of lock panels, shape of cheek,..). The engraving is not in the style of Stoudenour. The side plate is not a typical Bedford county side plate. The patchbox is a typical of Bedford county patchbox (may be Somerset County). The lock plate is not a typical Bedford county (rat tail is wrong shape). The turned trigger is not typical of Bedford County (may be Huntingdon County). Additionally, the hammer, lock bolt and drum all look to me modern. And maybe even the lock plate?

Here is the list of makers with the initials "J. S." from "Gunsmiths of Bedford, Huntingdon, Fulton, & Somerset Counties" by James B. Whisker and Larry Yantz (Track of the Wolf, 2001).

Jacob Saylor
Joseph E. Sivits
John George Slonaker
Jacob Sloop.
J. E. Smith
Jacob Snider
James Stapleton
James M. Stapleton
Joseph Stapleton
Jacob Stekenius
Jacob Stoudenour
John Stoudenour Jr.

I am almost certain this is NOT a Snider, Stapleton or Stoudenour. I have handled many example of each.

It could be a period restock or a conglomeration of parts.

Why do you think it is a Stoudenour?

JTR · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2013, 11:14:48 PM »

I'm going to agree with Mark here...
To me it looks like a concoction of old and not so old parts...

John

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2013, 11:38:39 PM »

No argument from me Mark. I was told it was Stoudenour and posted it as such. Just wanted your
experienced breakdown. I know you've seen a ton of them from the area. Much appreciated.
So, give me your best guess on it. I swear I've seen that exact wearplate somewhere in a book.
I have to disagree with JTR about old and new parts. If I had my pick the triggerguard, lockplate
buttplate and stock look like the George Slonaker on p. 122 of the blue Bedford Somerset book as
well as the incised line along the bottom of the buttstock. All Slonaker. Owner agrees lockplate
says GS.

Hurricane ( of Virginia) · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2013, 04:47:40 AM »

There is a fine carved Slonaker in the Library
Hurricane

Mark Tyler · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2013, 05:08:02 AM »

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=8030.0

pathfinder · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2013, 02:00:34 AM »

The wrist and comb kinda bother me. Inlay work is pretty good,and it 'look's' old,but the point of the comb is clumsey.

Mark Tyler · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2013, 04:21:15 AM »

How does the patchbox release? Do you have a photo of the toeplate and tang?

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2013, 05:02:38 PM »

Quote from: JTR on February 26, 2013, 11:14:48 PM

I'm going to agree with Mark here...
To me it looks like a concoction of old and not so old parts...

John

Now here is a concoction of old parts

JTR · « **Reply #11 on:** March 12, 2013, 06:30:22 PM »

And the point of quoting me with your new picture is???

John

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #12 on:** March 12, 2013, 07:53:33 PM »

Concoction just seemed like the right word to describe these.

Mark Tyler · « **Reply #13 on:** March 12, 2013, 10:44:16 PM »

What is the 4th rifle from the right?

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #14 on:** March 12, 2013, 11:32:59 PM »

Emailing you the detailed image. I'll ask the owner what he knows.

Buck · « **Reply #15 on:** March 13, 2013, 01:19:31 AM »

Avlrc,
Beautiful, you probably don't have any boys throwing footballs around your place do you.
Buck

Avlrc · « **Reply #16 on:** March 13, 2013, 01:23:22 AM »

Quote from: Buck on March 13, 2013, 01:19:31 AM

Avlrc,
Beautiful, you probably don't have any boys throwing footballs around your place do you.
Buck

One grandson. They ain't up there anymore. That kid can break an anvil with a rubber hammer

Buck · « **Reply #17 on:** March 13, 2013, 02:31:15 AM »

I understand your position, I have 3 boys in the house. It seems that communication between the 3 always involves a wrestling match, breaking furniture or something important to the wife.

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #18 on:** March 13, 2013, 02:46:36 AM »

Avlrc, Thanks for sharing that. I'll ask the owner if it is signed and let you know.

Mark Tyler · « **Reply #19 on:** March 13, 2013, 03:33:10 AM »

Alvrc, thanks for the reply. I thought that was a Virginia patchbox I have seen before.

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #20 on:** March 13, 2013, 02:31:17 PM »

Avlrc. Just blew that plaque up and read it. Thanks for posting. I wonder if wm shreckengost born 1818 was doing the exact same thing at that time. It would explain why the powder mill and other gunsmiths were nearby. An armory of sorts. Maybe maybe not. It was interesting that it said the Sheetz rifles were
discarded when the newly issues rifles arrived. I wonder what that meant. If they took their home guns
to Sheetz to be converted, you would think they would have stored them or had someone pick them up and
take them home for later use. I wonder about the validity of that statement.

Avlrc · « **Reply #21 on:** March 13, 2013, 08:39:36 PM »

Yeah, I think "Discarded" should be replaced with " and the guns of Jacob Sheetz were left at home for their families"

Shreckmeister · « **Reply #22 on:** March 13, 2013, 10:25:06 PM »

Avlrc, It was suggested the Hampshire rifle was made by Reinhard, not sure of spelling? What are your
thoughts on this?

Avlrc · « **Reply #23 on:** March 14, 2013, 01:04:00 AM »

I doubt that it was made by James Rinehart or his Brother John W Rinehart.(they were brothers not father and son) Below is both Rineharts, then under that is two Jacob Sheetz rifles .Look at these four rifles and see what you think..Jacob loved that heart on the wrist, oval on cheek piece and inlays on the forestock , some identical as those on your friends rifle. Show us the cheek side of your friends rifle. I would say if it is not made by Jacob Sheetz then George Young, but I am wrong a lot.

Thanks for showing those rifles to us..

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=13024.0

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=13032.0

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Author Topic: George Slonaker? rifle uncovered in Alabama (Read 9837 times)