Unusual Catawba Valley North Carolina Longrifle

[mbriggs]

This Longrifle was purchased from a family in Iredell County.  From the barrel tang to the muzzle it is very similiar to Longrifles made by Iredell County Gun Smith Daniel Speck.  From the barrel tang to butt plate it is somewhat unique to this School. The forestock molding and termination with extended scroll work is a feature that is often found in the Catawba Valley School.  The forestock inlays and two screw side plate are also typical of this School.

The Patchbox on this Longrifle has a finial that is somewhat like is found on the Mecklenburg School Longrifles.  One of the things that makes this Patchbox different is that it is side hinged.  This is only the third North Carolina I have seen with a side hinged Patchbox.  A second feature that is unusual is that the Patchbox release is on the top of the butt plate.  I do not remember having seen this on any other North Carolina Longrifle.

I only study North Carolina Longrifles, not Longrifles from other Schools or States.  Have any of you seen a Patchbox like this in other States?  Is the Patchbox release in the top of the butt plate used in another School outside of North Carolina?

All comments or information will be appreciated.  

 

 





Close up of Patchbox





Close up of the forestock molding termination with extended scrolls.





Patchbox release



Catawba Valley style side plate



Cheek rest



Barrel tang



Thanks

Michael

[wildcatter]

A friend of mine has a rifle he bought years ago in an antique shop in eastern NC with a side hinged patchbox that releases on top of the butt plate.  I will see if I can get some pictures and post them for you.

[bgf]

Nice rifle.  The first thing I though about with the finial is Schroyer, and although it is not a complete match to any one I can find, it isn't dissimilar.  Also seems to have the same release location, although not a side opener.

Here's one
http://www.kentuckylongrifles.com/html/george_shroyer.html

Anyway, you probably already knew, but I thought I would mention it -- maybe a connection to York school somewhere?

Also, I'm confused by the little projection beside (over?) the lid -- does it serve any purpose?

[mbriggs]

Wildcatter, I look forward to seeing those pictures.

BGF, I see what you are talking about.  I belive that it is possible that this Longrifle was made by a Gun Smith in the Catawba Valley that had recently moved to North Carolina and had been here long enough to pick up some local features but still build a Patchbox and release of the style he had learned back up North.

I am not sure there is any function on the projection over the lid.  Bryan LeMaster displayed a Longrifle at the KRA a couple of years back with D. Boone engraved in the side plate.  That rifle had a similiar Patchbox finial and a projection.  Boone lived within 10 miles of Iredell County when he was in North Carolina.  My rifle was made a number of years later around 1830 I would guess.  Bryan told me that he had seen a Honaker Virginia Longrifle with a similiar projection on it.

Michael  

[wildcatter]

Here are the pictures.  I was wrong on the patchbox release, it is on the bottom of the butt.  Anyway,the rifle was purchased from a family in Newbern, NC.  There were cresent moons at the rear of the side plates.  The flash makes the patchbox lid look a different metal but is is all brass. The gun is unsigned but as hunters's stars punched on the barrel flat.  They also gave pictures and letters of the gun going back over 150 years. Neat gun, they also provided the original flintlock that it was converted from but I didn't have time to take pics of it. 

[Sequatchie Rifle]

Wildcatter- thanks for sharing those photos- that rifle has some unusual characterisitcs.  When do you suppose it was made?

Bill

[mbriggs]

Wildcatter,
Thank you for posting those photos.  Even though that Longrifle was found and purchased in Eastern North Carolina, I do not see anything on it that makes me think it was made in this state.

Guns did travel.  I have purchased North Carolina Longrifles in over a dozen states.  That is an interesting rifle and I enjoyed looking at it.

Michael

[Tom Currie]

William Antes PA most likely 1770s

[wildcatter]

Michael,

I don't really know much about the gun other then it was in a family a long time and has a side hinge patchbox.  I really only follow VA Valley Rifles, SC rifles, and Civil War stuff.  I really don't know much about NC rifles which is why I have purchased Bill's book.  I find it interesting how the gun schools in NC have some VA valley influence and how some of my SC rifles have NC influence.  Thanks for all the information and I will forward your remarks to the owner.  Your right, guns traveled far and wide.

Thanks,

Matt