Whatever happened to Tick Licker?

Bill hughes · Jan 25, 2020

Joe B. said:
I was carpentering in downtown Chicago and heard about an upcoming appearance of Mr. Parker at the Museum of Broadcast. Late 70's, early 80's. I left work and hoofed it there in a hurry with my Dixie Gun Works Powder horn. Met him at the door with felt marker in hand. Security tried to shoo me away, but I persisted and he graciously signed my horn. At least 100 people in the auditorium and he took some questions after his yarn. I foolishly asked if ol' Betsy was real and he hemmed and hawed. Probably didn't want to disillusion all the other fans there, but I got the impression it was a prop gun.

Ol Betsy was Davy Crockett, not Daniel Boone... even though he played both. Most guns in films are rendered unfunctional, but these started out as real guns. Look earlier in the post, there are images of the Davy Crockett rifle today.

Bill hughes · Jan 25, 2020

Here Ia an update on the Tick Licker replica build. Went with Jeager pipes.

Bill hughes · Jan 27, 2020

The Tick Licker replica is nearly ready for carving!

Bill hughes · Jan 28, 2020

Ready for carving and finishing. Kashtuk Bowcraft did a great job getting the Tick Licker replica in the white!

Nameless Hunter · Jan 29, 2020

Checking out Season 1, Episode 2 (the Cherokee princess episode). It shows Dan'l walking into a Cherokee village carrying what looks a LOT like a percussion rifle. I guess at the time, that sort of thing wasn't too important... ;^)

Bill hughes · Jan 30, 2020

akaMOTU said:
Checking out Season 1, Episode 2 (the Cherokee princess episode). It shows Dan'l walking into a Cherokee village carrying what looks a LOT like a percussion rifle. I guess at the time, that sort of thing wasn't too important... ;^)

Yep, looks kind of weird, but I think it’s the same rifle just cocked funny. That’s been the trouble making a replica. I’ve really had to hunt to get some good images of the rifle. As a kid watching the show, I never really could tell much about it... thanks to the Internet, I’ve gotten some good references since.

Bill hughes · Jan 30, 2020

DNS said:
Maybe someone should make a reproduction of the one used in the Daniel Boone series, before us old guys all die off.

I took you up on that!

Grenadier1758 · Jan 30, 2020

Considering the prop department probably had several (different but perhaps similar) rifles to select from for a particular scene, its up to the continuity staff to make sure everything is consistent in the shoot, Its no wonder that there have been so many sightings of rifles that my have been used "Tick Licker" in the TV series.

Bill hughes · Feb 1, 2020

Grenadier1758 said:
Considering the prop department probably had several (different but perhaps similar) rifles to select from for a particular scene, its up to the continuity staff to make sure everything is consistent in the shoot, Its no wonder that there have been so many sightings of rifles that my have been used "Tick Licker" in the TV series.

Normally that would be the case, but I’ve only seen a minor ramrod pipe change over all the years of the show. Parker was a producer and tended to care for his own props, etc... I really think there was only one rifle (other than some stunt trap door rifles).

Pete G · Feb 1, 2020

Did not anyone notice that it is a trapdoor Springfield with an added frizzen :dunno:

Bill hughes · Feb 1, 2020

Pete G said:
Did not anyone notice that it is a trapdoor Springfield with an added frizzen

That’s a stunt rifle, not the one typically used on the show... but he did take a few publicity photos with it, for some reason.

Bill hughes · Feb 25, 2020

Starting the carving...

rickystl · May 31, 2020

Hi Bill

Well, it looks like you are making progress with the replica. Good for you.

Here is a larger image of the Henry Fonda photo from Post #6 above. When you look close, and compare it to the gun Fess Parker is holding in Post #11, you could almost swear it is the same gun. Over the years a ramrod pipe or trigger guard may have been changed, but the carvings on the stock and the lock itself look identical. (I think (?) the carvings on the stock are not real wood carvings, but painted on to give the impression).

The video of the Daniel Boone T.V. Series Theme Song posted above I believe was from the 2nd or 3rd season. I recall at least the first season had Fess Parker by himself standing in a wooded area shooting the genuine flintlock.

That one Boone prop rifle made from a trapdoor action that went to auction posted above. Possibly the genuine flintlocks were used for close up shots/filming while maybe the trapdoor prop was used for certain distance scenes such as shooting while running or similar.

You know what's going to happen. About 3-4 months after you finish the gun, one of the genuine Belgium Trade guns - with the longer barrel - will show up for sale somewhere. LOL Murphy's Law.

Rick

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Bill hughes · Jun 14, 2020

rickystl said:
Hi Bill

Well, it looks like you are making progress with the replica. Good for you.

Here is a larger image of the Henry Fonda photo from Post #6 above. When you look close, and compare it to the gun Fess Parker is holding in Post #11, you could almost swear it is the same gun. Over the years a ramrod pipe or trigger guard may have been changed, but the carvings on the stock and the lock itself look identical. (I think (?) the carvings on the stock are not real wood carvings, but painted on to give the impression).

The video of the Daniel Boone T.V. Series Theme Song posted above I believe was from the 2nd or 3rd season. I recall at least the first season had Fess Parker by himself standing in a wooded area shooting the genuine flintlock.

That one Boone prop rifle made from a trapdoor action that went to auction posted above. Possibly the genuine flintlocks were used for close up shots/filming while maybe the trapdoor prop was used for certain distance scenes such as shooting while running or similar.

You know what's going to happen. About 3-4 months after you finish the gun, one of the genuine Belgium Trade guns - with the longer barrel - will show up for sale somewhere. LOL Murphy's Law.

RickView attachment 32923

Yep, that’s the same gun... and I do expect one of the Belgium guns to show up, but still having fun and that’s the whole point!

Nicksdad · Nov 2, 2020

I am a huge fan of the Daniel Boone TV series and love the rifle Fess used in it. I also would some day like
to make my own so I will be following your progress Bill with great interest.

Bill hughes · Jun 11, 2021

Nicksdad said:
I am a huge fan of the Daniel Boone TV series and love the rifle Fess used in it. I also would some day like
to make my own so I will be following your progress Bill with great interest.

I’ve been distracted by COVID and moving and whatnot. Getting back on her now…

Bill hughes · Oct 21, 2021

So it's been a while, but I'm finally getting a rough carve under way! Will move along faster now!

Capnball · Oct 21, 2021

Bill hughes said:
So it's been a while, but I'm finally getting a rough carve under way! Will move along faster now!

More pics! We love pictures!

Nicksdad · Oct 21, 2021

Very cool Bill, look forward to more pics.

Bill hughes · Oct 27, 2021

This is killing my hands!!!!

Whatever happened to Tick Licker?

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