Soddy "chunk" gun

[MuskratMike]

While at this years CLA convention I was granted a private tour of the Soddy-Daisy museum and a private collection of original Soddy rifles for an article I am writing for Muzzle Blasts magazine on my newly created Soddy and some history on these fine rifles. For the record they should be referred to as the Soddy School of Gun Making. The 2 towns did not incorporate until 1969 and the primary gun makers were in Soddy. This one was made by Daddy Lee Crest in the late 1890's. it originally was 9 feet long but has been cut back at the barrel to 8 feet. it weighs now 35 pounds and is 50 caliber. For more about the originals I saw and handled you'll just have to wait for the article. the old photo is of Daddy Lee Crest himself.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .. well done,... I have been by several times and never found the museum open,... you can read about "Daddy Kress" and his shooting  in the Walter M. Cline book ,.. more great photos, too,... I had always thought the "Jake Keedy" gun with  a 64" barrel was the longest Soddy match rifle,... post a detailed photo  of the butt showing the trigger-guard and  patch-box please,... this'un makes my gun, "Old Mike", look like a hunting rifle,... regards,... Cades  Cove Fiddler

[MuskratMike]

Cades Cove Fiddler: Due to time constraints those are the only two pictures I got of it. I blew up the picture of the two of us holding it and you can see the patchbox but it is of course fuzzy.
Message me and I will give you contact information on who to contact and how to get into the museum. If you mention me and my trip they may take you to where the Daddy lee Crest gun is. If going I will make a call ahead for you.
"Muskrat" Mike

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .. Thanx, Mike,.. sent PM,.. looking forward to seeing it in person,... !!! ...BTW,... what rifle do I see laying on the floor in the photo,.. ... CCF

[MuskratMike]

That's another slightly shorter Soddy I'll send you a decent picture of it (the 4th picture I think). I have no knowledge of who made that. I am also including some of the poorer quality ones he had stored in wooden crates above his office including the parts from a Soddy rifling machine. Sure would have liked to see the "premium" ones he had stored elsewhere.

[Daniel Coats]

Wow Mike sounds like the trip of a lifetime! 
Can't wait for your article.

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .. Thanx again, Mike,... the kind of stuff I like to see,... looks like you were in Soddy heaven there,... that longest rifle has a cheek-rest that many do not call a typical "Soddy" style, but is seen in the area, particularly in the Bradley and Polk county areas, which border  on the Soddy region and N.C. and GA,...  I'll be over that way again soon, so will make a point to arrange a viewing,... will be exciting,...regards and thanx,... CCF

[cshirsch]

[Cades Cove Fiddler]

  .. thanx for shareing this old original here, Chris,..!!! .. is she marked,..? ...and do you know her name and who owned/used her in the matches,...? ... I see a lot of John Clements in this rifle,.... !!! ... Regards,.. CCF

[taterbug]

always a treat to see some of the original 'chunk' guns.  My father grew up in that region and remembers seeing some of the matches in the '40's.