doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com William Glaze [Palmetto Armory] perc double....

Glaze is well know for his Civil War connection to the South's Palmetto Armory.

However, a very nicely made and high condition, SxS perc shotgun, with his name on the locks has recently surfaced. The proofs are apparently Euro/English -- I have not seen them first hand. I informed the present owner was that it was a common practice for an American gunmaker to import guns, and mark them under his own name for retail sale. While, thanks to this board, I am aware of native gunmakers that made fine and high end SxS shotguns here, it was unlikely given the proofs, that the gun was made in his shop.

"Could it possibly have been stocked and assembled from imported parts?" "Prob'ly not." is my thot, but I'm hardly a historical arms expert. I'll leave that to them, upon examination to-hand.

By the phone description and my questions, it sounds as tho it is more than a just a utilitarian piece. As well, there is the ghost and four screw holes of a presentation plaque on the RH side of the butt. With so little info presently to go on, this query is just for background info. When speaking with a local 'national level' Civil War goods dealer, he informed me that he knows of no William Glaze marked civilian guns.

However,if a gunsmith in Charlestown, SC ran a famous armory during that war, it seems unlikely to me that he wouldn't have left a record of some manner in the civil trade, both before and after the hostilities.

So, this is my question, until closer examination allows more specifics:

Does anyone here have reference to William Glaze of Charlestown, SC as a Civilian Gunsmith and Retailer, before and after the War?

I see a quick Google produced a least one apparent biography, but I am much pressed for time these days, and any leads or info the assembled may supply, is much appreciated

"William Glaze, gunmaker was located in Columbia, South Carolina at corner of Laurel and Lincoln streets, where he converted the Palmetto Iron Works into the Palmetto Armory. He produced 6000 model 1842 muskets, 1000 model 1841 rifles, 2000 model 1842 calvary pistols, 1000 heavy model 1840 calvary swords, 1000 artillery swords, and perhaps a small quantity of cannon. Sherman's troops burned the factory 17-19 Feb 1865, which was rebuilt with George Shields, Glaze's partner (doing businsess as Shields and Glaze), with new machinery purchased from the north. Glaze went bankrupt in 1868 and his assets were sold at a Sheriff's sales (source: "Carolina Gunsmiths, 1660-1870")

There is no evidence that Glaze did business in Charleston, South Carolina and I understand that Glaze lost his mental abilities and died possible in an insane asylum.

Maybe, whatever this gun you reference is, what fabricated from parts from obtained at the Sheriff's sale along with others. Is it a percussion gun or breech loading gun?

JohnM;

Please excuse/disregard my last sentence, as I afterwards re-read your post and saw that guns is percussion.

JohnM,

Here is what I have.
William Glaze, Columbia, SC 1838-1870

Start out as a jeweler with a Mr Bostwright.
Establish the Palmetto Iron-work in 1850.
Associated with a Benjamin Flagg 1854.
The firm became Glaze & Radcliffe 1861
Some guns are marked W.G. & Co., they can have both USA and CSA markings, he apparently was dealing in any arms available to fulfill his contract.

1861 purchased the Palmetto Armory under a contract with the CSA, part of which required the repair and production of arms.

There is a book available.
William Glaze and the Palmetto Armory
by Jack Allen Meyer
Published in 1994, South Carolina State Museum (Columbia, S.C)
67 pages

http://sc.gov/Mall/Store/f3cbae6e9abd421...07cbe0edbf1fb7/

Pictures of the shotgun would help, obviously. I am sure, as you stated, he imported it and put his name on it.

Pete

All of the above is basically correct. William Glaze was an entrepreneur in the truest sense. He was a jeweler by trade but with the onset of hostilities he first obtained a contract to convert flintlock arms at the South Carolina Armoury to the percussion system. In forming the Palmetto Armoury he contracted for the various arms as described above, many of which were obtained from outside sources and then marked with his dies: A Palmetto tree with "Palmetto Armoury and Columbia, SC" encircling it. The single shot pistol was produced there with machinery obtained from the Asa Waters Company.

I have seen a very few sporting arms marked "William Glaze" that were probably produced just before or just after the war. It was quite common for Columbia jewelers to sell sporting arms many of which were obtained in England and marked there for the American merchant. I have a sxs percussion 12 bore gun marked "Radcliffe & Guignard, Columbia, SC" that I bought at auction from Holt's in London. That company only operated under that name for three years, 1857 - 1860. I believe that the gun was made in the Birmingham trade and never shipped to Columbia due to the war. It appears to be unfired.

Jack Meyer is a good friend and works part time with the South Carolina Museum in Columbia. I will ask him about this gun and will post his response.

Best Regards, George

Thanks, gentlemen.

It may be some bit before the owner and I can re-connect, given that waterfowl season is in, and pheasant opens soon. The Chessies lament my necessity of serving Mammon, rather than Nimrod in his season, but however early or late the day may be, we try to see some open sky.

And of course, every regular client who has been sitting with the formal dining table & chairs in need of a polish touch up since last holiday season, now wonder if I can't just fit them in by T-day or C-day or the party Friday night. And of course, it's hard to turn down this seasonal work. And yes, I have tried to train them to have me do it in March, but alas, hostesses appear to set their own priorities in their needful schedule.

So the duck skiff rides on the van, the dogs in their crates, and the job-site kit has to share space. Little time is spent here or any where on the 'Net. Will have to catch up in February, just in time for all the Seasonal Affective Disorder grumps to come out of the cyber-woodwork; not that I'd know anything about that. ;~`)

Just wanted those of you who took the time to respond, or will venture further research on behalf of the inquiry, that y'r time is appreciated, and this isn't forgotten.

Heck, my curmudgeonly friend Uncle Dick, has even threatened that he might want to proceed with the dispersal of his project and other guns after the First of the Year. I won't hold my breath, but that would be a fun time for all those who value the old, neglected, little known, and forgotten small treasures of SxS guns.

The owner of the Glaze gun has been linked to this thread, so he can follow the info, and perhaps chime in with any info that would be useful, firsthand.

Happy powder smoke, floating feathers, and fine dinners to all,

John