Ambrose Lawing?

[JTR]

I was looking at a pretty nice Tenn. rifle today.
There's no name on it, but the owner has Jerry Nobles book, and the rifle is very similar to one shown in the book by Ambrose Lawing.
The rifle has the same trigger guard, the same cheek piece with 3 or 4 deep incised lines running the length of it, and the same shape cut where the comb meets the wrist.
The tang also runs down the wrist and up onto the comb for a couple inches. It has a two piece banana patchbox, although looks a little smaller in size to the one in the book.
The barrel is about 39 inches long and 36 cal, with an unmarked percussion lock.
What can you guys tell me about Lawing, and what characteristics could I look for on the gun with him as a maker?
Also, who else might have made it?
The stock is a nice piece of curly maple, and the entire gun shows a high degree of workmanship.
Thanks, John

[JTR]

Thanks Jim,
I was down visiting with Mike D today, and he had a couple of your Tennessee books, so brought one home to study.
I have Zero knowledge of Tenn iron mounted guns, so am hoping one of the guys can help me differinchate a Lawing from a Bean
Regards,
John Robbins

[Carper]

I have had several Lawing rifles and all had  his name on the top flat stamped with block letters. The name appeared to be an actual stamp not individual letters. The stamp was faint. As a matter of fact for a decade I thought his name was Loving until I got one with a more clear stamp. Some of his guns had really nice style and some just average. The thing about so many of these Tenn rifles is that despite how nice they are they usually had something odd or just failing to be of great design. Such as the lock being slighty canted or top of the comb at an unusual angle,etc. It is possible that his son used the old man's stamp and the ones with inferior design were his. I know in my own family ( Carper) the sons and grandsons rifles did not compare with the early rifles. I actually had a brass mounted long rifle made by Ambrose Lawing that for years I though was a rebarrel. But then looking a picture of him with some of his rifles using a magnifer saw what appeared to be that exact rifle.  Johnny

[JTR]

Thanks Carper!
This particular rifle is very well made as to fit and finish on both the wood and iron fittings. I guess I should have had my camera!

Also, it seems to me that most tenn. gun I've seen posted here have walnut stocks. This one has a nice piece of curly maple. I suppose that could be considered a minus on this type of gun?

John