I recently purchased a southern full-stocked rifle somewhat like a Tennessee rifle, but probably from Georgia, that is beat up but still all there. It has a silver barrel plate signed "J VANN" in large block letters. The first letter is worn and could be an "I" or a "J" but they were used interchangeably at times. The gun is large, about 10-1/2 lbs., barrel is swamped, uncut 48-1/4" long, with large .50 cal. bore and 7 groove rifling. Mountings are iron and well-made, with an attractive guard with exceptionally long rear extension. The guard's rear spur is flattened out into a wide, very thin, "spoon shaped" rear spur, and not the normal thin TN spur. A vent pick hole is just behind the rear extension, goes 1-1/8" deep into the toe and suggests this is a late, single bolt southern flintlock now converted to percussion. Stocking, despite a poor modern varnish finish and some terrible modern repairs and "restoration," is very good with a clean triangular butt and extended toe, and single line lower butt and forestock molding lines that retain the original termination behind the muzzle cap.
The important detail is the silver barrel plate with the name "J VANN" in block letters. Jim Whisker in his softbound Tennessee book recognized James Vann as a gunsmith in the late 1790s/early 1800s in TN and GA. He was half Cherokee with Scots father and Cherokee mother, and became a powerful and very wealthy chief in the Cherokee nation, owning a large plantation and many slaves, in addition to other holdings. His favorite son, Joseph, may have worked as a gunsmith early in life, but it has not been documented. My opinion is that this rifle was either made by Joseph Vann when a young adult, or owned by him in his early adult years, before he became heavily involved in business dealings, Cherokee leadership, and involvement in the eventual removal of the Cherokees from Georgia. While the rifle is not spectacular, if it weren't damaged with poor repair and restoration attempts, it would be a good quality southern rifle, well above average and capable of handling the largest game around. One fascinating detail is the small, rectangular silver inlay in the forward section of the barrel, about halfway between the rear sight and the muzzle. It is engraved with a star(?) pattern. I have not seen this detail on any rifle before... perhaps suggesting it is a better-quality rifle for a significant owner... or maybe a Cherokee symbol???
I'd like to get opinions on the rifle, its barrel signature, and any thoughts about it you might have.
Shelby Gallien
Now would you like to see the barrel signature?
