Builder who signed his rifles Plybon

[Hawken62_flint]

Saw a flintlock today signed in script "Plybon". From what I can find out, this rifle was purchased at Friendship about 25 to 30 years ago.  Does anyone here know this builder or know of his work and if so, what kind of money would this rifle bring. It is in pristine condition?

[Stoner creek]

John D. Plybon. Lived in Kentucky in the 60s.  He was a school teacher. Moved to Orrville Ohio and lived there until his death (December 2011). John was best known for his beautiful scrimshaw horns and bags. He made some dandy guns in the 60s through the early 80s.  Most of his guns were small caliber, .29-.38. He liked using Bill Large barrels and Roller locks. John was a founding member of the Kentucky Corps of Longriflemen. I’m privileged to own one of his rifles. I knew John personally. Great guy, great artist. Very few of his guns are signed. I’d love to see pictures. 
 The last Plybon that I saw for sale was at the Log Cabin Shop. They wanted $2300.00 for it. That would be the high side of the price range in my opinion. John’s guns weren’t fancy so that would place them in the $1500.00-$2000.00 range.
Wayne.

[Hawken62_flint]

Wayne, thanks for all the information on John Plybon. This is a neat rifle in .32 caliber with a Bill Large 3/4" at barrel that I think is at least 46 inches long. It has some nice clean incised carving behind the cheek and a banana patchbox and it is left-handed. I can't remember if the lock was marked or not. It does have a short length of pull, and I'm guessing it is only 12 inches.  Thanks again,  Terry

[porchdog48]

Jontaught gun building classes at Log Cabin. I was fortunate enough to take his class in 1996. Really a nice guy and great teachers.
Dave

[Gaeckle]

John Plybon was a great guy, and he just loved  small bore rifles. Unfortunately, he left us way to early and suffered from Allzhiemers. At his funeral, his favorite rifle, bag and horn was on display. His son John is involved with some group out of Millersburg Ohio, and I wonder if the son has followed in his father's footsteps.  He would stop by at our camp at Great Trails with Sally, his wife. I miss those days, I was just a young man back then and people like John were the sages stoked with wisdom. Now, I'm the "greybeard", time sure does fly by.

[wpalongrifle]

As Stoner said,  John was a forefather before "The Longrifle Culture" was established.  It was in Coshocton Ohio in 2010 his family brought him to the HCH Guild Conference at Roscoe Village. It was an honor He was presented the "Lanthorn Award" for his dedication and craftsmanship to hornwork. Although his rifles weren't embellished as his hornwork. They where very well made and followed the early masters architecture.     

[J. Talbert]

Here’s some of John’s typical scrimshaw work on a set of Carl Wilburn screw tip horns.





Jeff

Oh, I forgot to mention that he did all his scrimshaw with a half broken off blade on a little pocket knife.  I watched him do it. 

[Hawken62_flint]

Jeff, do you know if he signed his horns and if so, how were they signed. I'm thinking there might be a horn to go with the Plybon rifle. The rifle and other stuff is part of an estate and I was told that there are a dozen or more bags and horns, but I haven't gotten to see any of them.

[Stoner creek]

He normally signed JDP then sometimes a number.

[Hawken62_flint]

Thanks Wayne. Maybe I'll get lucky and find one.

[Hawken62_flint]

BTW, that is a nice horn. I can only hope I might find one. The rifle I've located was a special order, so he may have ordered a horn also. Won't know till I get to look at this fellow's bags and horns. Thanks again for all the info.

[J. Talbert]

He normally signed JDP then sometimes a number.

Yeah, what he said...
Mine are signed the same way.
Jeff