Soddy info share

[Ken G]

Angus,
I'd think it is more like 5 miles by 20 linear miles.  The towns of what were Soddy, Daisy, Dallas and Sale Creek.  I say linear miles because those towns are in a line at the base of what is now the Signal Mt. and Dayton Mt.s  Also refered to as Walden's Ridge.   The pass between those two Mts leads into the next valley where you find Pikeville.  (10 to 15 miles) Knowing the two areas are geographicly divided but not that far apart in miles; I can understand why the get together shoots might be popular.  Basicly the two valley communities having a big shin dig.
I perfer entry pipe with skirt myself. 

[northup87]

Thanks so much for the pictures Bill, I do very much like the rifle, and all the close up will be very helpful in this up coming build. I currently have a 60 inch 7/8 straight barrel that will have to be cleaned and dressed, figuring about 58 inches when finished..  Im 6 foot 5 and it should tower over me by a couple inches, I would like to find a blank of black walnut for the rifle, but being from the upper pennisula of michigan, black walnut is a sort of rarity in growth here. If you guys have any telephone numbers of suppliers or mills that might be able to ship small quantities, or even have a plank laying around, Id be more than happy to foot the expenses...  One last question and ill try to be out of everyones hair, and correct me if im wrong my knowledge on locks is very limited, Is the manton style lock used on the soddy daisy and originail that jack dupicted the usual style of lock used in the area or is there some siler styles that floated in there like I also others made with...? thanks so much again guys A.J. Downey

[keweenaw]

Where are you in da UP?  I have a lot of really nice walnut with lengths appropriate for your rifle right in my garage at Hancock.

Tom

[northup87]

Snyder I live in Newberry, If you have something suitable I would definetly be will to make the trip over, Im sure my father would like to come along to and be able to talk to a fellow builer for a while...  The plank Im going to need will be in the neighborhood of 7' x 2" guessing on drop, 10 or 11 inches wide? You can email me your telephone number to mxz77@hotmail.com and I Will get in contact with you...

[G-Man]

AJ - these were rather late flint and percussion era guns.  The locks were typically the late "English" style import or hardware store locks with rounded, crimped or squared tails that were available in the 19th century - I've never seen one with an early continental/ Germanic style lock like a Siler with the long tapered plate - those are about 50 to 80 years too early for these Soddy guns. In addition to the Manton there are a number of other appropriate locks - the Chambers late Ketland, Davis Late Ketland (Square tail), Tip Curtis Late English, etc.  Or just about any common percussion lock

 
Good luck

Guy

[Ken G]

Northup87,
I can say with some degree of certainty that Siler style (Germanic) locks were not commonly used.  I have never seen one on a TN rifle nor have I met anyone that has seen one on a TN rifle.  English styled locks like the Manton or square tailed late English lock Davis sells would be OK.  A Chambers Late Ketland is also good choice.  
Ken

[Sam Everly]

If you want a butt plate ver close to a soddy TOW has one #BP-86. I have a chunk gun along the lines of Old Scaley i used it on . I think it was a copy (Butt plate) from one Louis Smith made. I square up the corner where the top and back meet so it looks more like a forged one than a casting. I used TOW's guard TG-NC , i weld up where the leg and curl meet , i then cut and squared up the front of the bow to look more like Scaleys guard . Ron Borron has some original southern rifle drawings and he has 3 chunk guns between the 2 sets. I think all 3 where from the soddy-daise area.       

[Bill of the 45th]

AJ, Glad you liked the Pics of that Soddy. Also glad yer from Michigan, I'm a Troll. I live in Gaylord, about 60 south of the bridge.  As has been said, any Soddy needs to be an English style, any of the above listed, you put a German lock on that build, and we'll have to take away yer Packers ballcap, and not let you buy Linney's anymore.

Bill

[Steve Bookout]

If I may throw this out to you, I have only seen one hand made lock on a Tennessee gun in all my years.  All the rest were English or American keg locks.  Cheers, Bookie

[Ken G]

Is an American keg lock the same as a hardware store lock? 
Ken

[northup87]

Darn trolls,  You shouldnt be knocken on the packers or lienenkugel like that bill, leinenkugel is a refreshingly delicious beer, and my packers have actually been to the playoffs before just on an off note while your broodin on my 0-16 comment are you a memember of the great lakes fur harvester, my father thought he recognized the name?

[angus]

Angus,
I perfer entry pipe with skirt myself. 

Ken, is that a two piece skirt you are referring to? And how would one go about attaching that? Copper brazed, rivits, nail it to the forearm?

What are you guys thoughts on tangs? Straight back, squared off? Any lollipops or over the comb? Maybe I'm getting a little too much E Tenn into this thought.

[Ken G]

Angus,
The most common Soddy entry pipe seems to be just a pipe.  No skirt.  I like one with a skirt.  one piece, very simple with a thin tail.  Almost a strip of metal the width of the pipe.   
Your moving to what would be upper E. TN with them tang versions.  Every Soddy I have seen was a straight strap tang with 3 screws.  Sometimes rounded on the end or a very blunt V shape. 
I'd love to hear what others have seen if different from my observations. 
Ken

[Bill of the 45th]

AJ, the reason my name is linked with the fur harvesters, is that I handle scheduling at the Northland sportsmen's Club, and they meet here twice a year, because of the membership that are Trolls.

Bill

[G-Man]

Angus - I do not know if any are found on Soddy guns, but on other Tennessee styles that occasionally use two piece entry thimbles, the "skirt" piece is separate - it is inlet and usually held in place with small nails, and a notch filed in the front of it.  The tail of the "pipe" piece just tucks into the notch,  and is pinned in place as usual, but not brazed to the "tail."   The J Gross rifle is a good example, as are some Bean guns.  Again, these are not Soddy Daisy guns though.

Guy

[angus]

Guy and Guy,
Thanks for the input on this topic.

[Steve Bookout]

'Dawg,  a keg lock may or may not be the same as a hardware store lock.  The difference is where it was sold.     Locks were commonly imported/shipped  in kegs, thus the moniker.  Hope that answers your question.    By the by, did you see that old, but unused Blue Grass lock on eBay?  Sold for $31.  Cheers, Bookie