AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: ncblksmth1 on October 21, 2010, 07:08:36 AM

Title: Frank Burton
Post by: ncblksmth1 on October 21, 2010, 07:08:36 AM

I have a rifle made by F. Burton of Winston Salem.   The patchbox is engraved to my Grandfather from William Reynolds.  The number on the rifle is 109.   It appears to be a NC style longrifle in 45 cal.
The wood is exquisite

Is there anyone here who has info on this rifle and its possible value as well as the shootability

Title: Re: Frank Burton
Post by: G-Man on October 22, 2010, 05:22:29 AM

You might want to check with Jim Chambers.  As I recall, there was a rifle built by John Bivins and Frank Burton in the 1960s shown on here a few months back.

Guy

Title: Re: Frank Burton
Post by: Rick Sheets on October 22, 2010, 11:04:04 PM

Frank Burton used to display his rifles and carve during the NC State Fair in "The Village of Yesteryear."
As a kid I would go every day I could and stand and watch him. He never rushed me and was a true gentleman!

I wonder how many kids were inspired by Mr. Burton.

NCBlacksmth1, would you PLEASE post a picture of your rifle?

Thanks,
Rick

Title: Re: Frank Burton
Post by: D. Buck Stopshere on February 10, 2011, 03:34:31 AM

When I arrived in Fayetteville, NC in September of '70, courtesy of "Uncle Sam", I asked around for a muzzleloading gun club, and was pointed to the Fayetteville Arsenal Muzzle Loading Gun Club. There, I met up with Lew Sanchez. I was assigned to the Special Forces HQ, and Lew was the Property Book Officer for the 82nd Airborne Division.

We got "wind" of a gunsmith operating a gunmaker's shop in the Cardinal Shopping Center in Winston-Salem, NC, and paid Frank Burton a visit. We came away from there having each of us purchasing a flint longrifle in one of the Penn. styles for $ 350.00. Mr. Burton favored the Lancaster School patterns from Joe Kindig’s book, “Thoughts on The Ky Rifle in the Golden Age”. Lew's rifle was #102, and mine was #103. So I think your rifle was made maybe 1971-72.

Frank introduced us to his resident engraver, Jack Spain, whose work "bit" Lew badly. Lew went home to order engraving tools from Frank Mittermeir out of NY. Frank then introduced Lew later to a gunsmith working out of, as I recall, the second oldest house in Old Salem. The gunsmith was John Bivins. That was the beginning of a lasting relationship.

I'll have to do some more 'recollecting', but Frank moved to Pawley's Island, SC where he lived until dying of cancer.

Might have some photos somewhere.

Hope this helps,

Buck Buchanan
Fayetteville, NC

Field Rep-NC
NMLRA

Title: Re: Frank Burton
Post by: ncblksmth1 on February 11, 2011, 03:58:30 PM

Thanks gentlemen for the info.    My Grandad was presented the rifle back in the 70's so I guess youre right.    Any approximation of the insurance value?

Bob

Title: Re: Frank Burton
Post by: Clowdis on February 11, 2011, 06:03:33 PM

Value is really going to depend on what the rifle looks like and how elaborate it is, how much carving is on it and how is it engraved. By 109 Frank should certainly have mastered his craft. Can you post some photos?