John Selvidge Tennessee Rifle

[Zonie]

I've asked this before, but now that our membership is over 3500, perhaps some new comer will have an answer.

I'm looking for any information about John Selvidge or the rifles he made.
I believe he built rifles in Harris Creek, Tennessee.
His barrel rifleing machine and boring machine and a photo of him are shown in Dillin's The Kentucky Rifle copyright National Rifle Association of America 1924.

I have seen other tiny bits and pieces of information about John, but what I'm really looking for is information about the styles and features of the rifles he made.

Does anyone have any information they would like to pass on?

Thanks Jim

 

[JOHN L. HINNANT]

Greetings Zonie,

I believe the late Ned Roberts had some information about John Selveridge in his classic book, THE MUZZLE LOADING CAPLOCK CAPLOCK RIFLE.

 

[Zonie]

Thanks for the information. I'll look into that book.

Does anyone have an idea about what style of gun would have been made in Harris Creek Tenn in the early 1800?

Barn gun? Southern Mountain? Grease hole in the butt? ::

 

John Selvidge of Bradley Tenn made traditional mountain rifles. He is mentioned in a couple of books, but the only photos of a rifle he made are found in Shumway's re-issue (or the hard to find original)volumes of his Longrifles of Note articles. See page 119 of V.II of Longrifles of Note by Shumway. Photo shows an iron mounted curly maple Tenn rifle in .41, percussion with iron capbox. :redthumb:

 

[Zonie]

Thanks Mike. I'll keep my eyes open for it (or break down and buy a copy).

Is this Shumways "LONGRIFLE ARTICLES Published in MuzzleBlast, vol II ? or another book I don't see listed at Shumwaypublisher

 

I believe so, it is not in front of me, but there are two volumes (get both, you will not be sorry)and they are reprints of his Longrifle articles from MuzzleBlasts. I also highly recommend his Rifles of Colonial America volumes I and II.

Thanks Mike. I'll keep my eyes open for it (or break down and buy a copy).

Is this Shumways "LONGRIFLE ARTICLES Published in MuzzleBlast, vol II ? or another book I don't see listed at Shumwaypublisher

 

[selvidge]

I may have some information that may be of interest to you. John Selvidge was a relative of mine and I have one of his Kentucky Longrifles. What do you want to know? I think it is a .32 calibre. John's name is engraved in the barrel.
It had been in a house fire so the original stock has been replaced with a replicated one made of Tiger Maple. It's still functional, as a matter of fact, I just fired it off today.
There used to be a Selvidge Gunsmith display set up at Knott's Berry Farm in California. It was back in 1985 or '86 when I was there last, so I'm not sure if it's still there or not.

 

[selvidge]

Correction: John Selvidge rifle is 41 cal.

 

[Zonie]

Do you have any pictures of the Selvidge rifle that you could post?
I'm interested in the style of lock, trigger guard etc that he used on his guns.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[GranPaOrca]

Are you still interested in John Selvidge rifles? I have my father's 1836 ~36 cal, Cap&all squirrel rifle. Also have the original bullet mold which has makes a ball and bullet. I believe it is still all original. Has never been restored. Was last fired in early 1960. My Dad, brother and I each shot 2 rounds. On the next start of the next round, the hammer dropped. On its own and we decided to call it quits.

I just happened to see this post. I can supply pictures if you want.