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Message:: [QUOTE="BRandM, post: 1086057, member: 22729"][ATTACH]108093.vB[/ATTACH][ATTACH]108092.vB[/ATTACH]       I just bought this counterstamp a week or two ago and thought maybe some of the gun enthusiasts on the forum might be able to help me attribute it. Brunk and Rulau both list the Demuth pieces in their references, but their attributions are tentative. Both feel this is the stamp of either gunsmith Jonathan Demuth of Bushkill, Pike Co., PA or John Demuth who practiced in Lancaster, PA. There were a number of gunsmiths named Demuth from Pike and Lancaster Counties in business during the period between 1771 and 1832 or a bit later. Apparently, the counterstamp matches, or is similiar to those found on one or two examples of flintlock and percussion rifles that have survived. There are about a dozen examples of this stamp known on various coins, the latest dated 1832. There are two distinct sizes and types of lettering, and about half the coins have additional names, words or symbols stamped on them. My example with the "P.H" on it is a new variety. I was hoping that some of you guys with references to early gun makers might be able to match this stamp to that found on a gun on an auction site or in a book. It is possible though that this counterstamp was issued by someone in a different trade, as the surname Demuth is more common than I thought. Brunk speculates that the maker may have been a die sinker or stamp cutter because so many of the known examples have additional stamps on them. Coins were often used by these tradesmen to test new stamps for look and quality. Any help you can give me on identifying the maker of this counterstamp is greatly appreciated. Thanks guys! Bruce[/QUOTE]

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