Ambrose Lawing Rifle

[Sequatchie Rifle]

This "3/4 stock" rifle has a 41 inch long .36 caliber barrel.  It left East Tennessee and ended up in eastern Washington State.  In October 1991 it was auctioned off at a fund-raising event and hung over the mantle of a fireplace until I bought is in August 2013. it has a 13 inch LOP and an overall length of 56 inches.  It is recognizable as having been made by Ambrose Lawing. The markings are very worn, but what is there reads as follows- ". marCH . 18_7 . Ambrose . LaWing ." There are some other letters, but they are very faint. It has an unusual "Holsten" check rest and a very interesting BRASS trigger guard. When I was inquiring about buying it I was told it had no markings, but the profile gave it away....

[wildcatter]

Another fine rifle, thanks for posting. Interesting ramrod entry thimble!

Matt

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... well, Bill ... you know my passion for Lawing rifles,...thanx for sharing this one,... the unique brass overlay is quite interesting,... the GROSS family used it a lot, but I have never seen a LaWing with this feature... I cannot see the name in the pic,... did you make a tracing to bring out the stamped letters,..? ... many features that are not usually seen in a LaWing build,... just goes to show there are no standard patterns,..do you think she was originally fullstock,...?... regards,... CCF

[Ken G]

I love that brass trigger guard.  Front is pinned and it looks like the rear has a screw.  Interesting.  Thanks very much for sharing the pics.  Great for study. 

Another good find!

Thanks,
Ken

[AZshot]

My likely Jacob Gross II rifle has a brass buttplate, brass covered iron triggerguard, and lock screw washer.  I also was told it was a somewhat unknown or secret technique that most other TN makers didn't do.  But I'm sure a few did.

[Sequatchie Rifle]

Yes, I think it was originally full stocked. It sure is a dainty rifle.

I've compared the stamped lettering to my other dated Lawing rifles and have assessed:
1. Lawing places a "." before and after words.
2. I believe he inherited his "stamp set" from his father.
3. By 1871 his  uses the letter "I" for the number "1"; uses the upside letter "L" for the number "7"; may not have had lower case "W", "P", "C", or "H", or upper case "M".

My thinking is that if we can compile a list of dated Lawing Rifles and record the stamping, we can determine the date range for undated Lawing rifles.

Ambrose Lawing, b. 1826, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina; d. (of TB) 4 Jul 1872 (aged 45–46) Flag Pond, Unicoi County, Tennessee, USA
Buried in the Guinn Cemetery #3 in Rocky Fork, Unicoi County, Tennessee.

One of his 3 brothers, William Pinkney “Pink” Lawing, enlisted in CSA, 37th NC Inf, Co I, age 28 on 15 Aug 1862; Wounded 3 Jul 1863 at Gettysburg, PA and killed by a bomb shell in Petersburg, VA on 29 Sep 18634 at age 30.

He had 3 sons. One of his sons was William Wesley Lawing, b. 21 Sep 1853 in Unicoi County, Tennessee; and d. 13 Aug 1943 (aged 89) in Greene County, Tennessee, is buried in Mount Tabor UMC Cemetery, Camp Creek, Greene County, Tennessee. William also made rifles.

His father was William A. “Squire Billy” Lawing, b. 25 Dec 1797 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. I believe Ambrose learned his "art" from his father.






russian photo sharing

[Sequatchie Rifle]

I've seen one other Gross rifle with the brass covered triggerguard.  thanks for sharing your rifle.

My likely Jacob Gross II rifle has a brass buttplate, brass covered iron triggerguard, and lock screw washer.  I also was taught it was a somewhat unknown or secret technique that most other TN makers didn't do.  But I'm sure a few did.

[bama]

I have an Alfred Duncan rifle that has a brass over laid trigger guard. If you look closely at the bow of the guard you can see the rivets used to hold the brass to the iron guard.

 

[Sequatchie Rifle]

Jim,

Thanks for sharing your rifle.  It was you showing it to me that prompted me to start this post.

Bill

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  ... Jim,... your Duncan looks like she has the Holston style cheek-rest, too,... A.F. GROSS used brass overlay a lot,... the famous "most decorated: Tennessee rifle is silver overlaid on iron,...!!!

[bama]

These old boys liked to show off I believe and if you look at the quality of the overlays it is very apparent that they had skills. Bill I hope you come to TN show so I can take another look at those fine rifles.

Jim

[Ken G]

The overlays show a pretty impressive skill.  Very Impressive work.  It's hard to imagine now days that overlaying brass would be better than using a brass guard.  Availability is something we take for granted.  In the day, I can only assume this would have been something very special.

Ken

[Sequatchie Rifle]

... well, Bill ... you know my passion for Lawing rifles,...thanx for sharing this one,... the unique brass overlay is quite interesting,... the GROSS family used it a lot, but I have never seen a LaWing with this feature... I cannot see the name in the pic,... did you make a tracing to bring out the stamped letters,..? ... many features that are not usually seen in a LaWing build,... just goes to show there are no standard patterns,..do you think she was originally fullstock,...?... regards,... CCF

Dana,
I was going back over this post and your recommendation to make a tracing "jumped" out- I'd forgotten or missed it.  I will give it a try today and report back.  I reluctantly listed the rifle for sell a few days ago.  I am working on getting another old Tennessee rifle, a Lawing!  The owner is reluctant to let me take any photos.

Bill

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .. Thanx, Bill,... will be glad to see your new find,... they are still out there,.. found my Wm Lawing in the wild couple years ago in your area,.. !!! ... .I have other priorities just now, or would be glad to own the brass overlaid one,...have handled it, and is a great rifle,... do think about making  a copy of your research book for me,...see you soon,... CCF