I recently acquired a small, unsigned southern pistol, stocked in curly maple, that I think was made by Pleasant Wilson of Clay County, Kentucky, down in Kentucky's southeastern hill country. I'd like to get opinions from others on where they think the pistol may have been made. My reasoning for a possible Pleasant Wilson attribution includes:
1. He made southern style, iron mounted guns in curly maple with distinctive architecture [among the best in KY].
2. His front triggers have a small, rectangular tab behind them, very much like the trigger on this pistol.
3. He made very slim, delicate stocks... and this pistol is slim with a thin butt/grip.
4. He used small, oval inlays with a center pin... not the lozenge-shape with pointed ends seen on many southern pistols.
5. He at times used small, unique details not common to southern guns... and this pistol has no wedge, an odd-shaped lock plate, very southern style finial on the guard, and an odd-shaped side lug for the nipple.
6. He used small ovals for his thumb inlay, with center pin attachment.
That's a lot of "small stuff" with no single large, defining detail, but it tips me toward a Pleasant Wilson attribution. Dimensions are: barrel 4-1/4"; across flats 13/16"; bore .43 caliber; total length 7-3/4"
Shelby Gallien
For comparison purposes, here's a Pleasant Wilson rifle to check details with.
