"ca. 1880 – Adams Township - He was one of the last gun makers in the area and died in 1916. At least one rifle he made was very typical of the Snyder Count School with a nice patch box and other brass inlays. Other guns are very plain. He was known to have used real dimes for inlays. He lived in Adams Township near the present town of Benfer although on some guns he signed his location as “Troxelville”. The father of Amos Benfer was Daniel Benfer and descendents of these two contend that Daniel was a gunsmith who taught the trade to his son Amos. The family is in the possession of a rifle signed “Daniel Benfer”. The signature on this gun is in block lettering and the barrel is obviously much older than the rest of the gun. It is certainly possible that Amos might have restocked this older barrel late in his life. Daniel lived west of Paxtonville near the present stone quarry. No documentation has ever been found to indicate that there was a gunsmith named Daniel, but several guns are known signed “D.B.” in script.
From Mark Loudenslager: Amos Benfer
Born: April 2, 1841 Union County, PA
Died: June 28, 1916 Troxelville, Adams Township, Snyder County, PA
Buried: Troxelville Cemetery, Troxelville, Snyder County, PA
Amos Benfer is listed in the Snyder County tax records as a “Gunsmith” in Adams Township (near Troxelville) in 1882 through 1893. Prior to 1882 Amos Benfer listed his occupation as “Carpenter” in the Adams Township tax records. Amos Benfer was the son of Daniel Benfer Jr., born October 10, 1811, died January 6, 1893. His mother was Sophia Aigler was born October 16, 1818, and died 1902. Amos Benfer, and his cousin, gunsmith Moses Benfer may have learned the gunsmith trade from their uncle, gunsmith George Haines, b. 1808. George Haines was married to Elizabeth Benfer, b. December 9, 1812, daughter of Daniel Benfer Sr., b. August 15, 1782. Daniel Benfer Sr.’s son Daniel Benfer Jr. was the father of Amos Benfer. Daniel Benfer’s son Paul Benfer, b. Sept. 1820 was the father of gunsmith Moses Benfer. Amos Benfer married Amanda Kline. Amos Benfer’s gunshop stood formerly one mile south of Troxelville and was torn down in the early 1900’s.
Amos Benfer was said to have been a great match shooter who traveled to all rifle matches near and far. He organized and ran all local shooting matches. His rifles are said to be known for their high grade quality locks and accuracy. As one old-timer said, “they were able to shoot all day long and stay in the black.” Ref. Dalas Ewing notes on Snyder County Gunsmiths."
From Mark Loudenslager: Amos Benfer
Born: April 2, 1841 Union County, PA
Died: June 28, 1916 Troxelville, Adams Township, Snyder County, PA
Buried: Troxelville Cemetery, Troxelville, Snyder County, PA
Amos Benfer is listed in the Snyder County tax records as a “Gunsmith” in Adams Township (near Troxelville) in 1882 through 1893. Prior to 1882 Amos Benfer listed his occupation as “Carpenter” in the Adams Township tax records. Amos Benfer was the son of Daniel Benfer Jr., born October 10, 1811, died January 6, 1893. His mother was Sophia Aigler was born October 16, 1818, and died 1902. Amos Benfer, and his cousin, gunsmith Moses Benfer may have learned the gunsmith trade from their uncle, gunsmith George Haines, b. 1808. George Haines was married to Elizabeth Benfer, b. December 9, 1812, daughter of Daniel Benfer Sr., b. August 15, 1782. Daniel Benfer Sr.’s son Daniel Benfer Jr. was the father of Amos Benfer. Daniel Benfer’s son Paul Benfer, b. Sept. 1820 was the father of gunsmith Moses Benfer. Amos Benfer married Amanda Kline. Amos Benfer’s gunshop stood formerly one mile south of Troxelville and was torn down in the early 1900’s.
Amos Benfer was said to have been a great match shooter who traveled to all rifle matches near and far. He organized and ran all local shooting matches. His rifles are said to be known for their high grade quality locks and accuracy. As one old-timer said, “they were able to shoot all day long and stay in the black.” Ref. Dalas Ewing notes on Snyder County Gunsmiths."
