Author Topic: Help Identifying Maker  (Read 1487 times)

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Help Identifying Maker
« on: June 11, 2024, 03:50:58 AM »
I came across this rifle today that needs some help. The barrel is signed, but I can’t make it out, any idea who this maker is? Thanks for your help.













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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #1 on: June 11, 2024, 04:20:46 AM »
Nice find. Is it a Maryland rifle?    I see N. Van Owen Oer.   I never heard of a maker with that name. That is a riddle.

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #2 on: June 11, 2024, 04:44:16 AM »
Nice find. Is it a Maryland rifle?    I see N. Van Owen Oer.   I never heard of a maker with that name. That is a riddle.

It does have some Maryland features Mark, but I can’t make out enough of the signature to tell.

Offline lexington1

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2024, 05:08:06 AM »
I hope that you find out. It looks like a nice rifle. I would guess Western Pa?

Offline JTR

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #4 on: June 11, 2024, 05:18:00 AM »
I'd think W. Pa as well.
For the name, still looking, hoping something will pop up out of there.
John Robbins

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #5 on: June 11, 2024, 05:33:26 AM »
I hope that you find out. It looks like a nice rifle. I would guess Western Pa?

Yeah, the box & side plate do look WPA.

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #6 on: June 11, 2024, 05:53:10 AM »
Reminds me of Jacob Earnest/Allison and WPA. Did you look through Rick’s book?
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2024, 06:10:41 AM »
I looked in Rick's book and could not find a name like/close to that.  Does anyone else think the last name is Van Owen Oer?

Do you wonder if he shortened it up to Oer or Van Owen sometime later?

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #8 on: June 11, 2024, 02:19:43 PM »
Reminds me of Jacob Earnest/Allison and WPA. Did you look through Rick’s book?

Yes, I checked it out, couldn’t find anything close unfortunately.

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #9 on: June 11, 2024, 02:21:44 PM »
I looked in Rick's book and could not find a name like/close to that.  Does anyone else think the last name is Van Owen Oer?

Do you wonder if he shortened it up to Oer or Van Owen sometime later?

The name is done so light it’s hard to say Mark.

Offline homerifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #10 on: June 11, 2024, 04:28:38 PM »
Nice find Frank! I'm thinking western Pa. also. I like the patchbox engraving and eagle. Interesting signature.

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #11 on: June 11, 2024, 05:27:58 PM »
Nice find Frank! I'm thinking western Pa. also. I like the patchbox engraving and eagle. Interesting signature.

Yes, I’m sure it is, the box looks like Allison’s work, but it’s not him.

Offline jdm

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #12 on: June 11, 2024, 11:51:50 PM »
I'm in the Western Pa. camp also. Icouldn't find any name close.  Perhaps the name of the owner?
JIM

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #13 on: June 12, 2024, 12:32:04 AM »
I'm in the Western Pa. camp also. Icouldn't find any name close.  Perhaps the name of the owner?

I’ve never seen an owners name on the top flat, but I cleaned the signature some and it’s N Vangivenger.

Offline jdm

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #14 on: June 12, 2024, 12:54:19 AM »
How about last name Vandevender or Vandevandor  ?
JIM

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #15 on: June 12, 2024, 01:48:10 AM »
How about last name Vandevender or Vandevandor  ?




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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #16 on: June 12, 2024, 03:44:39 AM »
Here is a Nicholas Vandivender from Western Pa, right time frame.  You might be able to find his occupation in the 1850 census records.

 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8948780/nicholas-vandivender

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #17 on: June 12, 2024, 01:26:23 PM »
Here is a Nicholas Vandivender from Western Pa, right time frame.  You might be able to find his occupation in the 1850 census records.

 https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8948780/nicholas-vandivender

Thanks Mark, that sure looks close!

Offline Shreckmeister

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #18 on: June 12, 2024, 02:15:48 PM »
I'm in the Western Pa. camp also. Icouldn't find any name close.  Perhaps the name of the owner?

I’ve never seen an owners name on the top flat, but I cleaned the signature some and it’s N Vangivenger.
   I have seen a handful with owners name but all made by Shreckengost.
Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual.

Offline Fullstock longrifle

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Re: Help Identifying Maker
« Reply #19 on: June 12, 2024, 09:19:05 PM »
I'm in the Western Pa. camp also. Icouldn't find any name close.  Perhaps the name of the owner?

I’ve never seen an owners name on the top flat, but I cleaned the signature some and it’s N Vangivenger.
   I have seen a handful with owners name but all made by Shreckengost.

I’ve actually seen one, but it had the gunsmiths name, then “for” and the owners name after that.