Tingle rifles, pistols, and shotguns

There was a guy on the primitive range at Friendship that had one of the half stock Tingles on his blanket. I talked to him for quite a while about that particular style, as well as the single shot pistol Tingle made and several other lesser known models.
Considering the number that were produced over the years, you really don’t see that many Tingle rifles for sale.
What I would like to know is, for those of you who were in the game before the emergence of Thompson Center and CVA, how many of you started with, or at least owned and shot a rifle, pistol, or shotgun manufactured by Bob Tingle? How many of you still have one?

 

[ohio ramrod]

I have a shotgun he made and really like it. It is my favorite trap gun. It has a unique slide slapper lock with a half cock.I prefer it to my pedroseli double for serious trap shooting. But I have to admit the pedroseli looks nicer and "feels" better balanced. :idunno:

 

[illuveatar]

I've never heard of Bob Tingle, any idea what years he was building guns? Anyone got pictures ??

 

I've never heard of Bob Tingle, any idea what years he was building guns? Anyone got pictures ??

Tingle Manufacturing was in Shelbyville, Indiana. I’m not sure when the business started, I’d guess early sixties but it could have been even the fifties. It essentially ended when Bob died, a possible victim of the “Blizzard of 78”.
Part of the business is still around in the guise of Circle Fly shotgun wads. I had a few old partial boxes of wads that still had the Tingle logo on them that I gave to Gary Butler several years ago. Gary is the one responsible for keeping the wads in production by buying the tooling at the estate sale.
The mainstays of his gun production were a half stock percussion rifle with a poured nose cap and a ugly beyond words stock, and a single shot percussion pistol that was copied by at least two other makers. In lesser numbers, he made side-slapper shotguns, both single barrel and over-under.
What makes things interesting is that once in a while a Tingle gun will surface that is “different” from what is usually thought of as a Tingle gun. I’ve seen a Tingle revolver, and a bench gun that actually had some style to it. There was one one-of-kind Tingle I’ll never forget. George Tolen, of Shelbyville, had a single barrel side-slapper Tingle shotgun in two gauge. There was a picture in a 71 or 72 Muzzle Blasts that showed him using a broomstick, with the broom still attached, for a ramrod.
For their time, Tingle rifles filled an important niche. Appearance aside, they were made with good parts and were a good choice for serious target shooters and hunters who wanted something better than the offerings from Spain or Italy, but couldn’t afford a true custom gun, or an original.
I had one at one time and sold it. It’s one of the sales I kick myself for. It wasn’t just a rifle, it was a piece of history in the modern era of muzzleloader shooting.

 

[Snow on the Roof]

As a boy during, the mid to late 60's, I was a target boy at the Indiana State Shoot then held in Indy. I recall several pistol shooters using a "contoversial" target pistol built by Tingle. Essentially it was a well built "direct ignition" pistol which was veeeery accurate in the hands of a talented shooter. My Dad referred to them as "zip-guns" and thought of their use as cheating...I guess "that" argument is not a new one.

Snow

 

[Rifleman1776]

Yes, a very accurate run down of the Tingle era. I would argue the "ugly" part. His rifles were different but beauty is in the eye of the beholder and results at the 'X's. Bob was never a really high volume builder. That would account for the limited number of his rifles one sees on the used market. Methinks more would be found in Indiana around his stomping grounds than anywhere. He did not do nationwide marketing that I am aware of.

 

[Zoar]

Here is a link with some very valuable pictures of Bob Tingle guns:
http://www.gunrightsmedia.com/showthread.php?403109-BOB-TINGLE-GUNS-OF-THE-50s

I find them quite attractive although needlessly heavy, a bit bulky. Otherwise quite attractive.

 

[Rifleman1776]

That rifle is not typical of his half stock rifles which were much more mountain rifle/Leman/Hawken-like styles and comfortable for offhand use. That one looks like a custom designed "Indiana Schuetzen".

 

[will5a1]

On May 22d of this year I lost an auction for one of his rifles, a .45, serial #116, in nice shape, seller indicated it had a 1-48 twist, and I am still kicking myself for not placing a higher proxy bid on it.

 

[Skychief]

Randy and all, I have a Tingle half stocked rifle with .45 and .32 caliber barrels.

To say that it "shoots" would be an understatement. I too think the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I will say that I own no gun that is comparable to the Tingle for offhand shooting comfort. There's a reason the stocks were built as they were.

I am a Hoosier. It is possible that the few Tingle rifles produced are mainly found in Indiana.

I have thought of "thinning the herd" from time to time. I may sell the Tingle here one day, so, stay tuned.

Skychief.

