West Virginia Rifle

[far55]

I posted this gun on another site several years ago and was told it looked like the style used by the Benson family.  So far that is the closest I have gotten to an ID.  It has what looks like EW in script and is stamped with Cranberry, West Virginia.  I will post some photos here in hopes that somebody might recognize the builder.  It is about 32 caliber and there is no patchbox or capbox.   I have more photos available.  Thank you.  Roland

[Avlrc]

I don't know of any West Virginia makers with E W initials. Except Evan P Ward, from Hampshire County & that rifle is not HC.  Cranberry WV is in Raleigh  County.  I don't think the maker put Cranberry WV on the barrel.  Since the signature is script.  Could be a reused barrel, & the maker might be from Raleigh County You might contact Ed Rayl he might know.  Here is a list of WV makers.

  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1l0xy3AkWThdKU_vLYWHvxVTpN0PsduxMPtKdpHBGiHo/edit#gid=0
 

[mountainman70]

Hello and welcome. My WV gunsmith book shows a George Lewis Wickline, of Monroe county  1820-1903. Picture in book is of a fullstock fancy rifle.The hunter star is very close. Have a goodun,Dave F

The E is most likely a G

[rlm]

Turn it 180 degrees and it looks  like M Z.

[diamante]

Hello and welcome. My WV gunsmith book shows a George Lewis Wickline, of Monroe county  1820-1903. Picture in book is of a fullstock fancy rifle.The hunter star is very close. Have a goodun,Dave F

The E is most likely a G

I concur. Looks like a good example of a post Civil War WV squirrel rifle.

[Avlrc]

Think the Wicklines went to Ohio. Not sure when,

[Steve Collward]

When looking over the photos of this rifle, I found the side plate to be very similar in style to the one I have posted below.
This is on percussion pistol, however, the pistol is unmarked.

[jake]

Hello  What was once Cranberry West Virginia Is now the Cranesville Swamp ,Terra Alta area Preston County. The side plate engraving and shape of the side plate is E.D. Ezra Benson. I'm pretty sure I have seen barrels with his name Marked E.D. Benson Cranberry West Virginia. The E W in script I dont have a clue, possibly an apprentice built rifle . All E.D. Benson barrels ive seen were stamped with his name with the same style steel stamps as your rifle. The Faint intentional punch marks on your barrel are typical  Benson embellishments too.One thing for sure the rifle is Benson influenced and Cranberry West Virginia is most definitely The Cranesville Swamp Terra Alta area ive lived in Preston County all my life.

[jake]

Sorry I forgot to mention Cranberry Terra Alta is where E.D Benson lived. I would be interested to know in what part of the country you found this rifle. Thanks Jake

[Avlrc]

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=2238.0

[far55]

Thanks to all for your responses. Jake, This gun was bought from a local collector in central Pa. back in the mid 70s

[Avlrc]

Abel Browning used that sideplate.  I am pretty sure he apprenticed to the Bensons.

http://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=24268.0

[jake]

Avlrc   that's a good point.The Able Browning rifle in the virtual library is a good example. The Browning family lived just a few miles across the Cranesville swamp from Benson. I have even wondered if the Able Browning rifle wasn't made by Benson And marked with the owners name and not the makers name.

[Avlrc]

Jake, Able made rifles I seen pictures of at least 4  rifles made & signed by Browning.  I also know one of his descendants still has a few of his rifles.  I  think several have survived as he was such a late maker. 

[jake]

Avlrc. That's good to know I'll have to look in their little museum in Oakland next time I go up there they have a few local rifles.