Research assistance request- Spotted Tail Agency

[badger70]

Hello!
I'm a new member and I'm trying to run down a name from the Spotted Tail Agency area in around 1865-1869. I collect Native used firearms from the 1800's, and I'm searching for a name of a gunsmith who worked in that area. We have many stories of this man working on guns for he Sioux and possibly Cheyenne and I have a number of pieces that were altered or repaired professionally using methods of the day. I want to know who the gunsmith was. It will help authenticate a number of weapons collected from the area that are bound for a museum soon.

Here is what I know about him:
Male somewhere between 30 and 40 years of age at the time
Born in Germany
Worked for Colt's Manufacturing in Europe as a gunsmith or "pistol maker"
Was brought to America on the "fast-track" immigration system of the times, specifically to work for Colt in the US during late Civil War/ early Indian Wars
Quit Colt and started a blacksmith/ gunsmith operation somewhere in or near Spotted Tail Agency
Worked on guns and other metal work for both sides of the conflict

This information was received from direct descendants of tribal members.

If anyone knows, or could point me toward a resource, I would be very grateful. Thanks in advance, and thanks for approving me to this site!
Tony

[Dietmar]

Welcome Tony,

it´s not that I haven´t read your request. However, it seems no one has found an answer yet. There are some agency records of later years, but they haven´t helped.

Please have a little patience... ;-)

[ephriam]

This will be a challenge. The Whetstone Agency was not established until 1868 and did not become known as the Spotted Tail Agency until the 1870s. Trade in weapons and ammunition were illegal after 1876, so traders like Francis C. Boucher got out of the business. Have not come across any record of a German gunsmith in that area. Sorry could not be of more help.