UPDATE RCVD - Rifle with unusual loop at tail of trigger guard

[AZshot]

While I'm waiting for this rifle to be shipped, I've been researching the unusual loop on the rear of the trigger guard.  Have not found any exactly like it, a few clues of ones sort of like it are Southern.  I hate to post this before it arrives and I can get better details.  But I was just informed it may not arrive for weeks, and I'm excited to see if it is Southern, if the stock is walnut, and how the tang looks.  But for now, just going on the triggers and trigger guard.  Anyone recognized this from the sellers pics? 

[Hungry Horse]

Once again you have what I believe is a gun made from several old wrecks. The trigger guard is a one piece guard similar to a couple I’ve seen on guns from Mississippi, and Alabama. But the triggers are from a higher quality gun. The lock is obviously a replacement.

Hungry Horse

[AZshot]

Once again you have what I believe is a gun made from several old wrecks. The trigger guard is a one piece guard similar to a couple I’ve seen on guns from Mississippi, and Alabama. But the triggers are from a higher quality gun. The lock is obviously a replacement.
Hungry Horse

Both my last two guns were for a learning experience.   One has a poured pewter nose cap. And now a "loop" trigger guard that I'm told several makers in Rutherford County, or the Piedmont of NC made, and you say in Miss. or Ala.  So more Southern features on inexpensive rifles to learn about.   

I think these simple rifles were used so long and so hard they always will have damage and replaced parts.  Compared to a highly silver inlayed, premium wood stock, signed to the recipient type of "flatlands rifle" that spent most of it's life over a series of owners mantels, or in collections.  The rough ones show what living in the mountains was like.  At some point a few were saved.  By the way, all three of these came out of the estates of very serious, long-time collectors.

"Learner" 1: interesting features include iron trigger guard and it's signed, and has a 46" barrel.


"Learner" 2: Interestingly has pewter nose cap and very primitive carved stock, with decorations.  TN closed ring guard and wood butt with just an iron heel piece too.


"Learner" 3: Interestingly had a simple open loop hand stop on the trigger guard.

[Tanselman]

A couple of details that catch my eye include:

1) the iron guard is attached with wood screws rather than pins and bow has a "cup" shape, suggesting a southern origin,
2) the wrist area has an uncommon, soft curve to it, more pronounced than normally seen on guns with triangular butts with straight comb and toe lines, and may help identify the stocker,
3) barrel has been shortened significantly based on rear sight moved far back and shorter distance between two front pipes...probably 5" lost, and longer barrels often indicate a southern rifle.
4) I'd want to take a close look at the triggers when you get the gun in hand, because I'm not sure the front trigger is old/original, and its scroll tab on rear edge is one I haven't seen on a southern gun,
5) I may be wrong on this one, but the missing sliver along the rear forestock appears to have a slightly uneven, "bumpy" edge, suggesting the wood is curly maple rather than walnut.

Shelby Gallien

[AZshot]

Thanks for the things you noticed.  I'll surely post more when it comes. 

[AZshot]

I got the rifle.  The biggest surprise was how long it's tang is. 





The trigger guard is forged iron.  The buttplate and thimbles are brass. 









The only "maybes" I'm hearing are Rutherford Co. Gunsmitths, and some Piedmont maybes.  Edward Harper was mentioned.  Any ideas?

[AZshot]

Bore marks

[Bob Roller]

ALL of these represent and still are examples of what can be done without every kind of tool known to mankind and a machine shop.The stocks look like my own level of skill at making them.Meat makers all.
Bob Roller