OK. Settled down now. DY-NO-MITE rifle. I have see photos of it before and also recall some discussion on it somewhere...probably a thread here on the forum. Don't recall what conclusions were drawn however. I may also have seen it in a printed article sometime in the past. I won't begin to make any conclusive remarks...just don't have that knowledge. Features certainly are "early" so "Augusta" County" being organized in 1745 fits. (Augusta was HUGE when formed.)
I have seen photos of a few rifles attributed to and in one case, signed by John Wilson but I recall they were probably later. Cannot connect features to this rifle specifically to those, yet the old brains seems to feel there are similarities. Also recall that John Wilson was said to probably have been more of a barrel maker than a gun maker. Don't know if that is correct or not. I suppose if he made barrels he might also have made other parts and thus the "JW" may indicate that JW made the butt plate but not necessarily the rifle. John Wilson had his shop along Craig Creek in what is now Botetourt County. I also recall something from Wallace Gusler saying that there were other members of the Wilson family who made guns in what is now Giles County. I have a rifle attributed to Wilson (on a claim made by the seller). Don't see much similarity to yours other than both are sturdy working guns built for the rugged life if the day. So in my mind I'll view that as a John Wilson rifle and then add that it should not be in Richmond. Wilson made it to be in where I live so you need to sell it to me.
BTW, we have done some courthouse research on Wilson. I recall we found his will, an inventory of his estate at the time of death and a hand drawn map of the land he purchased along Craig Creek. Really a neat drawing. BUT nothing specifically indicated he made guns or even owned the wares by which they were produced.
