Significant Early Kentucky Gunmakers

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Balthasar L. Auer

Balthasar L. Auer (1825-1914), gunsmith of Louisville 1859-1869 and Owensboro in Daviess County 1869-1914. Photos courtesy Jacob Glahan, an Auer descendant.

1. Gunsmith Balthasar Auer as he appeared in the 1870s while working in Owensboro, Kentucky. He was well-to-do by then and involved in civic activities.

1. Gunsmith Balthasar Auer as he appeared in the 1870s while working in Owensboro, Kentucky. He was well-to-do by then and involved in civic activities.

2. Balthasar Auer as a younger man, perhaps while still in Switzerland. He's dressed in his bird hunting outfit complete with game bag, flattened powder horn, double-barreled shotgun, and his trusty hunting dog.

2. Balthasar Auer as a younger man, perhaps while still in Switzerland. He's dressed in his bird hunting outfit complete with game bag, flattened powder horn, double-barreled shotgun, and his trusty hunting dog.

3. This rare photo shows Balthasar Auer standing in front of his gun shop at 317 St. Ann Street in Owensboro, KY. Note his shop sign on the left side of the double door. Auer’s assistant holds a shotgun, perhaps made by Auer.

3. This rare photo shows Balthasar Auer standing in front of his gun shop at 317 St. Ann Street in Owensboro, KY. Note his shop sign on the left side of the double door. Auer’s assistant holds a shotgun, perhaps made by Auer.

Robert Hogg and Felix Settle

4. Robert S. Hogg (1818-1877) is pictured with Charlotte, his wife. He worked as a gunsmith in Hancock County, KY, from about 1840 to 1845. He moved to Delaware County, IA, in 1845 where he continued working as a gunsmith until 1877 when he died in a

4. Robert S. Hogg (1818-1877) is pictured with Charlotte, his wife. He worked as a gunsmith in Hancock County, KY, from about 1840 to 1845. He moved to Delaware County, IA, in 1845 where he continued working as a gunsmith until 1877 when he died in a farm accident.

5. Felix Settle (1801-1871) was the son of pioneer Kentucky gunsmith William Settle of Barren County, KY. Felix worked in Barren County his entire life, dying there in 1871. He was the father of Kentucky gunsmiths Simon Settle and Willis Settle.

5. Felix Settle (1801-1871) was the son of pioneer Kentucky gunsmith William Settle of Barren County, KY. Felix worked in Barren County his entire life, dying there in 1871. He was the father of Kentucky gunsmiths Simon Settle and Willis Settle.

George Mefford House and John Shell House

6. The home of early Mason County gunsmith George Mefford was partially constructed from the timbers and lumber of the flat boat he used to come down the Ohio River in 1785, landing at Limestone, today’s Maysville, KY. Through 20th century preservati

6. The home of early Mason County gunsmith George Mefford was partially constructed from the timbers and lumber of the flat boat he used to come down the Ohio River in 1785, landing at Limestone, today’s Maysville, KY. Through 20th century preservation efforts, the house was moved a short distance to an historic area of Washington, KY, in Mason County.

7. John Shell of Leslie County, KY was one of the best-known hill country gunsmiths… not for making great rifles, but for claiming to be over 130 years old. In part due to his local celebrity, there have been recent efforts to preserve his home despi

7. John Shell of Leslie County, KY was one of the best-known hill country gunsmiths… not for making great rifles, but for claiming to be over 130 years old. In part due to his local celebrity, there have been recent efforts to preserve his home despite it being abandoned many years ago. His blacksmith shop was under a rock overhang on the hill behind his house, and he ran a mill on Greasy Creek that flowed through his property.

John Marshall Heath

John Marshall Heath (1831-1901) Gunsmith of Allen County, Kentucky

8. Gunsmith John M. Heath of Allen County, Kentucky, taken about 1900 when 70 years old... and still making rifles.

8. Gunsmith John M. Heath of Allen County, Kentucky, taken about 1900 when 70 years old... and still making rifles.

9. The home of gunsmith John Marshall about 1900 with his wife Samantha and family. John is second from right. The addition behind the house with two chimneys is probably John's gun shop.

9. The home of gunsmith John Marshall about 1900 with his wife Samantha and family. John is second from right. The addition behind the house with two chimneys is probably John's gun shop.

10. John Heath's house as it appears today, still standing but abandoned and deteriorating. The house is on Blankenship Road in Allen County, Kentucky.

10. John Heath's house as it appears today, still standing but abandoned and deteriorating. The house is on Blankenship Road in Allen County, Kentucky.