Anyone have the 1940 edition of "American Gun Makers"?

[Dietle]

Does anyone have the 1940 edition of the book "American Gun Makers"? I am curious to know if that 1940 edition has a listing for "ALLFATHER, John", or any of the other spellings of ALTFATHER. He seems to be known as a gunsmith from a single gun that is attributed to him. I'm wondering how far back I can trace the published idea that he was a gunsmith; how close to the time when he and his children were alive. He died in 1910 and his wife died in 1926. He is recorded as a gunsmith in the 1953 edition. If he is in the 1940 edition, can you send me a picture of the entry?

[JV Puleo]

Do you mean Gardiner? If so, I have 1936

[Frank Graves]

TI have that book that was compiled by L. D. Satterlee and Arcadi Gluckman in 1940.  There is no listing of either of those names or anything close.

[Tanselman]

You may be aware of this source already, but Jim Whisker did a short article in the February, 1987, issue of "The Gun Report" where he listed John Altfather as born in 1834, working as a gunsmith in Somerset County, PA, in 1860. Shelby Gallien

[Steve Collward]

  I have a 1953 edition (2nd Edition/Revised) of Gluckman & Satterlee's "American Gun Makers".
John Allfather is listed being in New Berlin, Pa. No dates or other information is listed.

[Bob D]

Gluckman's  listing is of " American Gun Makers".  Was there a difference between someone being a Gunsmith and someone being named a Gun Maker?   I was under the impression that to become a Gunsmith you had to undergo a training program and accomplish specific requirements such as an apprenticeship, etc..   I would assume if you made a gun you could call yourself a "Gun Maker" but I thought the title  Gunsmith" had to be earned through a formal program at least in the 1800s and before.   Any clarification would be appreciated.    Bob D.



 

[Dietle]

Thanks everyone.

Bob D: In the area I'm studying (Somerset and Bedford Counties, PA) the term found in old records is "gunsmith". In that area in the 1800s, young people apprenticed with practicing gunsmiths to learn the trade. Sometimes there was a written legal agreement where the person was bound to the gunsmith for a certain period of time. Some gunsmiths just repaired guns, some made guns. Those that made guns sometimes get called gunmakers now, but I can't remember ever seeing the term in an old record.