T. W. Tignor, Richmond, VA

[DFHicks]

A friend of mine has purchased a half stock rifle of the "Hawken-type" .  It has a patent breech, set triggers, pewter nose cap and German silver butt plate and trigger guard. The barrel is a little over 1" and  about 50 caliber.  The ramrod ferrules are steel with grooves filed at each end which gives a barrel effect. The stock appears to be English walnut but that is uncertain.
The odd thing is that the top flat of the barrel is stamped  _ T. W. Tignor, Richmond, VA._  The lock is stamped _ T. W. Tignor_.  I say "odd thing" as there would be no use at all for such a rifle in eastern Virginia by the 1840's - "50's.  Has anyone ever seen this name?  Maybe this is a gun produced by an arms manufacturer and stamped "Tignor" who was simply a retailer of arms?  The really bad news is that a broken wrist and other small repairs were done with glaring yellowish epoxy.  This was probably done in the 1970's with the 24 hour epoxy of the time.
Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

D.F.Hicks

[gibster]

In Gardner's book, AMERICAN GUNSMITHS, he lists T. W. Tignor as a "Gunmaker of Richmond Va., 1858-75. On Main Street between 17th and 18th Streets, 1858-60.  It could be a rifle that he made for someone headed west.  Hope this helps.

[DFHicks]

Gibster,
Thanks for the information that certainly identifies the maker of this rifle.  The address given for Tignor would have been the heart of the commercial district back then.  Why he made such a gun is likely just what you said.
Regards,
D.F.

[ricketts1]

Thomas W. Tignor was in Richmond making guns as early as 1854. He ran an advertisement in the May 10, 1854 Richmond Daily Dispatch looking for an apprentice to "learn the gunsmith business".

In Gardner's book, AMERICAN GUNSMITHS, he lists T. W. Tignor as a "Gunmaker of Richmond Va., 1858-75. On Main Street between 17th and 18th Streets, 1858-60.  It could be a rifle that he made for someone headed west.  Hope this helps.