Tennessee rifle from an original barrel.

[okawbow]

Hi all, need some advice.

I bought an old barrel with breech plug last year from a member on this site. I sent the barrel to Bob Holt to be rebored and rifled to .40 cal. The barrel is 43 1/2" straight sided, about 15/16". It has the sights and lugs still attached.  It now has fresh rifling, 1/48" and .012" deep with round bottom groves. I cut the old threads off the plug, and made a 9/16" X 18 plug with a stud that I brazed to the old tang. Re threaded the barrel, and fitted the new plug.

I'd like to build a rifle that might have been made in middle or western  Tennessee, after 1840. I plan on a plain walnut stock, wrought iron trigger guard, no butt plate, entry thimble, or nose cap.

Is the tang the correct style for this project? Would a Golcher style lock be right? Any pictures of examples?

Untitled by okawbow, on Flickr

Thanks!

[JCKelly]

Wonderful project

Back in The Day, Norm Flayderman might describe such a rifle as needing minor adjustment to cock, and some stock work

(apologies to Mr. F's memory)

[Dennis Glazener]

Not sure about that area of TN but 100% correct for east TN/Western NC and yes on the Hold her lock for same area.
Dennis

[okawbow]

Can anyone tell me the time period for the lollipop tangs? Were they common on percussion rifles?

This barrel had a percussion drum installed. I had to shorten the barrel about one inch to remove the loose and rusted drum and breechplug threads, and ate up area around the drum.

[WElliott]

I would think that style tang was most often found in East Tennessee, western North Carolina and North Georgia. And, yes, they were popular in the percussion era.

[Dennis Glazener]

Can anyone tell me the time period for the lollipop tangs? Were they common on percussion rifles?

Time period 1840-1850's and found on late Flints, converted flints and percussion rifles.
Dennis

[ghost]

Sounds like a great project! Keep us informed! Thanks!

[Robin Henderson]

Check out this Middle Tennessee attributed rifle. This example was displayed at the Lexington show a few years ago and, believe me, the photos do not do it justice. One must take into account that there was quite a bit of "big money" in the middle and west at this time so rifles such as this may have been more common. Like others have said the lollipop tang may be more suitable one from the eastern part of the state.

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=4004.0

[WElliott]

The Berryman Compton "Whale rifle" is a grand and unique gun. Undoubtedly there is a story to be told about for whom it was made. Sadly, to date that story remains undiscovered.