Trying to get some opinions on this one

[wildcatter]

Below are some pictures of a rifle I can't seem to figure out. It was acquired in South Carolina from a family in the upstate. All the furniture is iron, I think, except the trigger guard may be silver and the barrel keys are wooden? I can't pin down any solid characteristics look for some help.

[Larry Luck]

A magnet should help with the triggerguard material question. 

The buttplate and patchbox do not appear consistent with the triggerguard and breechplug finial, and my first thought was a restock, but I could easily be wrong.  My impression is the acorn is a recurring theme in western Virginia/West Virginia rifles, so there may be some connection.  But these are wild speculations.  I'd like to see a more knowledgeable response.

Larry Luck

[vtbuck223]

That side plate is a very odd shape....but obviously very intentionally so....initially I was thinking....what state is that a shape of...but doesn't seem close to any....maybe a particular county within a state? I would like to hear what those more knowledgeable think about it.

[WElliott]

What did the upstate SC family you acquired it from know about it? 

[wildcatter]

Not much if I remember correctly, it's been about 10 years. Picked it up from a friend of mine in Anderson SC. His family has been in the state since 1800's and the gun supposedly was I the family for years.  I pulled it out of my chest over the weekend to let it breathe a little since it hasn't seen light in about 2 years. When I looked at it all the questions came back to me so I posted it on here.

[homerifle]

I would like to say that all though the rifle has a acorn patchbox it has no characteristics of a Hampshire county West Virginia/ Virginia rifle. A rifle of that period from that area wouldn't have a release in the toe, most all were friction lid box's , the finial of the box isn't consistent with the area as well as the forearm, or lock panels. How ever I do believe it might have some identity with the southern part of the Shenandoah  valley and North Carolina. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

[Shreckmeister]

That's a great rifle. I hope you figure out where it came from.

[Bible Totin Gun Slinger]

I've seen that same hardware before, and the fact it's a Cap Lock narrows things down, I bet somebody will see these picks here and know just what it is.  Might be in the Foxfire Books I seen it.

[sz]

Ya know, this may be way off base, but I have to tell you guys anyway.

That rifle sure looks like a few I handled that were made in California back in the 1855-1870 era.
In fact it's nearly identical.

Is it possible that rifle somehow made its way east instead of being made in the east?

[WElliott]

I am not seeing anything that strikes me as Southern. That may mean that it is just that.