QUITE A GENIUS IN ART: WILEY G. HIGGINS, MASTER GUNSMITH by Wayne Elliott from paper to American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin (2020) 121:17-33

 

Full article can be found at the link here.

The Gamecock Rife has made an appearance at the 31st Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show in 2009.

Reprinted from the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin (2020) 121:17-33 Additional articles available at http://americansocietyofarmscollectors.org/resources/articles/

Photo from the Tennessee Kentucky Rifle Show by Jan Riser.

Wiley Higgens Fowler

Thanks to the sharp eye of Kenneth Orr, Matt Verdery and I were able to acquire the only known fowler made by Georgia’s great gunsmith Wiley G. Higgins. I would date it around 1835. Like most of Higgins’ work, it is unsigned, but for those who have studied his guns, there is no question but that he made this little gem. The condition is virtually “as new”.

Copy and photos supplied by Wayne Elliott.

Wiley Higgins Pistol

Photos by Kenneth Orr.

Pistol by Wiley G. Higgins

This silver and gold trimmed pistol was made by Wiley G. Higgins of Indian Springs, Georgia. Made originally as a flintlock and later converted to percussion, probably by the maker. Its over all length is 10 1/4 inch with a 28 caliber 6 1/8 inch barrel.

Copy and photos supplied by friend of Contemporary Makers Blog.

Rare Georgia Made Silver Mounted Pistol Attributed to Wiley Higgins

This attractive highly decorated percussion pistol, made in the era of “Bowie Knives, Derringers and River Boats”, has a 5 ¾ inch full octagon .52 caliber smooth barrel. The pistol, obviously of Georgia manufacture, has been attributed to the famous gunsmith Wiley Grover Higgins Sr. (1799 - 1859). The finely engraved lock is surrounded by silver facing, typical of Higgins guns. (Reference page 60 of the book “Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Georgia". The pistol is elaborately silver mounted with silver trigger guard, butt cap, nose cap and two piece side plate. The silver decorative inlays are very similar in design to those on the Higgins pistols/rifles pictured in the Georgia book. The barrel tang is surrounded by silver facing and the checkered wrist features a full length silver grip strap. The pistol has a nice Walnut ebonized stock. Wiley Higgins was born in Laurens County, South Carolina after which he settled as a gunsmith in Monroe County Georgia and later in Macon County Georgia about 1850. Wiley Higgins is the most celebrated of all the identified early Georgia gun makers. A signed rifle by Wiley G. Higgins pictured in Joe Kindig’s “Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle in its Golden Age” was described by Kindig as “by far the most artistic Kentucky Rifle of its period that I have ever seen”. That rifle is presently on display in Louisville Kentucky in the collection of the Frazer Gun Museum. In addition, a Higgins pistol is in the collection at Andrew Jackson’s home “the Hermitage” having been a family piece and gun attributed to Wiley Higgins pictured in the Georgia book was made for the governor of Arkansas. Included: Copy of the book “Gunsmiths and Allied Tradesmen of Georgia”. 

CONDITION: This pistol appears to be in very nice original condition throughout.  The finely engraved lock retains its original Fire bluing with traces of bluing also on the barrel. 4-49676 RG9 (18,000-35,000)

Copy and photos from James Julia.