"ca. 1880 – Adams Township - He was one of the last gun makers in the area and died in 1916. At least one rifle he made was very typical of the Snyder Count School with a nice patch box and other brass inlays. Other guns are very plain. He was known to have used real dimes for inlays. He lived in Adams Township near the present town of Benfer although on some guns he signed his location as “Troxelville”. The father of Amos Benfer was Daniel Benfer and descendents of these two contend that Daniel was a gunsmith who taught the trade to his son Amos. The family is in the possession of a rifle signed “Daniel Benfer”. The signature on this gun is in block lettering and the barrel is obviously much older than the rest of the gun. It is certainly possible that Amos might have restocked this older barrel late in his life. Daniel lived west of Paxtonville near the present stone quarry. No documentation has ever been found to indicate that there was a gunsmith named Daniel, but several guns are known signed “D.B.” in script.
From Mark Loudenslager: Amos Benfer
Born: April 2, 1841 Union County, PA
Died: June 28, 1916 Troxelville, Adams Township, Snyder County, PA
Buried: Troxelville Cemetery, Troxelville, Snyder County, PA
Amos Benfer is listed in the Snyder County tax records as a “Gunsmith” in Adams Township (near Troxelville) in 1882 through 1893. Prior to 1882 Amos Benfer listed his occupation as “Carpenter” in the Adams Township tax records. Amos Benfer was the son of Daniel Benfer Jr., born October 10, 1811, died January 6, 1893. His mother was Sophia Aigler was born October 16, 1818, and died 1902. Amos Benfer, and his cousin, gunsmith Moses Benfer may have learned the gunsmith trade from their uncle, gunsmith George Haines, b. 1808. George Haines was married to Elizabeth Benfer, b. December 9, 1812, daughter of Daniel Benfer Sr., b. August 15, 1782. Daniel Benfer Sr.’s son Daniel Benfer Jr. was the father of Amos Benfer. Daniel Benfer’s son Paul Benfer, b. Sept. 1820 was the father of gunsmith Moses Benfer. Amos Benfer married Amanda Kline. Amos Benfer’s gunshop stood formerly one mile south of Troxelville and was torn down in the early 1900’s.
Amos Benfer was said to have been a great match shooter who traveled to all rifle matches near and far. He organized and ran all local shooting matches. His rifles are said to be known for their high grade quality locks and accuracy. As one old-timer said, “they were able to shoot all day long and stay in the black.” Ref. Dalas Ewing notes on Snyder County Gunsmiths."
From Mark Loudenslager: Amos Benfer
Born: April 2, 1841 Union County, PA
Died: June 28, 1916 Troxelville, Adams Township, Snyder County, PA
Buried: Troxelville Cemetery, Troxelville, Snyder County, PA
Amos Benfer is listed in the Snyder County tax records as a “Gunsmith” in Adams Township (near Troxelville) in 1882 through 1893. Prior to 1882 Amos Benfer listed his occupation as “Carpenter” in the Adams Township tax records. Amos Benfer was the son of Daniel Benfer Jr., born October 10, 1811, died January 6, 1893. His mother was Sophia Aigler was born October 16, 1818, and died 1902. Amos Benfer, and his cousin, gunsmith Moses Benfer may have learned the gunsmith trade from their uncle, gunsmith George Haines, b. 1808. George Haines was married to Elizabeth Benfer, b. December 9, 1812, daughter of Daniel Benfer Sr., b. August 15, 1782. Daniel Benfer Sr.’s son Daniel Benfer Jr. was the father of Amos Benfer. Daniel Benfer’s son Paul Benfer, b. Sept. 1820 was the father of gunsmith Moses Benfer. Amos Benfer married Amanda Kline. Amos Benfer’s gunshop stood formerly one mile south of Troxelville and was torn down in the early 1900’s.
Amos Benfer was said to have been a great match shooter who traveled to all rifle matches near and far. He organized and ran all local shooting matches. His rifles are said to be known for their high grade quality locks and accuracy. As one old-timer said, “they were able to shoot all day long and stay in the black.” Ref. Dalas Ewing notes on Snyder County Gunsmiths."
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