Jacob Kuntz and Peter Kuntz were brothers. Both were trained in Allentown and both were taxed as
gunsmiths in Whitehall Township, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. Jacob Kuntz was born on September 6,
1780, and died on August 6, 1876. Peter Kuntz was born in 1791 and died in 1862. Jacob Kuntz is
listed in thc tax records of Northhampton County as a gunsmith in Whitehall Township in 1807.
Ten years later, in 1817, Peter Newhard appears in the tax list as a gunsmith.
In 1810, Jacob moved t o Philadelphia where, after a brief apprenticeship of six months, he began
his gunsmithing career. In 1812 he married Barbara Newhard, born May 16, 1786, daughter of Michael
Newhard and niece of Peter Newhard. In 1813 Jacob Kunth advertised that he was open for business
as a gunsmith. Jacob was an excellent craftsman. He made a pair of sterling-fitted pistols used
by Commodore Rarron and Commodore Decatur in their famous duel in 1820. In 1833 the Franklin
Institute of Philadelphia awarded him asilver medal for his skill and ingenuity. His products
were sought after by wealthy sportsmen of the period. Jacob is buried in the Union Cemetery in Allentown.
One other Newhard, Elizabeth Newhard, born August 27, 1771 married John Moll, gunsmith of Allentown.
Maker of Deringer-Style Pocket Pistols. Eight air-guns are marked Kunz/Kuntz. It is possible
that he baught them from Isaiah Luken and sold them under his name.
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