Skip to main content
Notice: The Library is open for research by appointment only, please visit our research services page for more information.

John Krider, gunsmith business records

Creation: 1842-1939
 Collection
Accession: 0288

Abstract

John Krider (1813-1886) was one of Philadelphia's most prominent gunsmiths during the nineteenth century. This collection consists of fifty-nine account books (1840-1939), including wage accounts (1853-1857), accounts for the repairs of guns (1904-1909), records of daily powder sales (1891-1893), and the treasurer's record for an unidentified gun club.

Dates

  • Creation: 1842-1939

Creator

Extent

30 Linear Feet

Biographical Note

John Krider (1813-1886) was one of Philadelphia's most prominent gunsmiths during the nineteenth century.

Krider opened his shop, located at the corner of 2nd and Walnut streets, in 1837, and operated it for most of his career. During the Civil War, he served as sutler to the 4th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. After the war, Krider concentrated his work on breech-loading shotguns for sportsmen. He also sold other sporting goods, such as fishing tackle and sporting trophies, and engaged in taxidermy. After Krider's death in 1887, the business was carried on by John T. Siner (1821-1902). Around 1903, Leander C. Siner (1851-1942) and Charles Mohr (1867-?) assumed control as L. C. Siner & Co. and continued the business into the 1930s.

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of fifty-nine account books (1840-1939), including wage accounts (1853-1857), accounts for the repairs of guns (1904-1909), records of daily powder sales (1891-1893), and the treasurer's record for an unidentified gun club.

The volumes contain accounts for: birds, stuffing birds and deer heads, dressing deer skins, guns, rifles, revolvers, pistols, powder, wads, cape cartridges, shells, shot, fishing tackle, rods, flies, leaders, hooks, bait, and other merchandise relating to gun and fishing supplies. The volumes also document accounts related to the cleaning, repairing, and loading of guns.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Related Materials

John Krider business records (Accession 0680), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

John Krider receipt book (Accession 0720-V), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

John Krider, gunsmith business papers (Accession 0762), Manuscripts and Archives Department, Hagley Museum and Library.

Language of Materials

English

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title:
John Krider, gunsmith business records
Description rules:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description:
English
Script of description:
Latin

Revision Statements

  • 2021: Laurie Sather

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Manuscripts and Archives Repository

Contact:
PO Box 3630
Wilmington Delaware 19807 USA
302-658-2400