Womelsdorf-Reading School

Known makers of this school of gunsmithing were:  John Bonewitz, Andrew Figthorn, Wolfgang Haga, Leonard Reedy, Peter Belles and H. Eckler. Pay attention to these famous names. This stock is from an original rifle!

Details of this school of Kentucky longrifles yield some common characteristics among known rifles. Located between Lancaster and Bethlehem, the prominent high straight comb of the Lancaster style seems to have influenced the design of the buttstock as did the roman nosing of the Bethlehem School. Although not as high as the Lancaster guns, the straight line feature and well defined nose would be softened somewhat and even slightly roman nosed by some of the makers of this school, seen especially on later guns and in more prominence. Since this school was physically located between Lancaster and Bethlehem it is easy to understand their influence.

Maker Andrew Figthorn slightly re-curved his buttplate toe. I think he was one of the only makers of this school to do so. (Haga almost did it!) Figthorn was also known not to sign his rifles, as were most early makers. It is suspected he did initial some in the precise location on the barrel as did Bonewitz. Figthorn seemed to use a pyramid detail common to many of his guns located under the cheek in the same manner as Bonewitz. Please note: There are three recorded A. Figthorns. This stock represents the work of the Andrew Figthorn who practiced in Reading, PA beginning in 1779 through 1821 and whose son continued in his footsteps afterwards. Known rifles are simply initialed A.F. and this fact is worried by another known maker in the same school and Reading area known as Anthony Fricker. Figthorn rifles with full signatures have not been known or found to date. (Keep your eyes open! This would be an great find!)

The highly talented John Bonewitz was listed as a gunsmith in 1792 and 1800 in Heidelberg Township of Berks County, PA. Womelsdorf Town, of which has been found engraved in script on a gun of his, was a town in this same township. He was listed there until 1809. Most of his work was unsigned or initialed only. His rifles have high combs and cheeks with beautiful engraving and carving. A feature his guns seem to always have is a well designed and carved serpentine design underneath the cheek. C-scrolls begin ahead and behind the cheek terminating against this design. His work was quite beautiful.

Wolfgang Haga seems to be one of the earliest makers of our Kentucky rifles. Records of the earliest date of 1767 prove his producing work then but due to his age and ability, it stands to reason he was long since producing rifles long before that date. He died in 1796. As of this time engraved work by him has never been found. Patchboxes and inlays are always plain, and carving was very plain. He may not have been capable of engraving or ornate design. His workmanship however was excellent. Upper comb lines were roman nosed and terminated boldly into the wrist.

Tax records list John Bonewitz from Womelsdorf, a town in Heidelberg Township (originally Middletown) from 1779 to 1809. Bonewitz rifles have a certain “signature” style about them. The carving is quite beautiful and his high upper comb is almost straight, gracefully terminating after a very gentle arc to the wrist. Just one feature I find interesting is the buttplate has an ever-so-slight re-curve at the very bottom on four rifles of his I have studied. Since Figthorn did not use this detail, our stock is not cut for it. This is one of those details you as the maker decide on! Reading in Berks County, Pennsylvania was home of master gunmaker Andrew Figthorn. He and his son were gunsmiths active after the Revolutionary War. Both were well known for beautiful curly maple stocks and detailed relief carving. Their gentle treatment of the upper comb line with its ever so slight roman nose was only one feature of the beautiful architecture of this rifle. Our stock is a well made representation of the fine lines of the Figthorn rifles; the high combs with slight roman nose, and high cheek. All were richly relief carved in an expert show of C-scroll design and engraving. Right hand only.