 

[Zonie]

My "1973 GUN WORLD ANNUAL" magazine shows three of Tingles guns.

On page 87 is the "TINGLE MODEL 1962 TARGET RIFLE".

This appears to be a fairly typical mountain style halfstock with a poured pewter tip.

The text says, "Available in .360, .450 and .500 caliber; 32 inch rifled octagon barrel, 1 turn in 52 inches; adjustable double set triggers, fixed blade front sight, windage and elevation adjustable rear; lacquered walnut stock, blued barrel, lock and trigger; polished brass trigger guard and butt plate; weighs 10 pounds; overall length is 48 inches. $139.95

Below this on the same page it shows the "TINGLE SINGLE BARREL SHOTGUN; Features a mule ear side hammer lock; 12 guage; 30-inch barrel; straight bore with no choke; blued metal finish; lacquered walnut stock; iron trigger guard; rubber recoil pad; weighs 5 pounds. $99.75

On page 91 the magazine shows the pistol that is shown in the link above. The description says,
"TINGLE SINGLE-SHOT TARGET PISTOL: A choice of serious target shooters, the .40 caliber pistol is available with a 8, 9, 10 or 12 inch rifled octagon barrel measuring a true .400-inch from land to land; fitted with hand-filling lacquered walnut grips; adjustable rear sight, fixed blade front; blued finish; weighs 33 ounces with a 8-inch barrel. $64.95".

To give some perspective on these prices the list price of a TC Hawken in the same magazine was $175 percussion, $190 flint.
A Centennial Arms 1863 Zouave Remington (Italian made) was $84.50 and a Numrich H&A DELUXE BUGGY RIFLE underhammer was $84.95

 

[Rifleman1776]

Love those 1973 prices.
I still have some tins of Navy Arms caps I sold in my ml shop for 79 cents. I closed the shop in 1976.

 

[Skychief]

My "1973 GUN WORLD ANNUAL" magazine shows three of Tingles guns.

On page 87 is the "TINGLE MODEL 1962 TARGET RIFLE".

This appears to be a fairly typical mountain style halfstock with a poured pewter tip.

That's the rifle I have. :thumbsup:

 

[RedFeather]

I'm seeing those target pistols bringing (or asking) some serious money on the auction sites these days. Seems like they have more than doubled in the past couple of years.

 

[woodbeck]

There was a guy on the primitive range at Friendship that had one of the half stock Tingles on his blanket. I talked to him for quite a while about that particular style, as well as the single shot pistol Tingle made and several other lesser known models.
Considering the number that were produced over the years, you really don’t see that many Tingle rifles for sale.
What I would like to know is, for those of you who were in the game before the emergence of Thompson Center and CVA, how many of you started with, or at least owned and shot a rifle, pistol, or shotgun manufactured by Bob Tingle? How many of you still have one?

 

[Cowboy]

Okay my friend. Here is a Tingle model 1962 Target Rifle. Is .45 caliber.

1. Douglas made barrel, 1:52 twist, 15/16 across flats, 32” long. Has 8 lands and grooves. Groove depth is .013. Mirror bright bore!

2. weight of rifle is 10 pounds.

3. Overall length of muzzleloader is 48”.

4. Lacquered walnut stock with concave cheek piece, for better cheek weld to stock and sight picture. On the lock bolt side of the lock panel there’s a long line of grain that looks like a crack. It’s just the running grain of the wood. Stock is perfect.

Lastly, this very rifle is no. 884. Is extremely accurate. Balances quite well shooting off hand. Excellent sight picture!

Yes, you don’t see many of these anymore? Especially one in this shape .

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Cowboy]

 

[MSmith]

Suppose a guy had a Tingle .45 percussion rifle that wouldn't fire all the time... It fires about every third or fourth shot (cap). What do you think the problem might be? What kind of breach does it have?

 

[Cowboy]

Not a patent breech. The drum screws directly into the side wall of the barrel. Breech plug screws directly into back of barrel via a 1/4” Allen wrench. Exposed tubular lip mates with tang.

As to why you’re having ignition problems?

Could be a number of issues? I would definitely rule out a weak mainspring though! The lock has a pretty heavy duty coil spring. Way thicker and more robust than TC or Investarm coil mainspring’s.

Maybe your hammer/nipple alignment? Maybe fire channel obstruction? Maybe have portion of spent cap stuck up in hammer cup? Even may be cap not fully seated on nipple?, maybe faulty caps?, type and quality of propellant?

Lastly, when all said and done, any one or combination of these could be your problem?

I’ve personally never experienced a failure to fire with mine? Quick, reliable ignition each and every time.

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Mark Herman]

What makes this a "target" rifle as opposed to a heavy offhand?