I am always surprised at how similar some of these Hampshire boxes are,in design and engraving..While Hampshire County Rifles were made with different styles of patchboxs , this the "Acorn" patchbox seems to be the most prevalent and almost a signature of the county..I do think that it may be possible that at least one gunmaker in Hampshire county may have made patchboxs used by other gunmakers...However the gunmakers of Hampshire County had a very close relationship,such as...In the 1850 census James W Rinehart and Nathaniel Oats(gunsmiths) lived in the same house, a girl by the last name of Shane also lived in that house,no doubt kin to Benjamin F Shane (gunsmith).Benajmin Shane , bought from Nathaniel Offutt's(gunsmith) heirs Nathaniel's gunshop.Shane in turn sells his old gunshop to Gunsmith Christiopher Slonaker...And years before this transaction Slonaker had bought the gunshop and land formerly owned by Henry Topper (gunsmith) this is just a few examples,that could explain likeness...I do like the gun,and the fact that the maker sacraficed his life for the Confederate States does add to its' appeal...(a picture of capbox would be nice)
