I Have This Other Old Rifle

[Notchy Bob]

Your pointed tang is like my William Douglas rifle (Cocke Co. TN). Although you have 2 screw holes.
Unfortunately, your trigger bow shape isn’t like my WD - so doubtful it’s by him.
Nothing on the top of the barrel?
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That's another terrific old southern rifle you have there, @52Bore . Thanks for bringing it out!

We have four old Tennessee rifles in the family collection (not in my personal possession, though), and if my memory is correct, two of them have pointed tangs like that. One of the others has the classic "lollipop" tang that traverses the entire length of the wrist, and I think the fourth one has a rounded end on the tang. The next time I get over there, I want to pull those out and look them over again.

Notchy Bob

 

[52Bore]

Notchy Bob.
Thanks
I hesitated posting photos as to not to distract from the OP - but figured a photo was worth 1000 words to Badginger.
Let’s keep with trying to help him than getting off course.

 

[user 60625]

Please continue and add all the pictures you like. I'm here to learn!

Here are some more pictures that might help identify this old piece. I continue to look for any markings and have found none. I don't want to take the barrel out to look any further.

 

[Loja man]

What a great piece of family history to own!!

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Pointed breech plug tangs usually move towards North Carolina, as a general rule.

 

[52Bore]

How long is the barrel?
I’ve seen that promannt ‘line’ along the center of the right side on another E. TN rifle - Bible, I believe.

The TN Longrifle show in Knoxville each spring would be a great place to get 1st hand accounts..

 

[user 60625]

I have a lot of information on the family, but I’ll have to read through a lot of documents papers to get most of it. However, I do remember they came from Scotland to the Carolinas then on to Kentucky.

The barrel measures 38 3/8" in length.

As you can see I have a lot of studying to do, this is the first page of a three ring binder

 

[52Bore]

That’s shorter than usual.
You’d have to remove the barrel from the stock to see if there are oddly placed or additional dovetails on the under that might indicate it was shortened. Regardless, it is what it is.. It would, most likely be shortened from the breech end.
Sights look correct.

This looks like a washer at the breech?

 

[user 60625]

Thanks, I also thought that was an odd length and as I said earlier, I remember grandad or someone saying that the barrel was rebored and that could have involved cutting off a worn-out breach area of the barrel. I'll look at taking it apart, but I'm concerned as it seems pretty fragile, and I don't want put new parts on it if I break something.

 

[TDM]

That is one awesome piece of history @Badfinger. Thanks for showing.

 

[user 60625]

I am glad you like it but it is I who really appreciate all of you and your comments to help me to learn even more about the history of this tired old rifle.
Thank you!

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Not unusual for the barrel to be shortened. May have been 44 to 48 inches originally.

 

[user 60625]

Was the small horn for percussion caps?

I don't know for sure but it looks like you may be right, I can't think of what else it would be used for

 

[chuck1956]

Wonderful piece of history.
Thank you for sharing.

 

[Thingamajiggy]

Cool to not only have a great gun but a good story to go with it. Nice.

 

[Dutch7]

I like everything about the gun and the family history.

 

[earlwb]

I don't know for sure but it looks like you may be right, I can't think of what else it would be used for

Well the small horn could have held bullets. Being from maybe 31 up to 36 caliber when the bore was freshened up.

 

[user 60625]

I believe you are correct as I just measured the opening at 3/8"!

 

[appalichian hunter]

Thanks, I also thought that was an odd length and as I said earlier, I remember grandad or someone saying that the barrel was rebored and that could have involved cutting off a worn-out breach area of the barrel. I'll look at taking it apart, but I'm concerned as it seems pretty fragile, and I don't want put new parts on it if I break something.

I would not attempt removing the barrel exactly for the reasons you stated, it is a great gun with a documented history accept it for what it is and enjoy the gun, not to hi-jack a thread but there is a set of chairs that my great-grandfather made, I know who has them (a distant cousin) I have ask her about them and told her I would like to have them. She told me they were promised to her daughter) You were blessed with this rifle hopefully you have a son who can receive it and add to its history down the road.

 

[babstooge]

Please continue and add all the pictures you like. I'm here to learn!

Here are some more pictures that might help identify this old piece. I continue to look for any markings and have found none. I don't want to take the barrel out to look any further.

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Great looking rifle @Badfinger .I always love the back stories that come with family heirlooms. Like others have said, if could talk. I agree @Tanselman is a great source of information, he informed me about my rifle made around 1840s. Enjoy, Bruce