"WORLY" or “WORLEY” family of barrel makers?

[Bill Paton]

Leman's recent thread "Need help with ID of flintlock rifle"  shows "I WORLY' stamped at the breech on the top flat of the rifle in question, behind and disassociated from the unusual "J SHULER & CO" maker's stamp. I have examined many percussion rifles with an "I WORLY” barrel maker's stamp at the breech but not on the top flat. 

Reference books listing American gunmakers (including Sellers, Gardiner, Whisker, and Heer) list numerous "Worleys" but no "Worlys", some pointing out that Jesse Worley used "I WORLEY" as his barrel maker"s signature.  In the above thread on his October 16th post, OLUT (who is an in-depth and meticulous researcher on percussion over/under rifles) spells the barrel maker signature "Worley" and mentions Jesse "Worley" as a barrel maker. In my experience, "I WORLEY" as a barrel maker's stamping must be very rare, and "I WORLY" is very common. 

Is there a reason why the stamps differ from the scholarly books in the spelling of this barrel making family?

Puzzled Bill Paton 

[eastwind]

Bill: My Berks County research found:  Worley/Worly name found both ways on barrels. One Worley, John or Jesse made complete rifles, but I've only identified JW on top of the barrel on only a very few rifles. The Worley family was 4-maybe 5- barrel makers in Mohnton, 7 miles south of Reading on the Wyomissing Creek. Henry the father, about 1830, and sons, Henry Jr., Jesse, John, and possibly the youngest, Theophilus. Most active right before, during, and after the Civil War-primarily percussion era. Twenty plus barrel makers on the Creek, most often seen names on barrels would be W. Pannabacker and Henry Deeds, and later Schnader, (his mill still standing) who supplied thousands to Pittsburgh makers, like Allegheny Gun Works for shipment west. Part of Worley's factory in Mohnton is still standing, used as a warehouse today. This was the town that supplied gun barrels from mid-1700s until the late 1800s - historic markers all over the town.
Patrick Hornberger
PS: How's the book coming??

[JTR]

PS: How's the book coming??

Hi Bill, and yes, how is the book coming?
John

[Bill Paton]

Greetings, Patrick and John.

The Kentucky double rifle book is progressing slowly, impeded by my very busy life. Right now my efforts are directed to turning my Wm Antes chapter into a presentation for the KRF symposium and workshop on 18th Century gun-making culture in Eastern Pennsylvania to be held in Pennsburg, PA at the Schwenkfelder Library and Heritage Center on August 22 and 23, 2026. Hank Nowak of the KRA is spearheading the work on the events (along with Mac Spencer, Carl Landis, John Strong, and Tim Hodges) plus a coinciding three month exhibition of pertinent rifles at the same location.  As time gets closer, more information will be posted. In the meantime, keep those dates in mind.

Long before the presentation, I plan to renew chapter writing on the book. Keep cheering me on!”

Bill Paton

[Bill Paton]

Patrick,
Thanks for your informative treatise on the “WORL(E)Ys. The numerous “I WORLY” stamps I’ve documented on percussion double rifles certainly go along with your dating of the family businesses.

I have not seen that stamp on any flintlocks, although there is one clearly mid 19th Century swivel breech percussion rifle that has a fradulent poorly made flint cock and is accompanied by a fradulent page of a gunsmith’s ledger stating the rifle was made for Timothy Murphy of Rev War and General Simon Fraser / Battle of Saratoga fame...  The ledger page is headed: "Isaac Worly riflesmith at Easton"  

Bill Paton