Dixie Gun Works Moutain Rifle ?

[Rock Home Isle]

Recently a shop near my work has been getting muzzleloaders in and lots of them. A local collector and enthusiast passed and his whole lot has been auctioned his remaining muzzleloaders were sold to this shop. The rifle is a Dixie Gun Works Tennesee Mountain Rifle, Barrel marked Made in Japan. It has a 41" barrel, .50 caliber and an additional lock thay comes with it only missing its spring ( frizzen spring I think ). Looks decent, bore isnt damaged neither is the stock. It is for sale for $730.00, is this a good deal or is this high for a rifle like this. It seems old maybe 1970s or 1980s manufacture. Has anyone ever seen or used these before ? Im looking for ny first flintlock rifle and Im trying to find out if this is a good rifle or something I should pass on for another rifle later on. I will post pictures later when I get off of work.

I’ve been watching the Dixie GunWorks Tennessee for the last year…on this site and on gunbroker. I did not follow all guns that I found, I only collected data on guns that I would be willing to buy. So junk, abused, damaged and parts guns were ignored. They used to be going for $500.00 to $700.00, with most of them in the $600 to $675 region

Over the last 6 months, they are edging noticeably higher…$650.00 to $850.00 seems to be the normal range, with most selling for $700 to $780. The gun could be had in .32 calibre & .50 calibre, calibre doesn’t seem to be a factor in price…both are moving higher in the auctions that I’ve followed.

These guns are barrel heavy…the .50 calibre is very barrel heavy.

L&R makes a very solid replacement lock for this gun, but read the descriptors for the lock. The gun was manufactured in both Japan and Belgium…L&Rs replacement lock drops in nicely for only one of these OEMs.

I have both calibres, .32 calibre & .50 calibre. As stated, they are ver barrel heavy…with that in mind, I’ve since converted both to 36” Coreleraine (sp) Barrels. The .32 calibre was converted to .45 calibre, and weighs in at 7.0 lbs. The .50 calibre had been converted from the original lock to a large Siler lock, by the original owner; it is now a .54 calibre and weighs in at 8.5 lbs.

Both of my guns are flintlocks, and solid tack drivers, before and after the re-barreling. The .45 calibre is now one of my favorite flintlocks, and I cannot wait for deer season this coming fall. The .54 calibre is now a solid Elk rifle, though I’m still developing a good hunting load…it seems to be very adaptive to differing ball & patch combinations. Corerleraine (sp) makes an amazing product.

I love this gun, I wish Dixie had offered it in multiple calibres, besides the limited offering of .32 & .50. In a .40 calibre…it would have been a dream to shoot…

The .50 calibre platform is just heavy regardless of calibre…in my opinion.

 

[Willy]

If Dixie had ever brought the TMR out in 54 cal, I'd have snapped one up.

 

[Zapadach]

Recently a shop near my work has been getting muzzleloaders in and lots of them. A local collector and enthusiast passed and his whole lot has been auctioned his remaining muzzleloaders were sold to this shop. The rifle is a Dixie Gun Works Tennesee Mountain Rifle, Barrel marked Made in Japan. It has a 41" barrel, .50 caliber and an additional lock thay comes with it only missing its spring ( frizzen spring I think ). Looks decent, bore isnt damaged neither is the stock. It is for sale for $730.00, is this a good deal or is this high for a rifle like this. It seems old maybe 1970s or 1980s manufacture. Has anyone ever seen or used these before ? Im looking for ny first flintlock rifle and Im trying to find out if this is a good rifle or something I should pass on for another rifle later on. I will post pictures later when I get off of work.

I have owned that very same rifle that I bought around 1980. In my opinion it is the best factory made rifle out there. I payed $190.00 for it and really regret getting rid of it. However, if you could talk them down to around $500.00 or less grab it. $730.00 is a bit much.

 

[sturmkatze]

Do you think itd be good for hunting ? I dont have any rifle at this point in time so it will be my first and only flintlock rifle so far as of right now. She is kinda muzzle heavy.

Yes, it would. It's a good gun and with the other lock, worth it. Remember, opinions on the internet are just that. I have 2 of these. Actually with one serial number between them. You know, you can try and bargain with them.

 

[Y2GREY]

I have 2 .50 TMRs and a .50 lefty project that is in need of a frizzen to return to the woods. There are quite a few differences between my #133 and #6969. Introduced in 1978, 133 has a walnut stock of different proportions, drop, fit and finish as well as a 13/16 barrel. Unlike 6969 it is not muzzle heavy. I’ve attached a few pictures for comparison.

 

[Nobade]

That explains a lot. I did not know they were two different rifles. Mine is one of the high numbered Japanese ones.

 

[Y2GREY]

That explains a lot. I did not know they were two different rifles. Mine is one of the high numbered Japanese ones.

All my TMRs are made in Japan. 133 is a much nicer piece.

 

[vintovka]

If Dixie had ever brought the TMR out in 54 cal, I'd have snapped one up.

The barrel width was very limited on tmrs. Not sure if 14 or 15/16 was the limit and .54 may not have been possible. I am surprised they didn't limit them to .45. Should add if things keep going the way they are they will be asking $1400 this time next year,

 

[Mark Herman]

I have had several and still do. Only problem I ever had was it being muzzle heavy. Cut off 6" and it's a totally different, better, rifle.

 

[Willy]

The barrel width was very limited on tmrs. Not sure if 14 or 15/16 was the limit and .54 may not have been possible. I am surprised they didn't limit them to .45. Should add if things keep going the way they are they will be asking $1400 this time next year,

I called Dixie in the early '80s to ask about the possibility of a 54 and was told pretty much that 54 just didn't leave enough metal in the barrel.

 

[vintovka]

I called Dixie in the early '80s to ask about the possibility of a 54 and was told pretty much that 54 just didn't leave enough metal in the barrel.

Yes what they told me. BTW the locks and triggers on my early one have been just fine and actually better than the GPR. Flinter sparks fine and gotten 100's of of a single amber flint. I think the early ones were all hand crafted under typically strict japanese supervision.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I have had several and still do. Only problem I ever had was it being muzzle heavy. Cut off 6" and it's a totally different, better, rifle.

That is so true…both of mine are now 36” in barrel length, completely changes the feel and hold of the gun.

I’m looking for another .32 calibre, I really want that Little .40 Calibre that started it all.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I called Dixie in the early '80s to ask about the possibility of a 54 and was told pretty much that 54 just didn't leave enough metal in the barrel.

I rebarreled my .50 calibre into a 15/16ths .54 calibre…very nice flintlock

 

[Murphinator]

Ive decided against the Dixie Gun Works Tennesee Mountain Rifle. The spare lock included isnt functional ( shop owner doesnt know why). He wont come down on the price which from what many members are saying to way to high. Also due to everything im hearing about the unreliability of the lock Im going to hold off. A starter rifle for me is something I can stick with for at least 5-7 years and not have sink lots of money into past orignial purchase price and certain modifications if it is a kit rifle. Thanks to everyone who has replied to this thread.