Author Topic: Bearden Pistol from Tennessee  (Read 795 times)

Offline Tanselman

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Bearden Pistol from Tennessee
« on: May 04, 2023, 06:05:58 AM »
There seems to be a big interest in southern mountain rifles these days, particularly those from Tennessee. Here is a small Lucious Bearden pistol from down in Lincoln County, TN. The barrel is correctly signed "L.J.E.B." with all of his initials... but don't ask me what the two middle initials stand for! It's a small, curly maple stocked pistol with barrel measuring 3-15/16" long and a .44 caliber bore. I'm a Bearden fan, and I know several other members here also enjoy his work. It has neat little touches of simple engraving on the guard, butt inlay, tang and breech. Just a neat little gun to look at and play with... and I had nothing better to do this evening, so here it is.

Shelby Gallien









Offline T.C.Albert

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Re: Bearden Pistol from Tennessee
« Reply #1 on: May 04, 2023, 08:44:12 AM »
J.E. stands for Junius Eliphas I believe.
Tim A
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Offline AZshot

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Re: Bearden Pistol from Tennessee
« Reply #2 on: May 04, 2023, 03:48:55 PM »
That is neat.  To me it seems you don't see many southern percussion pistols. 

Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Bearden Pistol from Tennessee
« Reply #3 on: May 04, 2023, 04:11:05 PM »
Very cool. Obvious Henry Deringer influence in the design, but that maple stock gives is a look of its own.
I am the Lead Historian/Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
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Offline Sequatchie Rifle

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Re: Bearden Pistol from Tennessee
« Reply #4 on: May 04, 2023, 07:01:45 PM »
Nice and unusual pistol by a member of a prolific gunmaking family!  Thanks for sharing.
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Offline Cades Cove Fiddler

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Re: Bearden Pistol from Tennessee
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2023, 07:29:52 PM »
 ;) ;)... Nice one, Shelby,.. !!! ... I still have an affinity for the Alfred Bearden rifle you got at auction a few years ago,.. make a post on it some day,.. !!! ... I formerly lived about 20 miles from the Taft Tennessee gunshop   of the Bearden Gunsmiths of Lincoln County,.... !!!