Henry W. Shoemaker

“ Often the backwoods arms enthusiast would insist that the shutters be closed and the smith's work carried on by candle-light, lest a passing hechs cast a glance upon the barrel, which would ever afterward be deprived of the power to kill. ”

“ It is a pity that the science of ancient arms is not more popular in inland Pennsylvania, and that more of the curious specimens of arms have not been retained, but were allowed to be shipped away to collectors elsewhere before their local value was recognized. It is with a hope that it may stimulate other collectors at home to assemble ancient weapons before it is too late that this catalogue has been published. ”

“ Piper's catalogue of his own collection, all in perfect order, to show similar types of weapons at their best. While, as stated, there are many specimens missing, these vacancies emphasize the wide range of weapons used by the old-time Pennsylvanians. The frequent wars kept bringing new types of arms into the wilderness and new ideas for weapons among the woodsmen themselves, and this was most noteworthy after the Civil War, which was also the end of the grand romantic period of the Pennsylvania wilderness. ”

“ The Covenhoven rifle was latterly owned by the old deer-hunter Miller Day, of English Centre, Lycoming County, but is now in Philadelphia, while the knife is at the James V. Brown Library, Williamsport, together with his Ketland pistol. As symbols of a bolder and broader day the firearms of backwoods Pennsylvania will always exercise a peculiar charm, typifying as they do the period of trackless forests, Indians, panthers, wolves, unbridled romance. Also, that strangely picturesque period of the Civil War, when the sharp-shooting Pennsylvania mountain boys (and older ones) went forth to snip ”

“ Stock is of some dark, hard Oriental wood, probably olive, and is covered with fine silver-wire inlay. All mountings are of silver, beautifully sculptured and engraved and bear curious Turkish hallmarks. As the ramrods for these pistols were carried about the neck to facilitate loading on horseback, they were frequently made without ramrods attached. This pistol, like the following one, is furnished with a dummy or imitation rod. English proof-marks on barrel. Gold breech-band. In the best of possible condition and a really beautiful specimen. From the Austin collection. ”

“ Seth Nelson, Jr. was born in Potter County in 1838 and was brought to Three Runs, Clinton County, by his parents two years later. He is today a handsome old man, with keen blue eyes, regular features, long hair and snow white beard, hale and hearty at four score and ten. He accompanied his father on most of his great hunts and was his devoted and able assistant in his gunshop and forge. Even in late years he has turned out guns complete—"lock, stock and barrel" and hunting knives of unusual skill and workmanship.
74. HUNTING KNIFE. L. 10"
Staghorn handle. ”

“ The frontiersmen of British origins always named their favorite rifles "My Friend," "My Brother," "Sure Shot," "Confidence," "Never Fail," "Carry My Wish," "Kill Deer," and "Kill Buck," and cherished them almost as living things. Many of them camped out at the wayside gunshops until a specially ordered weapon was begun and finished, so as to supervise every detail of its fabrication. ”

“ BUSLER BROTHERS, CLINTON COUNTY, PA.
(Frontispiece)
"Aerataeque Micant Peltae, Micat Aereus Ensis."
—Virgil, Aen. VIII, 743
DEDICATED TO THE PENNSYLVANIA FOLK-LORE SOCIETY,
BY THE COMPILER
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
For years this writer's aim was to visualize the armed Pennsylvanian of earlier days; how he went forth to fight his Indian foe, to slay the bison, moose, elk and smaller game, and on his expeditions to the fields of love: where his firearms and edged weapons originated. To create the living man his arms must be secured, and gradually the present collection was assembled. ”

“ In the stock is a small piece of wood which was blessed by the French priests and placed in the stock at the arsenal. It was supposed to insure accuracy. A curious outcropping of medieval superstition in modern times. [Pg 10]
41. CIVIL WAR AUSTRIAN PURCHASE CARBINE. L. 30-1/2"
"During the first part of the Civil War the United States purchased a great quantity of these arms, and before their worthlessness became apparent a considerable number was issued. The calibre of most of them was .75; the rifling was very deep ”

