AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: WElliott on June 06, 2018, 02:11:02 AM

Title: one of my favorites
Post by: WElliott on June 06, 2018, 02:11:02 AM: This has been one of my favorite rifles for 25 years. It has been my assumption that it originated in SW Virginia. A knowledgeable collector recently suggested to look further south than SW Virginia.

The barrel is 48 3/4" swamped, .50 caliber rifled, overall length 64 3/4", and a 1 5/8" wide buttplate. It has an iron ramrod that was with it during many years of use, judging from some denting on the thimbles. I can imagine that the original hickory ramrod broke at an inopportune moment and the owner declared that would never happen to him again (! )-and had a blacksmith make the iron rod.

Any thoughts on possible origin?
[Photography by Mark Elliott]

(https://preview.ibb.co/f4rtXo/Big_VA_rear_1_2_lockside_copy.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mVe2Q8)

(https://preview.ibb.co/d4Zxso/Big_VA_rear_1_2_offside_copy.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bPFRk8)

(https://preview.ibb.co/cgYwk8/Big_VA_patchbox_copy.jpg) (https://ibb.co/mpOJyT)

(https://preview.ibb.co/jhYe58/Big_VA_lock_closeup_copy.jpg) (https://ibb.co/b7JqCo)
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: VP on June 06, 2018, 05:23:21 AM: Wayne,

No idea as to this rifle's origins, but I can certainly see why you have admired it for so long. It is certainly a beautiful example of a talented gunsmiths work.

VP
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: redheart on June 06, 2018, 06:54:02 AM: That patchbox is absolutely gorgeous,
It is incredibly tastefully done!
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Cades Cove Fiddler on June 06, 2018, 08:07:15 AM: :o : .... very fancy rifle there, Wayne,.... I do not think I have met this one yet,.... has anyone speculated maybe one of the Middle Tennessee gunsmiths of the early Cumberland settlements,...???... thanx for sharing her with us,.... again,... VERY NICE,.... Regards, Cades Cove Fiddler,........
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Shreckmeister on June 06, 2018, 02:09:25 PM: Beautiful rifle. What points to south of SWVA?
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Howard on June 07, 2018, 12:49:24 AM: I can see why it is one of your favorites.
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: jdm on June 07, 2018, 03:08:06 AM: Interesting patch box . I keep thinking I've seen one with that final before. Very nice piece.
Mark does a wonderful job on the photos.
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Shreckmeister on June 07, 2018, 03:25:38 AM: I think I saw that finial before too
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: WElliott on June 08, 2018, 05:22:28 AM: Someone suggested that this rifle may relate to the “Poem” rifle in Dave Hansen’s wonderful book. That rifle has been attributed to the Chattanooga, Tn area.
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Buck on June 09, 2018, 01:51:53 PM: Wayne,

I like it, very attractive rifle.

Buck
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: cshirsch on June 17, 2018, 05:20:16 PM: Very nice.
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: BOB HILL on June 26, 2018, 02:39:47 AM: Don’t know where it came from, but it sure is a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing.
Bob
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Big Wolf on June 26, 2018, 07:20:18 PM: Very nice rifle Wayne!
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Will Payne on June 26, 2018, 10:24:33 PM: She's a beautiful rifle. Nice patch box and stalk.
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Jason C on July 07, 2018, 04:10:16 PM: I am very new here and to the world of long rifles so please excuse my ignorance. Jacob Young did at least one heart shaped patch box finial(I think that’s the right terminology) so maybe this rifle is from him, his father, or someone that worked with him. He was born in Virginia and then came to the middle Tennessee area.

http://www.americanhistoricservices.com/uploads/1/0/3/4/10348480/kra_bulletin_spring_2014_v13_1to11_lres.pdf

Scroll down to the Whitley rifle and look at that patch box.
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Cades Cove Fiddler on July 07, 2018, 06:03:28 PM: ;)... Just read your description again, Wayne,.... I have an old Middle Tennessee rifle that is attributed to Jesse Bean,... it also has an iron ramrod that was with her when I got her,... !!! .... 44" bbl,...
Title: Re: one of my favorites
Post by: Hlbly on July 07, 2018, 06:08:35 PM: One of my Kellar rifles has an iron rod that has been with it for a long time.