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Here is Ron Gabel's answer to question number 7106

Question:

Hello Ron, First I want to say thank you for all the information contained in your site. It is very informative and helpfult to a novice such as myself. I am the classic 'we've had this in my family for a long time' writer. I recently found it in a trunk of other items and thought it high time to get to the bottom of it. There was no notationn except that the wrapping stated 'Pistol'. I have learned from your site that it is a Tryon of Philadelphia firearm probably manufactured by George Tryon sometime in the early 1800's. Please go to this webpage to see pix of it- http://homepage.mac.com/timransom/PhotoAlbum7.html. They are of mixed quality but show clearly the Tryon markings and the Philadelphia one as well. Any thoughts? It is a beautiful (if simple) firearm and one that I think was passed down within our family. We go way back- our great, great, great, etc was wounded at the Battle of Brooklyn (or Long Island) in the Revolutionary War. I had hoped this might have been his weapon but that is impossible based on when George Tryon started his company. I look forward to any thoughts/advice you have and thank you in advance for them. TR

Answer:

The first of the American Tryon gunsmiths was George W. Tryon who apprenticed to a gunsmith named Getz in Philadelphia PA. In 1811 he became the partner of his employer, the firm being known as Tryon & Getz. A few years later he purchased his partners interest, and continued the business in his own name, founding the firearms house that for a hundred years bore the name "TRYON". A look at your pistol would suggest it was made circa 1815 - 1830 and is a fine example of the work of Tryon.

Submitted By: Tim Ransom On: 11/28/2004 10:35:06 PM