Help with late percussion rifle

[TN Longhunter]

I bought this rifle as a wall hanger but am intrigued by it. First it has a lot of coin silver inlays, silver trigger guard, brass butt plate and toe plate.  Nice engraving on much of the hardware but crude on the entry pipe with the Masonic eye.  It is "signed" in three places with "JMW". First on the barrel top flat on a silver inlayed plate, second on the 10 o'clock flat of the barrel near the breech and last on the lock near the back, upside down so it can be read when holding the rifle in position.

Lots of repairs, replacement side plate, at least doesn't compare with the rest of the work. Great holding rifle. I wish it was in condition to shoot.

What I think;
Late Virginia rifle
Talented maker with owner engraving on the entry pipe
Used and repaired with at least two breaks in the wrist.

Any help would be appreciated or options as to the origins of this rifle,
Thanks



file and image uploader

[Hlbly]

John M Whiteside, Kings Mill, Abingdon, Virginia. If you have Dillin's book, there is an interesting article about him as told to Dillin by Milton Warren. Milton Warren was Whiteside's apprentice and was still living in the early 1900's.

[TN Longhunter]

Thanks for the quick info.  Love this place.

[Avlrc]

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=22774.msg218007#msg218007

[Dennis Glazener]

Here is another John Whitesides rifle that belonged to a deceased friend of mine. I sold it for his widow here on ALR a number of years ago.
http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=5622.0
Dennis

[TN Longhunter]

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=22774.msg218007#msg218007

This is the same rifle. I bought it from Joe earlier this spring. In the five years it seems the maker has been identified.

Dennis, that rifle would have been a hard one to let go.

[MGillman]

Whats the name of Dillin's book?

[Hlbly]

The Kentucky Rifle by John G. W. Dillin. It is a very old book, came out in the early 1920's. I think I have a copy around here somewhere.

[Avlrc]

Whats the name of Dillin's book?

"The Kentucky Rifle" , the first copy came out in 1924 & there is at least one more edition that came out in a box edition. 

[Hlbly]

If your lock is signed, it was probably made by him. He was fond of back action locks in his late period, and was known to build some of them himself.