Would greatly appreciate some help-

[Georgia]

Keep in mind that Forrest surrendered his force and as such agreed, to have the men surrender their arms as well. Maybe he traded something else for this piece.

Not sure if the ancestor with Forest ( Cavalry, correct?) was the one who brought this back. I'm thinking it was John McCarty Shotts who was with Rice.

 

[Georgia]

Welcome from Maryland! I would imagine that just removing the trigger or hammer would have rendered the piece safe from young miscreants, not sure why it appears to missing so many original screws and parts.

Thank you. I'm thinking these boys were rather mischievous and they didn't want there to be any way, shape or form that they could end up hurting each other with the rifle. Daddy said that by the late 1930's he remembers it was in a corn crib on his Grandfather's property.

 

[captaindrew]

Welcome Georgia, from South Florida and the Reenactors Forum

 

[Seduzal]

Welcome to CWT from the Smoky Mountain side of North Carolina. Just jump right in and enjoy.

 

[Georgia]

It also lacks a nose cap that would be typical for a "Kentucky" rifle . I think it may be what would be called a "mountain rifle" , typical of backwoods areas of Tennessee and Kentucky . They were based on the "Kentucky" style but were less ornate and generally had iron mountings instead of brass. Any idea what caliber it is ?

Here are some more photos. I believe the name is "Fleming" on the part I believe is original. Could this be?
Also, here are some measured images of the barrel. Hoping this may answer the caliber question.
Thanks to all for the information and guiding me through the process of looking for clues.

 

[Kurt G]

Here are some more photos. I believe the name is "Fleming" on the part I believe is original. Could this be?
Also, here are some measured images of the barrel. Hoping this may answer the caliber question.
Thanks to all for the information and guiding me through the process of looking for clues.

View attachment 379236

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The bore is really corroded , but appears a little less than .50 caliber , possibly .46 or .47.

 

[Kurt G]

Here are some more photos. I believe the name is "Fleming" on the part I believe is original. Could this be?
Also, here are some measured images of the barrel. Hoping this may answer the caliber question.
Thanks to all for the information and guiding me through the process of looking for clues.

View attachment 379236

View attachment 379237

View attachment 379238

View attachment 379239

View attachment 379240

View attachment 379241

View attachment 379242

View attachment 379243

It may say Flemming , but it's hard to tell. You could try putting a piece of paper over the name and rubbing it with a pencil.

 

[Kurt G]

It may say Flemming , but it's hard to tell. You could try putting a piece of paper over the name and rubbing it with a pencil.

BTW , the name on the lock plate may refer to the maker of the lock and not necessarily the maker of the gun.

 

[Booner]

BTW , the name on the lock plate may refer to the maker of the lock and not necessarily the maker of the gun.

I "google" flintlock lock makers named Flemming and came up with one hit from a 2015 list of guns up for auction and their description of the gun was something like "and unmarked flintlock with a lock marked F. Flemming. Sellers asures us the gun was made in the Carolina. " Unfortunately, the link to the picture was broken so I wasn't able get a look at the gun. But I does seem to indicate that Flemming was a lockmaker only.

 

[Georgia]

The bore is really corroded , but appears a little less than .50 caliber , possibly .46 or .47.

Would either of those numbers be possible for flint lock? Bullets at that point would have been hand poured, correct?
I'm thinking since it was left in a corn crib there was a good bit of atrophy of the metal.

I "google" flintlock lock makers named Flemming and came up with one hit from a 2015 list of guns up for auction and their description of the gun was something like "and unmarked flintlock with a lock marked F. Flemming. Sellers asures us the gun was made in the Carolina. " Unfortunately, the link to the picture was broken so I wasn't able get a look at the gun. But I does seem to indicate that Flemming was a lockmaker only.

I found this listing on US makers in the era which I think it could have been made. Are either of these known makers?

 

[Kurt G]

Would either of those numbers be possible for flint lock? Bullets at that point would have been hand poured, correct?
I'm thinking since it was left in a corn crib there was a good bit of atrophy of the metal.

I found this listing on US makers in the era which I think it could have been made. Are either of these known makers?

View attachment 379286

Since these rifles were individually made the calibers can vary . From what I recall most were .45 or under . The idea was to save lead and .45 is sufficient to kill game this side of the Mississippi. Yes , the bore is in really bad shape so you can't be sure of the exact measurement .