Question on James Rice Rifle in Jerry Noble Vol. 2

[G-Man]

There is a great, early looking Tennessee rifle by James Rice shown in Jerry Noble's "Notes on Southern Longrifles Volume 2" (page 118 I think), referred to as the "Fitzgerald Gun".  If any of you are familiar with this rifle or have any other photos of it I am curious as to the architecture - specifically does it have a stepped wrist or not?  There is a toe molding that terminates at the rear of the triggerguard and the photo looks like there is a slight recess for the trigger area, but it could just be the shadowing.

PM or e-mail response is fine. Thanks!

Guy

[art riser]

pictured in John Rice Irwin's book...

[G-Man]

Thanks Art - I will have to dig out my copy of that book and check it out.  I did not recall that particular rifle being in Mr. Irwin's book - it looks very different in the photos in Jerry's book. If it is the one in the Irwin book it is definitely not a stepped wrist.

Guy

[Buck]

G - Man,
I just happened to be talking to Jerry Nobel when I happened upon this thread, I read it to him and he stated that the wrist is not stepped, and there is not a recess at the trigger area. He did however tell me that he has both rifles that are pictured , and the one pictured below has 3 grease holes .

[G-Man]

Thanks Buck!  I had never seen a Rice gun with a stepped wrist, but could not tell from that photo as the shadows around the underside of the wrist area where the molding terminates looked sort of like it could have had one.  Great looking rifle anyway. There are a number of James Rice attributed rifles I have seen that I really like - his best work was really sleek.  Didn't seem to use patchboxes much though.

Guy

[Sequatchie Rifle]

Guy- I sent you a "PM".
Bill