Contemporary Makers Portraits: Dennis Glazener

Builder

Collector

GGG Grandson of John Gillespie (1753-1822)

Writer

More photos as well as information about Matthew Gillespie can be found here.

This rifle was made by Philip Gillespie of Mills River, NC.  Philip was born February 11, 1815 and died of natural causes while serving in the (Union) North Carolina Mounted Infantry in East TN on January 15, 1864.

The 52 cal barrel is also larger than any other known Gillespie Rifle. The barrel measures 37.5” in length; it is slightly swamped, measuring 1.010” at the breech. .940 in mid-section and 1.050” at the muzzle.  The barrel has 4 German silver bands inlaid around it and the muzzle also has a wide German silver inlay.  The patchbox, sideplate, wear plate, ram rod thimbles/entry pipe all appear to be made of the same German silver alloy used in the barrel inlays.  The trigger guard, butt-plate and toe plate are made from brass.  The stock is American Black Walnut.

More photos and information on this gun can be found here.

Information about ordering Dennis' book can be found here.

The Philip Gillespie gun was photographed at the 2013 Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show by Jan Riser with the copy by Dennis Glazener from his display at the 2013 show.

The Gillespie Gun Makers of East Fork NC by T. Dennis Glazener

John Gillespie was born on the banks of the Cowpsture River near Clifton Forge, Virginia circa 1753.  Shortly after the Revolutionary War hostilities ended in Virginia he and Jane Harvey Gillespie moved to the George's Creek area of the Old Pendleton District near modern day Easley, South Carolina.  Circa 1799 John and his family moved to the East Fork area of what was then Buncombe County, North Carolina.

This is the story of John Gillespie and his descendants that made the well known Gillespie mountain rifle of NC/SC/GA.  Many photos of known Gillespie rifles are shown along with information on the makers of each.

An updated 2nd edition is now available. 88 - 8.5" X 11" pages with many color photos. Some additional information on John Gillespie along with new rifles and a bear pistol @ $22.50 plus $3.00 s/h via first class mail, add $2.10 if insurance is desired.

Contact information for Dennis is tdg23113@verizon.net

Copy and photo from Dennis Glazener.

T. Dennis Glazener After Harvey Gillespie

Harvey Gillespie NC rifle 44 inch .50 caliber Rice bbl

This is a copy of an original NC rifle made by Harvey Gillespie of Mills River, Henderson County NC. It has a curly maple stock, Chambers Late Ketland Flintlock with his White Lighting vent liner, Davis double set triggers, Gillespie steel hardware, one piece steel nose cap, .50 caliber Rice 44 inch "B" profile barrel. Like the original it has a grease box that is covered by a spring activated steel cover.

Harvey Gillespie was a son of Mathew Gillespie and a brother to Philip Gillespie all of Mills River NC.

Copy and photos by T. Dennis Glazener.