Need some info on this builder if anyone is familiar

[Dennis Glazener]

A young man contacted me since these two gun are marked "Gillespie" on the locks. He inherited them down through his family line. He said his grandfather had them built back in the 60's. He has no other information on them. I suspect the builder was the "L. Bee" marked on the barrel flat. I also suspect his grandfather was familiar with the Gillespie Rifles that were so well known in the NC/SC area where he once lived. He also lived in OH at some point and the young man was unsure where he lived when the guns were built. Anyone recognize anything about the guns? I hope we might be able to give him some information. They appear to be well made guns.
Dennis

[General]

A young man contacted me since these two gun are marked "Gillespie" on the locks. He inherited them down through his family line. He said his grandfather had them built back in the 60's. He has no other information on them. I suspect the builder was the "L. Bee" marked on the barrel flat. I also suspect his grandfather was familiar with the Gillespie Rifles that were so well known in the NC/SC area where he once lived. He also lived in OH at some point and the young man was unsure where he lived when the guns were built. Anyone recognize anything about the guns? I hope we might be able to give him some information. They appear to be well made guns.
Dennis

Beautiful guns for sure.  I wish I could afford something like that.  Someday, I hope.  Thanks for sharing them.

[halfstock]

Dennis: Those may say Gillispie (sp) but I would venture to say that the locks at least are made to look like an original Lehman.

[Dennis Glazener]

Dennis: Those may say Gillispie (sp) but I would venture to say that the locks at least are made to look like an original Lehman.

Oh I agree. There is nothing Gillespie looking about either of them. I feel sure the grandfather had always heard about the Gillespie rifles built in his area. Probably had never seen one and just had the name put on his because he was familiar with the Gillespie name.
Dennis

[8905c]

I realize this post is a couple of years old, but just wondering if you found any information on L. Bee?

[T*O*F]

just wondering if you found any information on L. Bee?

It seem to me that there is an accomplished engraver named Leonard Bee.  Jerrywh might be able to confirm this info.  I think the guy now signs his work with a small engraved bee.  Given the age of the guns, he could have made them when he was just starting out. 


As for the locks marked Gillespie, I have an original double rifle and the locks are both marked Gillespie in Old English script.  The stock has English styling, but the barrels suggest American manufacture.  The gun came out of Wyoming and had been brought there from somewhere back east by the guy's ancestors.

[8905c]

Well, I wanted to check with Dennis to make sure he hadn't already received information on this builder, and he told me that he hasn't. The builder of these guns is Larry Bee from Zanesville Ohio. Larry was a very accomplished builder and authority on muzzleloading guns. His workmanship is excellent. Unfortunately, Larry passed in 2008, at the age of 70. Hopefully, this information will still be pertinent to the owner of these well made guns.

[Dennis Glazener]

Good to know, I wish I could remember who contacted me about finding more information about the guns but I just don't remember who it was.
Dennis

[t.caster]

An interesting combo of rifle and pistol, since both are lefthanded....and appear to be made from the same birdseye maple plank! Fine work too.