Here are "moderate quality" pictures of the rifle with the lock under discussion. It is signed in script "S. P.. Pool." Barrel is 46-5/16 inches long and swamped with a .43 caliber bore and 7-groove rifling. Tang is 5-9/16 inches with three screws. If you look closely at the "slightly dark" photos, you can see the wrist has a cameo cut where it meets the butt, and the side facings have small "tear drops" at both the back AND front ends.
I had problems uploading pictures this evening, could only get two to upload and that took a while. Will try again tomorrow with additional views.
The reason for wanting opinions about dating the lock is that Stephen P. Pool first worked in North Carolina, and this rifle has a number of NC characteristics. He moved to Breckenridge County, Kentucky in 1804 due to financial problems back in NC. This rifle came out of Kentucky about 25-30 years ago. Despite NC details on the side facings and forestock moldings, I believe this rifle was made in Kentucky for several reasons:
1. It was found there.
2. Stephen's last name was originally Pettypool, and the family name had been Pettypool earlier in VA and then in NC. When later generations moved west to TN and KY, they shortened the last name to Pool, but retained the "Petty" as their middle name. Thus the signature "S. P.. Pool" represents the shortened name. I believe the signature supports a KY period for the rifle.
3. The barrel is attached with pins, not wedges, suggesting a somewhat later rifle.
4. I date the lock to 1810 to 1825, later than the 1804 move date to KY, supporting a KY origin for the rifle.
That's why I was asking for thoughts on the age of the original lock plate...to make sure I wasn't way off in my dating of the lock, and that it most likely fell within his KY working period.
Shelby Gallien
