Southern pistols

[JQuigley]

Call it curiosity but I’ve been wondering. Been looking a lot into “southern mountain rifles” and got to thinking about what a pistol built by one of the many makers would look like. Friend of mine wants me to build her an SMR and I’d like to make her a pistol to match it but I’d like to keep it in the same style. Anyone have pictures of any originals? I know trade pistols were common as well as percussion revolvers later on but I’m talking early percussion era. I know of the Asa Waters pistols and like them but I’d prefer something more visibly matching to the SMR. I’ll reiterate. Does anyone have any pictures of original guns made by any of the schools down south? Thanks!

 

[wiscoaster]

Very cool idea. Just posting so as to watch what answers you get.

 

[JQuigley]

Very cool idea. Just posting so as to watch what answers you get.

No problem! Hopefully we get our answer soon.

 

[Taevers]

No problem! Hopefully we get our answer soon.

I’ll be watching and following. Hope to learn some as well.

 

[springfield art]

Yes, this site has a propensity for uncovering interesting stuff!

 

[1950DAVE]

Cherokee pistol, 1843

The inscription on this .28-caliber percussion pistol identifies its maker as Salola (Squirrel), a blacksmith in the Oconaluftee settlement of Quallatown, North Carolina, who provided all the settlement’s axes and plows. In addition, he manufactured “a number of very superior rifles and pistols,” as a white visitor who met Salola in 1848 noted. “A specimen of his workmanship . . . may be seen at the Patent Office in Washington, where it was deposited by Mr. Thomas and I believe Salola is the first Indian who ever manufactured an entire gun”.

 

[JQuigley]

Cherokee pistol, 1843

The inscription on this .28-caliber percussion pistol identifies its maker as Salola (Squirrel), a blacksmith in the Oconaluftee settlement of Quallatown, North Carolina, who provided all the settlement’s axes and plows. In addition, he manufactured “a number of very superior rifles and pistols,” as a white visitor who met Salola in 1848 noted. “A specimen of his workmanship . . . may be seen at the Patent Office in Washington, where it was deposited by Mr. Thomas and I believe Salola is the first Indian who ever manufactured an entire gun”.

Wow that’s an interesting piece. Never pictured that style being built by a blacksmith. Always seemed like more of a mass produced piece to me

 

[1950DAVE]

I saw it at the Cherokee Indian museum in Cherokee, NC some time ago so it came to mind when I read your post.

 

[JQuigley]

I saw it at the Cherokee Indian museum in Cherokee, NC some time ago so it came to mind when I read your post.

It’s a real nice piece. One of the better ones in that style I’ve seen. Thank you!

 

[1950DAVE]

You can’t get more Southern Mountain than Cherokee. Or the Cherokees.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Indeed one does learn on this site,,I’d never heard of an Indian gunsmith before, and that pistol puts him in the ranks of the gunsmiths.

 

[KingOfKindling]

The Kentucky Rifle Foundation sells USB sticks with libraries of high definition pictures from the various gun schools. Volume 14, "Smokey Mountain Rifles" contains a few pistols, one of which is the Salola Pistol mentioned above. The USB sticks are totally worth it, very high quality pictures you can easily zoom in on.

If you want a good match for the Kibler SMR there are a couple pistols by members of the Bull family. They've got Ketland locks like the SMR. Would be a good match for a Kibler. I'd like to build something similar myself eventually.

This is one by John Bull. The double set trigger is pretty cool on a pistol.

Here's an article about a clone of a similar pistol made by Elisha Bull.

https://www.blackpowdermag.com/mike-millers-copy-of-the-elisha-bull-pistol/

 

[JQuigley]

The Kentucky Rifle Foundation sells USB sticks with libraries of high definition pictures from the various gun schools. Volume 14, "Smokey Mountain Rifles" contains a few pistols, one of which is the Salola Pistol mentioned above. The USB sticks are totally worth it, very high quality pictures you can easily zoom in on.

If you want a good match for the Kibler SMR there are a couple pistols by members of the Bull family. They've got Ketland locks like the SMR. Would be a good match for a Kibler. I'd like to build something similar myself eventually.

This is one by John Bull. The double set trigger is pretty cool on a pistol.

View attachment 358424

Here's an article about a clone of a similar pistol made by Elisha Bull.

https://www.blackpowdermag.com/mike-millers-copy-of-the-elisha-bull-pistol/

Great! I’ll check it out. Thank you!