"Hog" Rifle

[Okwaho]

Docwilly,
IMHO: The term Hog rifle, Bear rifle, and Squirrel rifle are all stereotyped names more to describe the primary use of the gun.

I think under .50 cal is the more common cal. when refering to the rifle as a Hog Rifle. Something between .45 and .50 seems to be the most common as Tom pointed out. The larger calibers seem to show up a little farther up the mountain range. They also get called Bear rifles then but they overall look is very similar.
I'm partial to Chamber's Late Ketland lock if you round the tail off. R.R.Davis also makes a good squaretail English lock that would be fine. L&R's Manton is correct if you feel good about using an L&R lock.
Cheers,
Ken

Ken
after looking at one helluva lot of Tennessee rifles over the years I agree with your post and especially as to the locks. Tennessee rifle locks tend to fall into several categories as you suggest. These are round tail, tiny tit on the rear and, although seldom seen, the square tail. I once had a Charles Bean the elder rifle with a square tail lock.The quality of locks seemed to vary according to the quality of the gun.The Baxter Bean {the elder ?} pistols in Nashville have fine original flint Ketland locks and the Baxter Bean {the younger ?}rifle I owned had a rather common original percussion lock.I have seen several late 19th century Kellar rifles with common percussion locks and one with a modified shotgun lock.I once saw a southern {probably Tennessee} rifle in Mississippi with a Harpers Ferry lock.I suspect that many of the very late rifles had hardware store locks and a few had back action locks.Again I don't recall any Germanic locks but am not inclined to rule them out completely.Restocks and cobbled up composite guns are seen from time to time.
I heartily recommend Jerry Noble's fine research and books on these rifles.
As always I welcome responsible opposing comment
:bow: :v
Tom Patton

 

[jdkerstetter]

I agree completely with your assessment on the locks, although I rule out German locks for my use, as do many others.

Like you I haven't seen German locks on these guns, other than on contemporary builds.

For those that don't know, generally you can tell one from the other by looking at the priming pan.

English are rounded on the bottom and German are normally triangular.

Enjoy, J.D.

 

[Dphar]

Need opinions/ history. Im gonna build a Tennesee "hog" rifle. Got the 42" full length walnut stock inletted for a 1" channel. I know they typically used iron furniture & thats OK. I was going to put in a L&R Maston Flint lock (is that OK?). & punch the caliber to 58 (like to go 62, but dont want to order a special). (would 50 cal. be more typical?) I can find little history on a "Hog" rifle, are they the same as a Tennesee Rifle?

In advance I thank all who respond.

Docwilly

If you intend to make a 58 you better consider a redesign the buttstock/buttplate from the typical Tenn rifle which is designed for calibers 45 an below as are many "American" rifles of the post 1790 period or even before.

Dan