Comments on Tennessee mountain rifle, maker - GM ?

[Benp]

Would appreciate any comments on this rifle. Was told the GM on the barrel was either a George Wilhelm or George Wiscent. I'm new to this group and not sure what else to include. Thanks

[Hlbly]

I have a rifle signed "G Willhelms". There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that your gun was made by the same hand. I don't know where he worked, wish I did.

[Mike Brooks]

Sure is a nice gun!

[mountainman70]

Man,what a sweet rifle. Is that cast-off I see in the pic? Fine arn gun. Dave F

[Joe S.]

Cast off,wow,that fellow had some broad shoulders,real nice rifle.

[rlm]

Correct me if I'm  wrong but the gun is actually built cast on as for a lefty but the cheek piece is on the wrong side?

[smokinbuck]

Really nice looking rifle. The patch box is a little unusual for a cap gun but I like it.
Mark

[bgf]

I have a rifle signed "G Willhelms". There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that your gun was made by the same hand. I don't know where he worked, wish I did.

I think there is one in Jerry Nobles, also, not sure which volume.  This one is beautiful.

I don't think the stock is cast on for left handed, but rather the toe is offset from the heel, maybe to fit the arm better?

[Hlbly]

Nothing unusual about the patchbox. The iron "banana" box was used in that area well into the 1870's or '80's.

[Tanselman]

When I see frontier guns such as this with cast-on or cast-off butts, or slightly twisted toes as in this case, I always wonder how often it is really just the stock wood relieving its internal stresses over all the years, and developing a little bit of warp or twist in the process. Shelby Gallien

[Hlbly]

Exactly! Wood that was not quite dry, gunsmith error, or a combination of the two.

[Mike Brooks]

This guy made a fine gun but he wasn't worried too much about a center line. Just about everything on that gun is off center.

[PPatch]

When I see frontier guns such as this with cast-on or cast-off butts, or slightly twisted toes as in this case, I always wonder how often it is really just the stock wood relieving its internal stresses over all the years, and developing a little bit of warp or twist in the process. Shelby Gallien

I have one on the bench that the toe keeps moving to the right of center (looking from breech to muzzle). It is only a slight bit now but one can see it. The stock blank showed it much more before I planed it out, I had to give it two planings before I began to actually work the blank. I couldn't afford to take any more off, so hoped it would not move too much during the build, it hasn't. I had that blank in the shop for over a year and knew it was twisted, and slightly bowed when I received it. It is soft red maple with very nice curl and worm holes in it, should make a beautiful firearm.

dave

[Benp]

Based on pictures from Hlbly, I agree it's probably the same maker, George Willhelms. Did a little research on Ancestry.com and found him on the 1860 Tennessee census. Is listed as a blacksmith and also noted in comment column of form - state penitentiary. He also shows on census as a prisoner at state prison. His occupation is listed as gun smith, in jail for assault. He's originally from Maryland and is around 50 years old. So far haven't been able to find him before or after this. However, did find mention in another person's family tree of a court case in 1850 that list 16 people charged for " beating nearly to death a George Willhelms". This was one county over from where he was in 1860. Sounds like a real character.

[Hlbly]

Good info. Thanks for sharing it.