Does anyone know the whereabouts of this firearm?

[jwh1947]

Referring to the early transition piece pictured on pages 90-91 of Shumway's Rifles of Colonial America, Vol. 1.  It used to belong to Don Vaughn.

Does anyone know where this piece is today?

An associate is working on producing a rendition of an early transition arm and we would like to examine it in detail.  Already completed are a Germanic Pattern 1776 Rifle, a British Pattern 1776 Rifle, a Ferguson Breech-Loading Rifle, and a U.S. Model 1800 (Short) Rifle.  All are crisp, professional copies, and we would like to add an early transition Kentucky to this historic grouping.  Thanks, Wayne  

[RifleBarrelGun]

Wayne-- nice rifle.  Not sure where it is, but I have been told that it is actually European walnut, not American.

[jwh1947]

You may be correct.  As a matter of fact, it may well be a restock.  No matter, we need it for comparison to others.

Incidentally, as has been discussed many times, there was English Walnut and European wood here in America.  It was used as ballast in the wooden ships then sometimes offloaded here and replaced with rum and America's plunder for the return voyage. 

Recent scholarly research establishes that some if it was used for roof sub-structure in extant homes in New Orleans.  Other similar wood has surfaced in Wilmington, DE, region.  Perhaps an enterprising gunsmith or two got hold of some by moonlight and saved a few bucks on some guns, too.  Just a thought, and not original with me. 

[RifleBarrelGun]

That is very interesting.  I've seen 18th century references to "Virginia walnut" in England, but not the other way around.

Scott