Looking for info on East TN rifle builder

[Willy2763]

Has anyone ever heard of a "Samuel Cleek" or "Click"? I'm not finding anything online. Here is what I know:

- He built rifles in East TN maybe around 1860's
- He was pretty well known as a quality rifle maker at the time

I'm not sure where to look so I figured someone here might know. Thanks for any info. If this isn't in the appropriate forum please move.

 

[Salty Cracker]

Samuel Lafayette Click. There is information on him in the Foxfire5 book I believe. I think I have a copy. Let me look awhile. What is your interest with him if don't mind me asking?

 

[Willy2763]

Samuel Click is a distant relative of one of my friends and he was wondering if there were any surviving rifles or really just any information. I think his family has a copy of the Foxfire article but I don't know if it's the complete article or not.

 

[Salty Cracker]

 

[Salty Cracker]

He was supposedly a hard drinkin serious fella that learned his trade in the penitentiary. He did blacksmithing and gunbuilding as his trade.

 

[Bill M.]

That is certainly a lovely rifle.

 

[Willy2763]

Thanks for the great pictures! I have only seen a grainy black and white one before now.