Keith - Looks like the barrel was cut about 3" off breech, plus anything that might have been cut off at muzzle, so at least 44" to begin with, which is about right for central KY. The gun has a number of features from the cental Bluegrass region, but also a couple that aren't commonly seen on those guns. The side plate has softened "horns" on either side of the top lock bolt, which is expected, but I've never seen a side plate from that area that's as long as this one without the front bolt hole.... except a single example from up in Bracken Co. Lexington style rifles by gunsmiths with NC roots usually have longer tangs with two bolts, while Bluegrass gunsmiths with VA roots often used this style tang with a single bolt... so perhaps the gunsmith was trained in VA, or trained in KY by an older gunsmith originally trained in VA.
I think this is an early percussion gun, mid-to-late 1830s. If later, the side plate would be simpler. It is possible it was a late flintlock (made in early percussion era) with the commonly seen double throat "military" style cock that does not require a relief cut in the stock above the cock. Such locks were common on late flintlocks with rounded tails, such as late flint Golcher locks, and single bolts were not uncommon on such locks in KY. The butt plate is a later style as well, and does not have the expected raised ridge on the top extension of a Bluegrass gun. The second independent spur off the guard's bow is also unusual, coming off the bow farther forward than normal for a double spurred style guard. So it has features of a central Bluegrass region gun, but also a few uncommon details that seem to indicate, if from the Bluegrass, perhaps a fringe area, and most probably the northern area up toward the river, based on the guard style with the doubled tipped rear spur. I also think the first initial on the barrel could be a "T" but haven't found any probable matches with the various possibilities, other than John Clinkenbeard, but I'll keep looking. I look forward to seeing the gun in February. Shelby Gallien
