RESEARCH ON TENNESSEE MOUNTAIN RIFLE by Robin C. Hale

[Bombman]

I was researching the building of a TN Mountain Rifle for my fall/winter 2014 build and came across this research done by Robin Hale in 1970. I found it very interesting and thought I would share it here. This is my first post of few, as I spend more time reading the older, wiser postings of the forum. http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/B023_hALE.pdf

[Steve Bookout]

We are lucky to live in the days we do.  When Robin was alive, (revered is his memory by me) would sell copies of his speech for $10.  (The Internet now makes many things possible and often much less expensive.)  I still have the copy he gave me when he took me under his wing years ago and long before my hair was white.  His interest, once he realized I was serious about SMRs, gave me my start down this road and is why I dedicated a book to him.  Many of the features on my Southern mountain rifles can be traced directly back to his tutelage.  He examined the first barrel I ever rifled and declared it good. Spieling off  Southern rifle details to you, there was no arguing about it.  He knew his heart's desire forwards and backwards and you paid attention or find him not wasting his time on you.  Now, sometimes, on a long winter's evening, I'll drag out a bundle of letters from him over the years and reread them.  I feel that he was more a important figure concerning Southern guns that many give him credit for. 

[Bombman]

Mr. Bookout,
I see that you are a Viet Nam Vet. Thank you for your service. I have been enlisted in the Army for the last 12 years.1 tour to Bosnia, 1 to Kosovo, 2 tours to Iraq and 1 to Afghanistan with another coming up later this year.  Nothing to compare to your experiences,  I am sure.
 I am currently working on putting together parts for my second build which will be a Tennessee Mountain Rifle. I was trying to research as to the commonality of brass to iron fixtures and how much adornment was generally put into them. Reading Mr. Hale's speech I found that some were very heavily adorned as compared to my previous thoughts on the subject of "all" TMR's being simple and plain. I do not see myself going as in depth as to forge my own barrels or locks, but I will be fully carving my stock from a blank, etc., and purchasing my locks, barrel, trigger, etc. I am caught between a M3 grade maple stock and a well figured Walnut stock. 
I am wanting your opinion regarding TMR's.
I have seen a few with ridiculously long tangs, sometimes going up over the comb? Is this historically correct? If so, how common was it?
I am planning on using a 42" barrel in .45. Should I use 2 or 3 ramrod thimbles? Entry thimble?
Were they mostly adorned with incise carving or relief? 
What was the most common drop at the heel of the buttstock?
Most common barrel length and caliber?
With or without barrel cap? Length of barrel cap? I have seen some with 1-1.5" others with none.

My opinion on the Tennessee mountain rifle is that it seems to be the catch all for most of the other gunsmith schools as a lot of them were built from what was on hand in the remote area where the gunsmith resided, others were built to survive the ruggedness of the area in which it was to be used. They were hard use guns built for a rugged and adventurous people.

Thank You..

[mountainman70]

Bombman,thank YOU for your service.Many vets on here,all mostly squared away,ceptin mebbe my'self.Still a bit nutty.USAF will do that to a young man.,$#*!,I was nuts before I raised my right hand.SMR's are a big part of a lot of our hearts.Much info here,check out the virtual museum,lots of eye candy there.I am currently building  iron mtd SMR flinter.Have several rifles in the works,but just got plum enthused on this build.Best regards,keep your head down,spirits up.Dave F in the WVa hills

[Steve Bookout]

Hi Bombman.  Will send a PM so we don't clog the airwaves with this.

[kaintuck]

That was a good read...I am now running toward Kentucky rifles in my builds. I find that they are greatly favored with virginia, south Carolina's and eastern tenn....walnut and maple are two woods I work with, the open pores of the walnut are a pain....but it's always a dark hunting rifle that comes out good in the end!
I am happy to report also, that ALOT of Ky rifles were plain with straight barrels....no PB at all, so making these HC will be more fun than work!

Keep us all in the loop with your build, and hope your careful on your deployment to sandland.....that part of the world stays on fire.....
Marc

[whetrock]

Bombman, thanks for the link. I have an old Xerox copy of the Hale article, but the images in the old Xerox are no where near as clear as the pdf you linked us to. Thanks.

Whet

[rsells]

Bombman,
Iron mounted Southern rifles are close to my heart as well.  The long tangs are common and the norm for some builders.  Robin's booklet helped to push me along with my building back in the 70's, and I still drag it out now and again.  I would recommend that you get a copy of Jerry Nobel's "Notes on Southern Long Rifles" if possible.  It is a great set of reference books on Southern rifles.  Jerry has 4 volumes of soft bound books available.  His address is:  Jerry Noble, 414 N.E. 7th Ave, Aledo, Il, 61231.  His phone number is 309-582-2852.  Good luck with your build.  Stay safe on your next tour.
                                                                                        Roger Sells

[Bob Roller]

These rifles have always been my first choice among long rifles and my next choice goes to an extreme and they are the high quality English target and sporting rifles.
The new Broadside has a picture of Roger Sells long rifle and that one is a beautiful job and I'm looking forward to seeing it at the CLA show in August.

Bob Roller

[Hessian]

Thanks for sharing that PDF Bombman!

Hessian

[Ryan McNabb]

This is also an excellent book you would do well to get.

http://www.amazon.com/Gunmakers-Buffalo-Valley-Greasy-Tennessee/dp/1570723362

If possible you should attend the huge Tennessee rifle show put on every April at the Museum of Appalachia.  I don't know where you live, but if you can make it you'll never see more and better original Appalachian rifles together in one place. 

[horseman]

Great read!  Thank you for the link.

[fm tim]

The American Society of Arms Collectors web site has a number of good articles about longrifle builders, horns, etc.

http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/resources/articles/