Author Topic: Early Israel McInturff Flintlock Rifle (Read 5442 times)

mountainad82 · « **on:** April 23, 2020, 01:52:37 AM »

This rifle is a departure from the usual Tennessee iron mounted rifle. This rifle is attributed to Israel McInturff of Buffalo Valley in what is now Unicoi County, TN. Compare to the signed rifle featured on page 51 in Dave Byrd’s “Gunmakers of Buffalo Valley and Greasy Cove”. I personally love the drop and curvature of the stock. All hardware is hand forged iron. The trigger guard has a long bow reminiscent of early Virginia rifles. The stock is walnut with an incised line running the length of the forestock and an incised line running along the base of the butt stock from wrist to toe. The stock also features a rectangular grease hole. The overall length is 60 1/2”. The swamped, hand forged barrel is 43” long and the bore is .42 caliber. Hope you all enjoy.

-Adam

Kevin · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2020, 02:59:23 AM »

That is one neat looking rifle. Thanks for posting the photos & description.

Kevin

FALout · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2020, 03:52:56 AM »

Lots to like about that rifle

Bob McBride · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2020, 04:05:11 AM »

Thanks for posting. Interesting as can be.

WESTbury · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2020, 04:17:38 AM »

That is an outstanding rifle. It looks like one of those hard to find "untouched" patina guns.

Thanks for sharing.

Chris_B · « **Reply #5 on:** April 23, 2020, 06:18:39 AM »

A very interesting rifle! Thanks for the great pictures.

redheart · « **Reply #6 on:** April 23, 2020, 08:08:44 AM »

Land O' Goshen,

What a joy to behold!
Thank you kindly for posting this jewel!

Sequatchie Rifle · « **Reply #7 on:** April 23, 2020, 01:48:49 PM »

Very nice! Thank you for posting these photos!
Bill

mountainad82 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2020, 02:41:07 PM »

Thanks for all the kind comments everyone! I collect and study the McInturff rifles and the builders. Any rifles or information that you folks can share with me is greatly appreciated!

-Adam Wright

Elnathan · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2020, 03:58:30 PM »

What is "early" in this context? 1810 or so?

mountainad82 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 23, 2020, 05:07:23 PM »

My guess is the “early” McInturff rifles with the soft comb and Virginia style hardware date from the 1815-1830 time period. Israel McInturff Jr. bought the Bean rifle shop on Rock Creek from Joseph Bean in 1833. The McInturffs probably started making “Bean style” East TN rifles around this time. There is a fantastic rifle signed “I M” done in “Bean style” pictured on page 53-54 of Dave Byrd’s book “Gunmakers of Buffalo Valley & Greasy Cove”. This rifle probably dates to about the time they bought the Bean shop.

jdm · « **Reply #11 on:** April 23, 2020, 05:08:55 PM »

Thanks for posting this. Southern rifles this early are not seen very often. Israel was the first of a long line of McInturff's so you have several more to go to complete the family. I think you may have gotten the hardest one to find out of the way.
To help answer Elnathan's question I believe Israel changed his style in the 1830's . If I'm correct this would predate that. The OP will know better than I. I bat about fifty/fifty.

Sorry I was a little behind in my post. I knew Mountainad82 would know!

wildcatter · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2020, 07:12:20 AM »

Adam,

Thanks for sharing, great rifle. I'm curious if you have been able to pin down where/what he was influenced by, on this particular rifle build. Before he started with the more traditional Tennessee stuff. Always looking to learn more on southern builders.

Matt

mountainad82 · « **Reply #13 on:** April 25, 2020, 02:50:28 AM »

Matt,

I wish I knew the answer to your question. We know that Israel McInturff was born in Shenandoah County, VA in 1776. A generation before, the McInturffs were living in Pennsylvania. Did the style come from Pennsylvania? Shenandoah County, VA? A little of both? I am currently still trying to figure this out. Any info or theories are welcome.

-Adam

wildcatter · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2020, 04:14:59 PM »

Adam,

Certainly is interesting to say the least. I haven't the foggiest idea. I always wonder if it was styling or functionality with regards to these type of things.

Matt

saulsburystk · « **Reply #15 on:** August 14, 2020, 10:03:21 PM »

Hello!
Israel McInturff is my 8th great grandfather on my Dad's maternal side. He has quite a bit of the family tree mapped out and if anyone is curious I can provide more info!

blienemann · « **Reply #16 on:** August 15, 2020, 01:18:27 AM »

Thanks Adam for sharing a fine rifle, many details to enjoy. That lock sure looks good, too - and should fit the 1820's and 30's timeframe discussed. Bob

Molly · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2020, 05:00:49 AM »

Cannot say I have seen many (any) Virginia rifles with that "roman nose" but Mr. Byrd is the expert so if he says so it must certainly be true?

WESTbury · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2020, 02:14:59 PM »

I don't care if it was from Virginia or Mars, it is a great rifle.

Thanks Adam for letting us see your rifle.

I'd love to find a rifle used by my McIntire ancestors from Enterprise W. Va. In particular the rifles used that avenged the murder (butchery) of John & Rachel in 1791.

Dennis Glazener · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2020, 05:08:19 PM »

Quote from: WESTbury on August 15, 2020, 02:14:59 PM

I don't care if it was from Virginia or Mars, it is a great rifle.

Thanks Adam for letting us see your rifle.

I'd love to find a rifle used by my McIntire ancestors from Enterprise W. Va. In particular the rifles used that avenged the murder (butchery) of John & Rachel in 1791.

Would love to hear more about that incident. I had a similiar incident in my family in the Greenbriar area of present day WVA. I will open a new topic in OTBF. You are welcome to post yours there.
Dennis

WESTbury · « **Reply #20 on:** August 15, 2020, 06:13:42 PM »

Dennis---Will do.

Kent

B.Barker · « **Reply #21 on:** August 18, 2020, 06:29:04 AM »

Neat rifle Adam. I think I handled that one at the Alabama show a couple years back.

8905c · « **Reply #22 on:** August 18, 2020, 11:04:02 AM »

Beautiful rifle! Thank you for posting.

mountainad82 · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2020, 12:43:44 AM »

Thanks everyone. Brian Barker, yes you did examine this rifle at the Alabama show.

Adam

slmcinturff · « **Reply #24 on:** October 31, 2022, 06:31:23 PM »

My name is Steven McInturff and I am searching for one of my great ancestor's rifles. Does anyone know where I could locate a rifle crafted by Israel McInturff?

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Author Topic: Early Israel McInturff Flintlock Rifle (Read 5442 times)

WESTbury

saulsburystk

slmcinturff