Help needed w/ Southeastern KY squirrel/hog rifle build

[tbarnes66]

For my second build, I’m planning a flintlock squirrel/hog rifle in the So. Mountain/TN early 1800’s style. I already have a Colerain 42” swamped barrel in .36 cal with a “lollipop” tang. While initially leaning towards cherry, I’m now leaning towards maple w/ a late Ketland Chambers lock.

On the advice of J.D. on a different post, I was looking through the virtual museum at the “Tennessees” and was intrigued by the rifle from J. Atkinson. While there was some debate about its actual location and date due to one of the numbers of the date being hard to read, it states: “the butt architecture, four pipes, diamond inlays, and scooped cheek were all used in areas of southeastern KY with TN influences. ..as was the modified "inverted T" side plate. The relatively snug side facing around the lock plate is more frequently found in KY than TN for guns in this mixed state area.” There is also mention of it being an example of the “Cumberland Plateau region” which is the first and only time I’ve seen this phrase used.

This is the first time I have heard that rifles from this area of southeastern KY had unique attributes. Being born and raised in KY, I would like to pattern my rifle after this area. And yes, as a matter of fact, when I cut myself with a sharp chisel it does leave blue stains. 

While I have not read the recently released book “Kentucky Gunmakers 1775-1900” by Shelby Gallien, it is on my bucket list. However, from what limited info I have, it seemed to concentrate on the Lexington, Louisville schools which are not applicable for this build.

After all this, my question is how did the rifles built in southeastern KY in the early 1800’s differ from what is generally considered to be a “Tennessee”? Or, where is this info/pictures available?

Thanks, Tim

[whetrock]

You may want to contact Mel Hankla. I think of him as a specialist in KY rifles and history.

Mel Hankla
PO Box 167
Hitchins, KY 41146

Work Phone: (270) 566-3370 (cell)
Email: melhankla@amhiss.com
Website: http://americanhistoricservices.com


Re the plateau, those of us from “TANuhsee” (as Wade Patton affectionately puts it) are well acquainted with it. Any time we drive east or west on interstate 40, we climb up or down the side of it, just west of Knoxville.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumberland_Plateau

[rsells]

The J. Atkinson rifle is one that was in my family for 95 years and got out of the family for about 15 years before I was able to acquire it.  The date on the barrel is Aug. 24, 1807.  I am not sure if the rifle was originally made in VA or restocked at a later date in the TN/KY area.  It is one of the most decorated iron mounted Southern rifles I have seen.  Gary Noble has a rifle in one of his reference books that he referenced as being made by William Douglas that I feel sure was made by J. Atkinson due to the cheek configuration and profile of the rifle.  It is not as decorated as the rifle I own.  I also own a William Douglas rifle as well and the characteristics of the rifle in Noble's book is not similar to my Douglas rifle or other rifles I have seen marked "WD".  The rifle was purchased by one of my cousins in Albany, KY in 1905.

I researched the Atkinson family and there were multiple J. Atkinsons in the family in four genersations.  The earliest I was able to find was  born in VA in 1780 and moved to Fentress Co, TN (Jamestown, TN area).  Henry Atkinson, son of J. Atkinson from VA had two sons James Atkinson and Joel Atkinson.  I don't have the info in front of me now, so I can't give you the details of the other J. Atkinson.   The Atkinson family trail in TN started in Jamestown, TN, then on to Albany, KY /Static, TN (on TN and KY state line), and finally to Monticello, KY area.  If you look on the map, the family locations were along the TN / KY border to start with then on North to Monticello, KY.  The Cumberland Plateau area kind of starts in the Jamestown, TN , Crossville, TN , and Monterey, TN area and extends Eastward from there.  Hope this will be of help.
                                                      Roger Sells

  

[WadePatton]

from earlier post:


wow, i never thought much of the plateau extending so far north and south.

I'm on the Highland Rim (avg 1000') which stands above the Nashville Basin (~600') on both east and west sides (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highland_Rim).  The Cumberland Plateau is ~1800'. 

Travelers between Nashville and Chattanooga will know Monteagle (the "Rock") as it is a narrow segment of Cumberland Plateau and the only mountainous grade between the two cities.  The world famous Short Mountain (my county) is a bit of Cumberland Plateau that drifted off to the west and stands alone.  Otherwise my county is split between Nashville Basin and Highland Rim.  If you see limestone-you're not up on the Highland Rim yet.  If you see sand, you're up on the Plateau.

I ride a bicycle all over all of it.    Don't know much about rifles...here to learn.