The Don Bruton/Mathew Gillespie rifle

[MuskratMike]

My family settled in the NW corner of North Carolina in the middle to late 1700's and resided there until 1865. I have always wanted a rifle from that period I could shoot and pay homage to my ancestors. I have no information that we ever owned a Gillespie rifle but there is a chance we could have. I kind of fell in love with the original "Mathew Gillespie" rifle depicted in Dennis Glazener's wonderful book "The Gillespie Gun makers of East Fork NC". More on this rifle can also be found on the ALR search engine using Mathew Gillespie. I finally decided I wanted to make an exact copy (or as close as possible) to the original. Dennis went way above the call of duty in helping me with this dream. He put me in contact with Don Bruton (yes that Don Bruton of Boone rifle fame). After many phone and e-mail visits I do believe I wore him down as he consented to build the rife. What pushed him over the edge was our mutual desire not to make a rifle of the same wood, shape and ironwork but ending up looking like the rifle would have when Mathew handed it over to the new owner. No we wanted it to look just as it is today with "serious" patina, dents, dings and some minor rust. This rifle could easily pass now as an original 200 year old rifle. I did ask Don to put his initials on the top flat not "MG" as we are not in any way trying to pass this off as an original but a true "Tribute Rifle". More will come in print about this rifle but I just wanted to bring it to life for the first time on ALR as a personal thank you to Dennis and Don.
The first five photos are of the original the bulk are of the new rifle. It just arrived yesterday and I am going to shoot it tomorrow for the first time. Her name will be Periwinkle (after the finest donkey I have ever been associated with).
I would love to hear your opinions of this fine rifle.

[Mike Brooks]

Nice job there Mushrat. Dandy ageing work.

[AZshot]

Alright!  Another great Gillespie by Don!  Congratulations, I'm loving my DB rifle. 

[MuskratMike]

Thank you Mr. Brooks but all credit goes to Don Bruton. I just had the vision and checkbook.

[wattlebuster]

Thats a good looking vision ya got there. Don did some fine work on it. Id say ya both nailed it

[BOB HILL]

A fine rifle, Mike. You sure chose a fine fellow to build it for. Don always does a great job.
Bob

[Bob McBride]

She’s a beaut Mike. Thanks for the early peek.

[Marcruger]

Don sure did you right with that rifle.  It's a beauty, and does indeed look period. 

I've enjoyed Don's signature style rifles, and this different branch of the "Bruton family tree" really impresses my eye as well. 

Well done Don!   

God Bless,   Marc

[DBoone]

Thanks for the kind words on this rifle, everyone.  It has been a real pleasure working with Mike on this project. 

When Mike contacted me about making this particular rifle he didn't know that the Mathew Gillespie rifle that Dennis owns is the one I have absolutely loved for years.  I actually got to hold, study and photograph this wonderful rifle at a Gillespie reunion.....that Dennis so kindly invited me to.....many years ago.
 
I will also say, without hesitation, that Dennis Glazner is the "Godfather of all things Gillespie".  We are so lucky to have him and his famous book on the Gillespie family and their rifles.  Dennis is my number one mentor and reference on these historical old mountain guns.  His knowledge is awe inspiring.

Muskrat Mike McGuire is a great guy and has a huge heart and endless enthusiasm to match! Lucky is the gun maker who gets to work for him!  Thanks, Mike!

[Notchy Bob]

The new rifle is outstanding!  What a beauty, the spirit and image of the original!

I will look forward to reading more about it in print.  Will that be in a future issue of Muzzleloader magazine?

Notchy Bob

[MuskratMike]

Notchy Bob: Working on the article as we speak. Just have to finish wordsmithing it.

[Notchy Bob]

Notchy Bob: Working on the article as we speak. Just have to finish wordsmithing it.

Great!  I will look forward to reading it.

Notchy Bob