Southern pistols

JQuigley · Oct 27, 2024

Call it curiosity but I’ve been wondering. Been looking a lot into “southern mountain rifles” and got to thinking about what a pistol built by one of the many makers would look like. Friend of mine wants me to build her an SMR and I’d like to make her a pistol to match it but I’d like to keep it in the same style. Anyone have pictures of any originals? I know trade pistols were common as well as percussion revolvers later on but I’m talking early percussion era. I know of the Asa Waters pistols and like them but I’d prefer something more visibly matching to the SMR. I’ll reiterate. Does anyone have any pictures of original guns made by any of the schools down south? Thanks!

wiscoaster · Oct 27, 2024

Very cool idea. Just posting so as to watch what answers you get.

JQuigley · Oct 27, 2024

wiscoaster said:
Very cool idea. Just posting so as to watch what answers you get.

No problem! Hopefully we get our answer soon.

Taevers · Oct 27, 2024

JQuigley said:
No problem! Hopefully we get our answer soon.

I’ll be watching and following. Hope to learn some as well.

springfield art · Oct 27, 2024

Yes, this site has a propensity for uncovering interesting stuff!

1950DAVE · Oct 27, 2024

Cherokee pistol, 1843

The inscription on this .28-caliber percussion pistol identifies its maker as Salola (Squirrel), a blacksmith in the Oconaluftee settlement of Quallatown, North Carolina, who provided all the settlement’s axes and plows. In addition, he manufactured “a number of very superior rifles and pistols,” as a white visitor who met Salola in 1848 noted. “A specimen of his workmanship . . . may be seen at the Patent Office in Washington, where it was deposited by Mr. Thomas and I believe Salola is the first Indian who ever manufactured an entire gun”.

JQuigley · Oct 27, 2024

1950DAVE said:
Cherokee pistol, 1843

The inscription on this .28-caliber percussion pistol identifies its maker as Salola (Squirrel), a blacksmith in the Oconaluftee settlement of Quallatown, North Carolina, who provided all the settlement’s axes and plows. In addition, he manufactured “a number of very superior rifles and pistols,” as a white visitor who met Salola in 1848 noted. “A specimen of his workmanship . . . may be seen at the Patent Office in Washington, where it was deposited by Mr. Thomas and I believe Salola is the first Indian who ever manufactured an entire gun”.

Wow that’s an interesting piece. Never pictured that style being built by a blacksmith. Always seemed like more of a mass produced piece to me

1950DAVE · Oct 27, 2024

I saw it at the Cherokee Indian museum in Cherokee, NC some time ago so it came to mind when I read your post.

JQuigley · Oct 27, 2024

1950DAVE said:
I saw it at the Cherokee Indian museum in Cherokee, NC some time ago so it came to mind when I read your post.

It’s a real nice piece. One of the better ones in that style I’ve seen. Thank you!

1950DAVE · Oct 27, 2024

You can’t get more Southern Mountain than Cherokee. Or the Cherokees.

Colonial Boy · Oct 27, 2024

Indeed one does learn on this site,,I’d never heard of an Indian gunsmith before, and that pistol puts him in the ranks of the gunsmiths.

KingOfKindling · Oct 28, 2024

The Kentucky Rifle Foundation sells USB sticks with libraries of high definition pictures from the various gun schools. Volume 14, "Smokey Mountain Rifles" contains a few pistols, one of which is the Salola Pistol mentioned above. The USB sticks are totally worth it, very high quality pictures you can easily zoom in on.

If you want a good match for the Kibler SMR there are a couple pistols by members of the Bull family. They've got Ketland locks like the SMR. Would be a good match for a Kibler. I'd like to build something similar myself eventually.

This is one by John Bull. The double set trigger is pretty cool on a pistol.

Here's an article about a clone of a similar pistol made by Elisha Bull.

https://www.blackpowdermag.com/mike-millers-copy-of-the-elisha-bull-pistol/

JQuigley · Oct 28, 2024

KingOfKindling said:
The Kentucky Rifle Foundation sells USB sticks with libraries of high definition pictures from the various gun schools. Volume 14, "Smokey Mountain Rifles" contains a few pistols, one of which is the Salola Pistol mentioned above. The USB sticks are totally worth it, very high quality pictures you can easily zoom in on.

If you want a good match for the Kibler SMR there are a couple pistols by members of the Bull family. They've got Ketland locks like the SMR. Would be a good match for a Kibler. I'd like to build something similar myself eventually.

This is one by John Bull. The double set trigger is pretty cool on a pistol.

View attachment 358424

Here's an article about a clone of a similar pistol made by Elisha Bull.

https://www.blackpowdermag.com/mike-millers-copy-of-the-elisha-bull-pistol/

Great! I’ll check it out. Thank you!

Crow Creek · Oct 28, 2024

Baxter Bean pistol. I believe they have a pair in Tennessee State Museum. Could easily be made into cap lock.

GYJ · Oct 28, 2024

I wish Kibler would offer a pistol, I'd be all over it. Still need to finish my SMR .40cal.

Here's my Steve Zihn .54.

JQuigley · Oct 28, 2024

GYJ said:
I wish Kibler would offer a pistol, I'd be all over it. Still need to finish my SMR .40cal.

Here's my Steve Zihn .54.

View attachment 358484

That’s a beauty!

springfield art · Oct 28, 2024

1950DAVE said:
Cherokee pistol, 1843

The inscription on this .28-caliber percussion pistol identifies its maker as Salola (Squirrel), a blacksmith in the Oconaluftee settlement of Quallatown, North Carolina, who provided all the settlement’s axes and plows. In addition, he manufactured “a number of very superior rifles and pistols,” as a white visitor who met Salola in 1848 noted. “A specimen of his workmanship . . . may be seen at the Patent Office in Washington, where it was deposited by Mr. Thomas and I believe Salola is the first Indian who ever manufactured an entire gun”.

Very "H&A" appearance! Would be simple for Pedersoli to make!

springfield art · Oct 28, 2024

JQuigley said:
That’s a beauty!

Yes, people's mention of a Kibler Pistol has been on here before, by myself included! I'd jump at chance to get a relatively simple pistol kit that didn't require a lot of wood-working.

JQuigley · Oct 28, 2024

springfield art said:
Yes, people's mention of a Kibler Pistol has been on here before, by myself included! I'd jump at chance to get a relatively simple pistol kit that didn't require a lot of wood-working.

I know chambers makes a good one as does track of the wolf but I’ve never had a kit from either and hear they’re not as easy as anything kibler

JQuigley · Oct 28, 2024

springfield art said:
Very "H&A" appearance! Would be simple for Pedersoli to make!

That would be interesting but they’re already making a killing with their underhammer pistols they’re seeking stupidly overpriced

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