Bob Tingle (Shelbyville, Ind.) Rifles?

[Skychief]

I will be buying a 45 caliber halfstock made by Bob Tingle of Shelbyville Indiana. I have read that he may have started building pistols and rifles in the 1950's and passed away in the late 1970's.

Are any of you familiar with him or his rifles? Any information you might provide is very appreciated. Photos and critiques of his rifles appreciated too.

Thanks, Skychief.

 

[Zonie]

In "BLACK POWDER GUN DIGEST", 1972, DIGEST BOOKS INC. Northfield, Ill. there are three Tingle guns shown.

One is a "TINGLE MODEL 1962 TARGET RIFLE" which was a plains rifle styled half stock. It came in .360, .450 and .500 caliber, a 32" 1:52 barrel with adjustable sights and set trigger and a lacquered walnut stock. Weight was 10 pounds.

Also, a "TINGLE SINGLE BARREL SHOTGUN". A half stock with mule ear side hammer, 12 guage 30" barrel lacquered walnut stock and rubber recoil pad. Weight was 5 pounds.

A Tingle single shot target pistol is also shown in .40 caliber. Bbl lengths were 8", 9", 10" and 12". This looks to have Colt style grips and a squareback trigger guard. It has a revolver style hammer and fully adjustable sights.

 

[Skychief]

Thanks very much Zonie. Is there any chance you might post a picture (if available) of the rifle?

Any more information is appreciated as I brought the Tingle rifle home today.

Thanks so much, Skychief. :bow:

 

[Skychief]

I bought a Tingle halfstocked, percussion 45 caliber rifle today. It came with a 32 caliber Douglas barrel made for it also. The rifle is numbered 16XX.

Do any of you know when Tingle made his rifles and specifically mine (16XX)? My 45 caliber barrel has no makers mark, so, who made barrels for him with no markings? Did he make his own locks (mine is coil-springed)? In total, how many rifles did he make (I realize that he was best known for his pistols)?


It is an interesting piece that has spent the last 30 years in a gunsafe (I bought it from the original owner's son. I plan to make it rise from the ashes. Might have to name it 'Phoenix"! :hah

Any information, pictures, or leads you can provide regarding Tingle and his rifles appreciated very much!

Thanks, Skychief. :bow:

 

[jsn]

that douglas barrel should be a mean shooter with cloverleaf patterns at 100yrds

 

[Skychief]

That sounds great oddfellow. I am currently working on some serious rust in its bore. I can't see that it has pits but it sure feels rough from midpoint to the breech. The .45 on the other hand is smooth as glass. :thumbsup:

Thanks for your confidence, Skychief.

 

[Zonie]

I don't guarantee the quality of the picture. :grin:

 

[Skychief]

I don't guarantee the quality of the picture. :grin:

"Thar she blows"! That's what I bought Zonie. Thanks very much for posting this!

Skychief. :bow:

 

[paulvallandigham]

I met Bob Tingle at his booth on Commercial Row on my first visit to Friendship in 1963. I drooled over his guns. They were very well made, and he sold a lot of them to the shooters at the NMLRA shoots. I was interested in that single shot pistol, but I was too young to buy it, and by the time I was finished with School, Bob had pretty much retired, and I didn't get back into BP shooting until after he had passed away. I bought one of his adjustable powder measures with the attached funnel.

As to when your gun was made, with a 4 digit serial Number, it has to be an early gun. Shelbyville is just up the road from Friendship( about 1.5 hours drive), so I am sure there are people at the NMRLA who can help you find information about when the guns were produced, and possibly tell you who to call about aging your particular gun.

Those were fine, carefully built guns, in their day, and its still rare to find one of the mule ear shotguns on a used gun rack.

 

[Bow Creek Bob]

Skychief, Had a muzzleloading shop in Kansas back in the 1970's. Ordred a tingle rifle dealers cost was about $170.00 back then. The rifle had a coil-spring lock and didn't look that great to me so sold it on an auction my uncle had, didn't even shoot it. Went to a shoot sometime later a guy was shooting one. He was kickin everybody's behind. Realized right then I made a mistake. A great collectors rifle and a great shooter.

 

[Skychief]

Paul and Bob, thanks for the replies. I also bought a 32 caliber Douglas barrel made for this specific rifle in the transaction. The rifle is well made. I shot both barrels over the weekend, and yes, they are accurate! :shocked2:

Thanks for replying, Skychief.