The Gillespie Gun Makers of East Fork, N.C. by T. Dennis Glazener

The history of the Gillespie gunmaking clan and a study of existing rifles attributed to them. Softcover, 76 pages, 8-1/2" X 11".

In this book, T. Dennis Glazener, himself a Gillespie descendant, combines genealogical information on the Gillespie gunmakers with photos and documentation on their guns. Using copious original sources, Glazener traces the Gillespie gunmakers from John Gillespie, Sr., born circa 1753 in Virginia, to Robert Harvey Gillespie (1791-1881). Original documents, including wills, pension applications and census records among others, combine to give a picture of the life and work of these gunmakers. Altogether ten Gillespie gunmakers are covered, representing three generations.

 

Each chapter includes biographical details of the gunmaker’s life and, where possible, photos of guns made by him. The guns are shown in full and in close-ups featuring important details. Specifics regarding construction and measurements are included.

 

By far the most famous of the Gillespie gunmakers were Matthew, son of John Sr., and Matthew’s son Phillip, perhaps in part because of their willingness to sign their work. Phillip was featured in Foxfire 5 and was the maker of the rifle said to have been given to Chuttahsotee by William Holland Thomas, friend and later chief of the Qualla Cherokee. The Chuttahwotee rifle is pictured in the book.

 

The last chapter focuses on a number of unsigned rifles that are thought to be Gillespie guns. As with other chapters, the guns are shown in full and close-up showing specific details of construction.

 

Although the photography throughout the book is not as crisp and the layout is not as professional as might be desired, the passion of the author and the depth of his knowledge more than make up for this. The information is conveyed clearly, though plainly, and the photos are abundant.

 

Throughout this work, the author makes a commendable effort to plainly state what is known and documented about these gunmakers and what is merely speculation. That, combined with his exhaustive biographical research, makes this work an important contribution to the body of knowledge of early Southern guns, an area of gunmaking that has long taken a back seat to more widely known and studied early styles and regions.