New interest in muzzleloading

[grayghost]

I just found a 1976 consumer reports on gun buying and read the article about muzzleloading. It made the statement that in the 1950's Navy Arms and Dixiegun Works started a new interest in Muzzleloading. In a way it is true, but I know that in my part of the world Muzzleloading never died out until about this time. When I was a little bitty feller in the early 1970's My Dad raised crops on my Greatgandfather's farm outside of Lewisburg KY. I used to play hooky from school to spend time with Granddaddy. He would take me for walks in the woods and taught me a lot. His favorate gun was a Stevens Favorite .22 rifle. I remember him telling me that he traded his old percusion long rifle for it around 1955. He said he wished he hadn't many times, for as much as he liked his .22 it did not compare to his old muzzleloader. He said about that time a traveling gun dealer came through and most of the farmers in the area traded their old smokepoles for cartridge guns. I only wish that I could remember more of what he told me. I would like to know what caliber it was and who made it.

 

[Bob J]

I remember him telling me that he traded his old percusion long rifle for it around 1955. He said he wished he hadn't many times, for as much as he liked his .22 it did not compare to his old muzzleloader. He said about that time a traveling gun dealer came through and most of the farmers in the area traded their old smokepoles for cartridge guns. I only wish that I could remember more of what he told me.

Wonder if the "traveling gun dealer" was Turner Kirkland?
BTW, mt granddad grew up in W. Tennessee (Selmer and Fruitland areas), born in 1898. He told me he used to go into the old General Store (circa 1910)and get a bottled cold drink and some cheese and crackers (barrel of crackers with a big wedge of cheese on top with knife) and they still sold loose shot and blackpowder for those using ML shotguns.

 

[jim gray]

I read that Turner Kirkland bought up a lot of guns for $2.00-$5.00 each or something like that. That would have been one he!! of an investment.

 

[Gary]

Was told about one dealer who came to Friendship, IN where the NMLRA meets. His truck's bed was loaded with iron mounted southern guns. You picked yours for $50 and he made a handsome profit. Nowadays we'd scramble over each other to get one at that price. The nice thing is that we cherish each of these old guns as each has a story to tell.

 

[cayugad]

I'm sure a lot of them old guns were traded off. And of course they would have been missed later... ::

At least I still have my Grandfathers Steven's Provin Favorite .22 caliber. For those that have not seen these old rifles, mine has a turn bolt/saddle ring on the bottom of the receiver you unscrew, the barrel then turns out of lock and comes off. You then put a new .22 cartridge in the barrel, replace the barrel in the reciever and relock it in place. After turning back in the screw your ready to shoot again. Not what you would call a fast fire rifle. It was the first model of the Steven's that came out, I was told... :winking: