New member seeks info on Southern rifle makers

[Buzzardino]

Hi all, I used to be a member of this forum many years ago, but have since forgotten my username, password, got divorced, recovered from economical ruin and basically started a new life. I rediscovered the forum a couple of weeks ago, and thought it was time to register again to get access to the closed forums. So here I am.

I recently picked up a copy of the book From Musket to Metallic Cartridge. On page 51 the book shows a beautiful East Tennesse Southern Mountain longrifle made by Steven Bookout who is now retired from building rifles according to his website. Can anyone suggest another maker that builds similar rifles? Preferably percussion.

 

[54ball]

Link Ken Guy

 

[Blizzard of '93]

google 'gillispie rifles'. d. crockett supposedly had one.

 

[Alden]

I'm guessing Mr. Gillispie is retired too...

 

[54ball]

google 'gillispie rifles'. d. Crockett supposedly had one.

According to North Carolina mountain lore, It was Boone who was rumored to have a Gillespie.

+No proof of this has been found and it is highly unlikely that Daniel Boone owned a Gillespie made rifle. If he did, It was likely made by another branch of the Gillespie family.

There are existing Gillespie rifles that date to Crockett's lifetime but I know of no evidence that confirms Crockett owned one.

The first census listed Gillespie gunsmith was John 1756/60-1826. The oldest known Gillespie dates to 1810. It could possibly be a John Gillespie but it is just as likely made by one of his sons.

I would like to think John made rifles in the Rev War era. Family lore says he carried one at either Kings Mountain or Cowpens. Other than that , there is no proof at this time that a Gillespie dates that early. If one is confirmed, It would be the Holy Grail of Southern Rifles or more accurately, the Missing Link.

Although John is listed as a Gunsmith as early as the 1780s and remains of his iron works have been found, it's possible he was a barrel maker in that early era and not a traditional gunsmith. Through his ties in forging barrels, his son's may have picked up the craft and actually been the first true gunsmiths.

There are lots of things we will never know, unless something turns up.

+ Boone had ties to NC. If he did own a Gillespie, it would have been later in his life, namely his time in West Virginia.
If John did fight at Kings Mountain, there may be a link there with David Crockett's father. So there is lots of room for speculation but no definite proof.

Buzzardino Here is a link for Gillespie parts patterned off original Gillespie Rifles. Now you would have to find a builder to assemble them. You might could try Ken Guy.
Link Gillespie Rifles

 

[tenngun]

I'm guessing Mr. Gillispie is retired too...

Taint retired ...just backlogged. I'm sure there is somthing akin to the old trucker never die joke. old riflesmiths never die they just...

 

[Buzzardino]

Thanks for the replies guys. I see that Bookout has had many apprentices that are now active builders and Ken Guy seems to be one of them. Most custom builders are backlogged but I guess it's worth the wait.

 

[Vaino]

Ian Pratt makes beautiful Southern LRs.....Fred

 

[Bill Knapp]

I have a Bookout, but it's a flint. Ken Guy is a great builder, so is jack Dupre, Ian Pratt, Keith Lisle. I have guns built by all of these guy's great guns all.
Here's my Bookout, it was his web site lead picture "Miss Magie"

.



Bill

 

[TIM COMPTONSR]

Dennis Glazner is a derict decendant of the gellispie rifle makers. He is a gun builder that specializes in building the gillespie rifle. The only way I know to get in touch with him is to go to the american longrifle forum. You will find him there. He is the administrater of A.L.R.

knockemstiff

 

[Mountain Rifleman]

Give Mike Davis of MS,a look.mike studied under Hershal House.makes a Beautiful Southern Rifle.

 

[kaintuck]

Also try Mark Elliott ....his work is also fantastic, forges his own iron too!!
Marc