“ Roughly and cheaply made. Black-painted poplar stock, brass mountings. Belgian proof-marks. Guns of this sort were made at a cost of about a dollar and often brought as much as five hundred dollars worth of ivory.
2. PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 58"
Curley maple stock, highly polished and finished in a dark, mahogany-like red. Big and extremely ornate brass patch-box, brass plate on under side of stock, running from trigger-guard to lower ramrod-thimble, original striped ramrod. All brasswork engraved. About .32 calibre. Double set triggers. Sights not original. ”

“ This specimen has been fitted with a Civil War type rear sight, evidently having been issued in 1862, when arms were scarce. Initials "L. H." cut in stock, while brass plate is marked "J. E. S." Sling-strap not original and jaw-screw is obviously home-made, with square head. Several inches have been cut off of barrel. This gun is not reliable as a source of data on U. S. military arms. A curious mountaineer gun, in fine order.
40. "ZULU" SHOTGUN. L. 50-1/2"
Made from old French army rifle. These guns were sold in great quantities to the poorer farmers in Pennsylvania. ”

“ Purchased in the neighborhood of Altoona, Pa., and probably of Pennsylvania origin, though [Pg 39] there are no marks. Similar to the Kentucky style of rifle, except for back-action lock and small oval patch-box. Brass mountings and curley maple stock. About .44 Cal.
4. OVER-AND-UNDER PERCUSSION RIFLE. L. 50"
Barrels revolve, being released by catch in front of trigger-guard. Full length curley maple stock, ramrod on one side and three German silver inlays on the other. Large brass patch-box. Mark; "Conestoga Rifle Works". These double-barrel rifles with revolving barrels are rare. ”

“ From the Austin Collection.
121. CONFEDERATE OFFICER'S SWORD. L. 36-1/2"
Straight, single-edged blade, deeply grooved. Half-basket guard, incorporating the letters "C. [Pg 30] S." Brass mountings. Confederate arms are exceedingly rare. Illustrated, Plate V.
122. CIVIL WAR SABRE OF 1st LT. HENRY F. SHOEMAKER. L. 36"
Carried during the Civil War by the father of the present owner, while an officer in the 27th Pennsylvania Volunteers. Blade slightly engraved, leather-covered grip, gold and black sabre-knot. ”

“ IMPROVISED DAGGER MADE FROM TABLE-KNIFE. L. 7"
Blade has been ground down to dagger shape and guard has been added by twisting wire about hilt. Used by an Italian in Williamsport to murder his step-daughter.
86. BOWIE KNIFE. L. 10"
Old and rather crudely made. Wooden grip. Has seen Civil War service and is believed to have been taken from the body of a Confederate soldier.
87. DAGGER. L. 12-1/4"
Apparently home-made. Hilt made from the handle of an old Barlow pocket knife. Found in pocket of Lute Shaffer, murderer of Colby family, Clinton County, 1888. ”

“ HUNTING KNIFE. L. 11-1/2"
Staghorn handle. Pewter mounts.
77. SMALL LEAD-LADLE. L. 15"
Used for running bullets. Made and used by Seth Nelson, Jr.
78. LEAD LADLE. L. 19"
A trifle more artistic in design. Also used by Seth, Jr. Like the preceding number, this is of the period of 1855-'75.
79. LARGE LEAD-LADLE. L. 20"
Crudely made. Former property of Seth Nelson, Sr., the father of the maker of Nos. 77 and 78. Period 1830-'50.
80. POWDER HORN AND BULLET POUCH.
The 12-inch horn is still fitted with the original tip-plug and contains a quantity of rifle-powder, of about FFF texture. ”

“ Checkered grip, cap-box in butt. A facsimile of the pistol used by J. Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln.
53. COOPER FIVE-SHOT REVOLVER. L. 10"
Percussion. Double action, .31 Cal. This is the early Pittsburg revolver, not to be confused [Pg 13] with arms of the same type made at Philadelphia. Rare. Resembles the Colt 1849 Model, except that trigger is in center of trigger-guard.
54. PECULIAR DOUBLE ACTION REVOLVER. L. 5"
Percussion. Similar in action to a pepperbox. Marked "Ell's Patent." The cataloguer has never before seen a pistol of this type. Good condition. ”

