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Not much is known about J. Hagey. We do know he was on the roles as a gunsmith in Lancaster county according to 1800, 1802 and 1808 tax roles. We know he was a fine gunsmith from the original rifle after which this rifle is patterned. His engraving and carving are of a high quality, and are well suited to the theme of the rifle. His execution of the rifle makes it a better rifle among those to be seen during the time period. This rifle, and the original rifle from which it sprang, is dated circa 1780. That estimate places it in existence during the late Revolutionary War period. Lancaster rifles tended to have a stock profile along the top of the comb and the bottom of the butt which were straight lines leading the eye toward the center of the lock mechanism. Many rifles incorporated a daisy pattern into the patchbox.