Gillespie rifle/shotgun combo

[FlintRiverLocks]

This old girl walked into the shop for repairs today. Does anyone know anything about it? The locks and rib are marked “Gillespie” with the barrels marked “JW Wilkinson Brooklyn” on the bottom side.

I don’t see any other marks or proofs, yet. I haven’t started cleaning her up though.

It’s a 12ga with a 40 or 45 cal rifle barrel combination gun.

 

[OldRust]

Nice old double. We have some forum members who specialize in these combination guns. They should be along. In the meanwhile, Frank Sellers book lists a George H.D. Gillespie of New York, New York 1840-1870 maker of Derringers & Locks and a John W Wilkinson of Brooklyn & New York, New York 1857-1866.

Thanks,
O.R.

 

[FlintRiverLocks]

Nice old double. We have some forum members who specialize in these combination guns. They should be along. In the meanwhile, Frank Sellers book lists a George H.D. Gillespie of New York, New York 1840-1870 maker of Derringers & Locks and a John W Wilkinson of Brooklyn & New York, New York 1857-1866.

Thanks,
O.R.

Thank you so very much sir! I really appreciate your knowledge and support.

I’m off to find a copy the Sellers book to add to my collection.

I’ll get her cleaned up a little better today and take better photos. She really is a nice gun.

 

[OldRust]

https://www.amazon.com/American-Gunsmiths-Frank-Sellers/dp/1886768803

 

[FlintRiverLocks]

https://www.amazon.com/American-Gunsmiths-Frank-Sellers/dp/1886768803

Yes sir, I bought it about 3 this morning! Thank you again

 

[Bayer1957]

In the Books: Der neue Stöckel

Both Names appear several times. An inteesting task to find the right ones.

 

[OldRust]

I believe the lack of European proof marks so far will eliminate a lot of those listed in your Der neue Stöckel book.

My thoughts are did Gillespie build the combo gun with his own & JW Wilkinsons parts or did JW Wilkinson build the combo gun with his own & Gillespie parts.

Thanks,
O.R.

 

[Eric Krewson]

You might contact Dennis Gillespie on the ALR forum, he knows about everything Gillespie. He is older and was in the hospital a week or so ago so he may be hard to get ahold of right now.

 

[rafterob]

I think the Henderson County/Mills River Gillespies would pre-date that shotgun. The civil war pretty much saw the end of the Gillespie rifle building. There is a Gillespie rifle hanging in the Hendersonville courthouse museum. It is a longrifle and exhibits some crudeness reflective of the isolation of the area at that time.