Longrifle Made in Augusta County, Virginia
This ca. 1750 flintlock longrifle is attributed to the Augusta County School of longrifle makers. It is very possible that it was made by John Hannah. John was among the earliest gunsmiths known to have worked in Augusta County, Virginia. Prior to 1739, the Hannah family settled in Augusta County on land southwest of Staunton, Virginia on Colliers Creek. Colliers Creek lies southwest of Lexington, VA in Rockbridge County. They settled on land acquired from Benjamin Borden who had been the recipient of
the Borden Land Grant in 1738.
In 1754, John Hannah agreed to teach his indentured servant, John Mitchell, the art of a blacksmith and gunsmith. In 1768, John built a mill on Colliers Creek. Based on his inventory of tools recorded after his death in 1782, he was a blacksmith, white-smith, silversmith, and gunsmith.
The Shaffer (Schaffer, Sheffer) Family of gunsmith moved from Shenandoah County, Virginia to the Mount Solon area. While Jacob Schaffer and Daniel Schaffer were identified as gunsmiths working in Augusta County in the 18th century, only a longrifle barrel signed in a silver plate by Jacob has been found. Perhaps the most prolific Shaffer Family gunsmith was William Shaffer of Mount Solon, Virginia. More than a dozen excellent longrifles made by William are in private collections along with the tools from the shop that he shared with his son Wetzel Sheffer who was also a gunsmith. A very unusual firearm made by William is known as the Virginia Pacificator that is in the collection of the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, Virginia. William made this revolving firearm just prior to the Civil War. Lorenzo Sibert received the United States Patent for the design of the Virginia Pacificator. Because of its important revolving mechanism that would fire multiple rounds of ammunition this firearm would likely have gone into production had it not been for Virginia’s decision to join the Confederate States of America which prevent the firearms from being tested by the United States government.
During the 18th and 19th century there were numerous gunsmith that worked in Augusta County and then followed the settlement of the frontier into the Wilderness District and the Western District of Augusta County are encounters.
John and son Henry Sheets operated a longrifle shop in Staunton, Virginia from 1798 to 1832. Their longrifles were among the finest longrifles ever created. This father and son gunsmith’s art and attention to detail is found on all of their work. The design, engraved brass hardware, silver inlay and unique set triggers found on their American longrifles are among the best work ever found. Capt. Isaac Frame, during the War of 1812, writes to the James Barbour, Governor of Virginia: “John Sheets of Staunton, VA is as grand a genius as the world affords”. (From research by Wallace Gusler, Williamsburg, Virginia.)
John Clemmer apprenticed to John and Henry Sheets to learn the trade of gunsmithing. He made longrifles in Staunton while working in the Sheets Shop and after his apprenticeship in the Lexington, Virginia area.
During the 20th century there have been longrifles made in Augusta County by Herman Reed, Harold Kivlighan, Don Greene and perhaps other.