“ Some illegible lettering on barrel, which is octagon and extremely heavy. Ramrod under barrel. Stock extends only to breech and is inlaid with German silver. Extremely rare. This type was used on the western plains, 1840-'55.
30. U. S. FLINTLOCK MUSKET. L. 58"
Model of 1798. Cheek-piece hollowed into stock. Complete with flint and ramrod and in fine shooting condition. Mark, "J. Henry, Phila."
31. FLINTLOCK KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 56-1/2"
Curley maple stock. Brass mounts, including long patch-box. Original striped ramrod, which has been re-tipped with an exploded pistol cartridge. ”

“ Shoemaker, in 1915, as a specimen of an early Indian weapon. Sling-stone in place.
100. POCKET KNIFE CARRIED BY JESSE LOGAN. (1828-1917.) L. 5-1/2"
Originally a very cheap knife, of the sort sold by itinerant peddlers.
101. GERMAN HUNTING KNIFE, MIDDLE XIX CENT. L. 12"
Beautiful bronze hilt, ornamented in relief with guns, horns and other implements of the chase. Shell guard. Boar-head pommel. Quillions shaped like deer feet. Double-edged blade, in original sheath.
102. COLLINS HEAVY HUNTING KNIFE. L. 16-1/2"
Vulcanite grips, quillions and elephant-head pommel of some white composition metal. ”

“ These powder-and-bullet sets are now much rarer than the rifles with which they were used. A fine old pioneer piece. [Pg 22]
81. SMALL LEAD-HANDLED DAGGER. L. 7-1/2"
Given to Seth Nelson, Sr., by Bill Long, a famous Clearfield County hunter.
82. LITTLE ONE-PIECE COPPER KNIFE. L. 5"
Given to Col. Shoemaker by Seth Nelson, Jr., to illustrate the earliest type of pocket-knife used by the frontiersmen. ”

“ The rare holster size. Six inch barrel, six shots, .32 rim fire. Presented by Harry A. McGraw, of the Pennsylvania Alpine Club, Altoona, [Pg 44] Pa. Rosewood grips. This model was a favorite among Northern officers during the Civil war.
24. COLT ARMY REVOLVER, MODEL OF 1860. L. 14"
Bright finish, steel back-strap and brass trigger-guard, has a most beautiful burl-maple grip. Notched for shoulder stock. .44 Cal. In almost new condition, and is still quite accurate. From the Vaughn Collection.
25. COLT NAVY REVOLVER, MODEL OF 1851. L. 13"
Octagon barrel. Steel back-strap and trigger-guard. ”

“ Wheels, axle, gun and trail are all made of brass. Bore, 3/8-inch, height, ten inches. Can be fired. These little cannon-models are rare. Period of 1812.
151. ANCIENT ORIENTAL HELMET.
Probably Persian. Chain-and-plate mail neck guard.
152. WATERLOO RELIC HELMET.
Prussian Cavalry. Bears the number 47. From Austin Collection.
153. PAIR OF LEATHER SADDLE HOLSTERS.
Carried by Trooper Samuel Barker, 7th Cavalry, of Sugar Valley, in the Civil War. Will take the Colt 1860 or any other Army type percussion revolver, or the 1842 or 1836 Model single-shot pistol. ”

“ Rear sight of peculiar and artistic design. This was at one time a very fine gun, and has several interesting features.
14. U. S. ARMY MUSKET, MODEL OF 1822. L. 57-1/2"
Has been varnished all over and is in good condition, but hammer is missing.
15. PERCUSSION KENTUCKY RIFLE. L. 52"
Brass mounted, with considerable brass and silver inlay. Good condition. Maker's name illegible, but "Philadelphia", on lock can be easily made out. Probably a Tryon.
16. SPRINGFIELD MUSKET. L. 55"
Model of 1861, caliber .58, percussion. Marks on lock, "U. S. Springfield. 1862." ”

“ These caltrops were scattered in the grass and on the trails to hamper the approach of Indians, and were frequently poisoned to cause infection. A rare Pennsylvania Indian War relic, in good state of preservation. Secured through Dr. Nevin J. Gray, former Assistant State Librarian, of Pennsylvania.
157. BLACKJACK. L. (including strap) 13-1/2"
Issued during the World War to the Pennsylvania Home Defense Police. A good, substantial "billy", covered with black leather and weighted with lead.
158. SMALL FLOBERT RIFLE. .22 CAL.
159. GERMAN TWO HANDED SWORD.
(From Austin Collection.) ”