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I Have This Other Old Rifle

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Your pointed tang is like my William Douglas rifle (Cocke Co. TN). Although you have 2 screw holes.
Unfortunately, your trigger bow shape isn’t like my WD - so doubtful it’s by him.
Nothing on the top of the barrel?
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That's another terrific old southern rifle you have there, @52Bore . Thanks for bringing it out!

We have four old Tennessee rifles in the family collection (not in my personal possession, though), and if my memory is correct, two of them have pointed tangs like that. One of the others has the classic "lollipop" tang that traverses the entire length of the wrist, and I think the fourth one has a rounded end on the tang. The next time I get over there, I want to pull those out and look them over again.

Notchy Bob
 
Notchy Bob.
Thanks
I hesitated posting photos as to not to distract from the OP - but figured a photo was worth 1000 words to Badginger.
Let’s keep with trying to help him than getting off course.
 
Please continue and add all the pictures you like. I'm here to learn!

Here are some more pictures that might help identify this old piece. I continue to look for any markings and have found none. I don't want to take the barrel out to look any further.

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How long is the barrel?
I’ve seen that promannt ‘line’ along the center of the right side on another E. TN rifle - Bible, I believe.

The TN Longrifle show in Knoxville each spring would be a great place to get 1st hand accounts..
 
I have a lot of information on the family, but I’ll have to read through a lot of documents papers to get most of it. However, I do remember they came from Scotland to the Carolinas then on to Kentucky.

The barrel measures 38 3/8" in length.

As you can see I have a lot of studying to do, this is the first page of a three ring binder 🤓

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That’s shorter than usual.
You’d have to remove the barrel from the stock to see if there are oddly placed or additional dovetails on the under that might indicate it was shortened. Regardless, it is what it is.. It would, most likely be shortened from the breech end.
Sights look correct.

This looks like a washer at the breech?
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Thanks, I also thought that was an odd length and as I said earlier, I remember grandad or someone saying that the barrel was rebored and that could have involved cutting off a worn-out breach area of the barrel. I'll look at taking it apart, but I'm concerned as it seems pretty fragile, and I don't want put new parts on it if I break something.
 
Thanks, I also thought that was an odd length and as I said earlier, I remember grandad or someone saying that the barrel was rebored and that could have involved cutting off a worn-out breach area of the barrel. I'll look at taking it apart, but I'm concerned as it seems pretty fragile, and I don't want put new parts on it if I break something.
I would not attempt removing the barrel exactly for the reasons you stated, it is a great gun with a documented history accept it for what it is and enjoy the gun, not to hi-jack a thread but there is a set of chairs that my great-grandfather made, I know who has them (a distant cousin) I have ask her about them and told her I would like to have them. She told me they were promised to her daughter) You were blessed with this rifle hopefully you have a son who can receive it and add to its history down the road.
 
Please continue and add all the pictures you like. I'm here to learn!

Here are some more pictures that might help identify this old piece. I continue to look for any markings and have found none. I don't want to take the barrel out to look any further.

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Great looking rifle @Badfinger .I always love the back stories that come with family heirlooms. Like others have said, if could talk. I agree @Tanselman is a great source of information, he informed me about my rifle made around 1840s. Enjoy, Bruce
 
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