Alabama Rifles Flint-early percussion ?

[54ball]

 I know that longrifles were made in my state.  I also remember that the remains of a fine early longrifle was found in a indian warrior's grave in North Alabama.
 It is documented that Washington's Indian agent Benjamin Hawkins sent blacksmiths and gunsmiths to the territory in the years preceding the Creek War of 1813.  Also the extreme Southern part of the state was in the 15th British Colony of West Florida.  So again we know that arms were produced in iron rich Alabama.  We or should I say I,  just don't know much about the arms produced.
 Do any of you have any knowledge or opinions on the arms, namely longrifles  produced in Alabama from 1790-1890? 
 

[Mike Brooks]

Jerry Nobel has some knowledge of these.

[Sean]

Yup, Jerry Noble's books.  Volume II has a discussion of the location of Warrior Mountain in Alabama where John Bull worked after moving from TN.  I'm sure you can find Jerry's contact here or in the archives of the old board.  He publishes and sells them himself.  Great resource on southern rifles.

Sean

[PINYONE]

Hey Alabama- if you want to see a great early flint rifle from ole Alabama, get on your Mule and go down to Mobile, then go to The City of Mobile Museum and check out the rifles and horns, there is an early Flintlock Longrifle with pouch- horn and accoutrements made by Dade & Reynolds, it was made in Mobile.  Thank you very much!

[mike e]

David Kennedy had a gun factory at Greenhill in Lauderdale County in the 1820's.
I can get Jerry Noble's address and number later this evening. His books have pictures of Bull rifles and two by James G. Perry of Limestone County(1850-1860).

Also, there used to be a nice fancy longrifle with brass patchbox at the Horseshoe Bend Battlefield museum that was given to a Cherokee chief. Don't know if its still there or not or where it was made.

[54ball]

 Thanks to all of Y'all.  You have got pointed in the right direction.  I am very impressed with the knowledge on this board.  This information will really help me with my upcoming rifle build.
 mike e thanks for the info on the Tennessee Valley makers and Nobles information.
 Pinyone, Thanks for the information on the Mobile rifle.  I'll try to get down there as I hunt in Clarke County.
Sean, Thanks for the info about Nobles books.  My family has camped in the Warrior Mountains.  It's one of our favorite places.
 Mike Brooks, Your general knowledge of early American arms is nothing short of amazing.

[mike e]

Jerry Noble's number is (309)582-2852. His books, "Notes on Southern Longrifles" are self published. I have #1 & 2 but I think there are #3 & 4 also.

[WElliott]

These gentlemen have put you on the right track.  Lauderdale  County and Moore County, Alabama, had numerous gunsmiths, including John Bull who moved there from Tennessee ca. 1823.  David and Hiram Kennedy  moved to Lauderdale County from North Carolina about 1820 and established a significant gun manufacturing operation with the likes of Calvin Key, Jacob Stutts, and Asa Richardson (rifles attributed to each of them are known).  Research by the late Dan Wallace formed the basis for much that is known of Alabama gunmaking, and his research is used in Jerry Noble's books.  You particularly want to get a copy of Jerry's first book "Notes on Southern Long Rifles " and, as mentioned above, his second book as well.  Plus, you will enjoy talking to Jerry. 

Also, if you can do so, come to the Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show at the Museum of Appalachia on the 24th and 25th of this month.  You will probably see an Alabama rifle or two on display there.  Email me if you want to discuss that further.
Enjoy the pursuit!
Wayne Elliott

[Pete G.]

I've got a late percussion that came from North Alabama that has a back action Golcher lock with the name Moore engraved on it. It came from near Mooresville, which was incorporated as a town when it was Mississippi territory. It has a curly maple stock and a 42" long 36 caliber gain twist barrel. Incidentally the town is about the same size as it was almost 200 years ago, and was used as the location of the movie about Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. If anyone knows anything about a gunsmith named Moore I would like to hear from them.