SILVER-MOUNTED RIFLE

[fundukj]

I haven't been able to find this maker in my books. Any help appreciated, for sure. Thanks! John

[Seth Isaacson]

That is an attractive German silver mounted New York rifle. Is it relatively small caliber? It looks like the rear sights were changed up long ago.

P. Woodhall/Woodhull doesn't seem to be listed in any of the usual lists/books. You'll probably want to check the New York gun trade books. You may have some luck sleuthing through old directories on Archive.org

[fundukj]

Thanks for the tip on the directory. I'm hoping someone with the New York books will look this up for me, of course. It is a .40 caliber rifled with a good bore.

[Hungry Horse]

I would check Pennsylvania for a place of origin. That triggerguard style, and a propensity for back action locks, are both seen in Philadelphia, and surrounding areas.

  Hungry Horse

[fundukj]

No doubt, but it is marked New York on the barrel after the signature. My pictures aren't great, but you can see it if you enlarge them.  Thanks!

[Avlrc]

Awesome patchbox, love the boars head.  Similar to engravings on the old German Jaegers.  Real nice find.

[JCKelly]

John, all Swinney has is a Richard Woodhull,  Town of Brookhaven, Suffolk Co., NY, 1850 census. Age 57  Swinney's Volume 4, S - Z.
No photos.
I got Swinney's books because so many, maybe a third, of our makers came from NY state.

Census spelling is often less than perfect.

You might want to spend some time perusing NY census in Ancestry.com  That is what I do with Mich rifles. Found a few guys who are not in other published works.

Jim K

[Tanselman]

John....Your gunmaker is probably Peter Woodhall who is listed in the 1842-1843 New York City Directory, p. 351, as:  Peter Woodhall, gunsmith, 33 Catharine [St.]

Shelby Gallien

[fundukj]

Thanks Shelby and Jim and Mark and others for the info and comments!  I certainly appreciate it.  It's always nice to know something about the maker.  JF

[Curt J]

A very pretty New York halfstock.  Thanks for sharing the photos.

[fundukj]

A couple of folks have asked if I'm going to sell this little halfstock.  The answer is "yes" just as soon as I get around to re-posting all of these photos on the for-sale page.  Thanks.  John