JM Jones, Chatham Ontario. Gunmaker, engraver, Bachelor of Arts in classical studies, and freed slave.

[Londonshooter]

This maker was unknown to me and the following images and text are copied from a social media post by the MET, NYC. Definitely worth checking out the amazing items featured in their Arms and Armor FB pages

Department of Arms and Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art​

This signed rifle and bullet mold were made by James Monroe Jones, one of the few Black gunsmiths and engravers active in the United States and Canada during the mid-nineteenth century—a period when gun ownership by Black people was prohibited in the United States by state “Slave Codes” until the Civil War. The gun features decoration on the lock, barrel, and mounts, including a nature scene on the trigger guard.
Jones was born into slavery in North Carolina in 1821. His father, a blacksmith, purchased his freedom as well as that of his two brothers and his mother in 1842–43. Jones moved with his family to Ohio, where he earned a BA in classical studies at Oberlin College in 1849, becoming the school’s fourth Black graduate. He then began his career as a professional gunsmith and engraver, working in Ohio, California, Oregon, and Chatham, Ontario. Jones exhibited firearms and received awards at the 1859 California State Fair, the Industrial Exhibition in Montreal in August, 1860, and the Provincial Exhibition held in Hamilton, Ontario in 1864. In 1855, the African American abolitionist Samuel Ringgold Ward (1817–ca. 1866) wrote that Jones “stands head and shoulders above any gun-smith west of London,” and “has not his superior as a gunsmith in Canada, if indeed North America."

 

[G261973]

This maker was unknown to me and the following images and text are copied from a View attachment 1063270View attachment 1063271View attachment 1063272View attachment 1063273View attachment 1063274View attachment 1063275View attachment 1063276social media post by the MET, NYC. Definitely worth checking out the amazing items featured in their Arms and Armor FB pages

Department of Arms and Armor at the Metropolitan Museum of Art​

This signed rifle and bullet mold were made by James Monroe Jones, one of the few Black gunsmiths and engravers active in the United States and Canada during the mid-nineteenth century—a period when gun ownership by Black people was prohibited in the United States by state “Slave Codes” until the Civil War. The gun features decoration on the lock, barrel, and mounts, including a nature scene on the trigger guard.
Jones was born into slavery in North Carolina in 1821. His father, a blacksmith, purchased his freedom as well as that of his two brothers and his mother in 1842–43. Jones moved with his family to Ohio, where he earned a BA in classical studies at Oberlin College in 1849, becoming the school’s fourth Black graduate. He then began his career as a professional gunsmith and engraver, working in Ohio, California, Oregon, and Chatham, Ontario. Jones exhibited firearms and received awards at the 1859 California State Fair, the Industrial Exhibition in Montreal in August, 1860, and the Provincial Exhibition held in Hamilton, Ontario in 1864. In 1855, the African American abolitionist Samuel Ringgold Ward (1817–ca. 1866) wrote that Jones “stands head and shoulders above any gun-smith west of London,” and “has not his superior as a gunsmith in Canada, if indeed North America."

 

[scotteboy]

Very cool

 

[tiriaq]

He also made Derringer style pistols, per an ad from 1866.
There is an entry about him in Gooding's "The Canadian Gunsmiths 1608 - 1900".

 

[Londonshooter]

In 1855, the African American abolitionist Samuel Ringgold Ward (1817–ca. 1866) wrote that Jones “stands head and shoulders above any gun-smith west of London,” and “has not his superior as a gunsmith in Canada, if indeed North America."

I think that is a teeny bit hyperbole. Quite sure he was not referring to London, Ontario, only 115km to the east of Chatham.
Jones would have been a contemporary of the Soper gunmaking family of London (Ontario).

 

[antiqueguy]

Neat. Chatham area has a lot of history in Wallaceburg is where a lot of the work was done for the LEE metford/enfield action. One of his prototypes is in the museum there their also a plaque where his brothers foundry use to be on the sydham.