Several signed rifles by Washington Hatfield exist, at least two photographs exist of him holding a distinctive Hatfield rifle, and several period references to him being a gunsmith, document his occupation. He signed his guns and other items with "W H" in block letters, little punch marks at the end of each long cut in the signature. He also made knives and other blacksmith-related items. His nose caps were distinctive, thus the request to see the cap on this rifle. I have never seen a Hatfield rifle...and I've handled several...as decorated as this one, and most guns were stocked in walnut, so I'd go slow on attributing this gun to Hatfield until we can get full coverage of all its details, including muzzle cap, tang, rear ramrod pipe, wear plate, and closer pictures of guard and from underside of guard. Shelby Gallien
