|
|
|
|
David says that he was carrying this rifle when he first met his wife, Polly Finley, at a reaping in the valley below Bays Mountain in East Tennessee. He also tells of winning shooting matches for beef quarters with it and also of an incident where he is on a wolf hunt and finds his bride to be lost in some remote woodland searching for strayed cattle. In his autobiography this is the only rifle he singles out for discussion. He tells of having to make the decision to sell the wonderful gun to get enough money to buy a horse so he could get married and begin farming.
When you see the rifle you will know why it made such a strong impression on a 17-year old boy and how only the affections of a lovely young woman could get him to part with it. At age 48 when he wrote the autobiography he still singled out this rifle as one of his fondest memories of his youth.
Caywood Gunmakers is proud to announce the exclusive production of David Crockett's first gun. The present owner, Mr. Joe Swann of Maryville, TN., has graciously consented to allow our company to recreate this beautiful piece of Americana in numbered, limited edition form. The gun was originally built in .48 caliber and we will produce 100 guns. The owners name will be engraved on a sterling plate precisely fitted at the bottom of the patchbox recess. The plate will also carry the edition number.
3-18-2008 We have now delivered the #8 David Crockett Rifle to the N.R.A. for the annual convention in Louisville Kentucky, in mid May. It is a quite fitting donation because they are the greatest fighters for our 2nd amendment rights, crucial to all of our freedoms. The theme of the Crockett Rifle is "David Crockett Freedom Fighter". David fought for freedom his entire life, starting with freeing settlement lands for the homesteaders in Tennessee. His eventual downfall came at the Alamo while fighting for Texas independence. We have an extensive posting of photos of the #8 Crockett Rifle. Just click the link below. If you have any questions concerning the Crockett Rifle or the auction , please feel free to contact us here at Caywood Gunmakers at your convenience. As an added benefit , the Crockett Rifle comes with a hand-made hunting bag, with two horns, belt knife, double bitted ax, brass ball mold, hand turned screwdriver by master builder, John Barrett. Mr. Barrett's work is in high demand and is the perfect companion to the heirloom Crockett Rifle.
We are now offering a special deal to our Crockett Rifle customers, past and future. We are in the process of finishing a new lodge on King's River, Caywood's Camp-Run-a-Muk. This beautiful 4000 square foot lodge, built from red cypress logs, will serve as centerpiece for a weekend of fun and excitement. Projected for a June opening, we will host a weekend of shooting, floating, fishing, general relaxation and fun on one of America's finest smallmouth bass rivers. All ground transportation, food, lodging (double occupancy), floating gear, fishing gear and services will be included for this once-in-a-lifetime vacation. We will pick up the customer at X.N.A in Northwest Arkansas for a full 3-day weekend of good times and learning. If the customer so chooses, we can expertly teach the fundamentals of shooting, loading, cleaning and care of their fine new Crockett Rifle. With on-site facilities, we can sight in their new gun and show all the proper techniques to enjoy their heirloom quality historical piece. A free tour of our factory will show the customer all of the many systems involved in re-creating David Crockett's First Rifle replica. It is always such a pleasure to meet and get acquainted with our special customers. Though we are in contact by electronics (those darn phones) during the gun building process, this allows a much more informal and interesting interaction. The package is only $400 for the weekend and is extended to Crockett Rifle owners to sight in and learn the basics of using their new heirloom.
We will depart in canoes, guided by Danny and Karen Caywood, from the lodge and float 5 miles of King's river for a treat of legendary smallmouth fishing. Evenings will be spent basking on the luxurious deck overlooking picturesque King's river, fine dining on Angus steaks, and possibly enjoying a few adult beverages. The lodge sits over a fine fishing and swimming hole, custom built for good times. We are currently running 2-3 months behind on Crockett Rifle orders, but place your order today and be first on our list to join us for a weekend of fun and adventure. Our schedule can accommodate yours, so if necessary, you may want to schedule a trip for mid-week. Call for dates and details. I will get pictures posted of the site, river, and lodge-under-construction as soon as possible. Thanks!
3-9-2006 We just shipped out the number 6 David Crockett First Rifle yesterday. The rifle came out beautifully and we hope the new owner is justifiably proud. We have actually built 7 Crockett rifles counting the shop example, so we are getting better and better in our execution of the fine detail work and construction. The stock for the #7 rifle is cut and ready for assembly. It too is a finely figure piece of hard maple and should make for a splendid piece of art work.
Number six Crockett Rifle 3-20-2006 Here's the latest Crockett Rifle to go out. The customer was extremely pleased with his new #6 Crockett Rifle!
5-22-2006 #7 Crockett Rifle, Delivery approx. Nov.-Dec 2006. The stock is cut and ready for final assembly and the extensive hand detail work. Exquisite wood should make this an heirloom quality collector's piece.
11-25-2003. We presented President George W. Bush with the Number 1 Crockett Rifle on November 10th. The President absolutely loved the rifle and is going to keep it as personal gift. We also presented him with the framed certificate of authenticity, ball mold, screwdriver, a hunting bag and pair of horns, by John Barrett. We hope to get a chance to shoot the rifle with President Bush sometime in the future... he's a little busy at the moment! It was a real thrill to meet the most powerful man on earth and get to talk to him. He is very down to earth and was really gracious and appreciative. The Secret Service was instructed to place us at the end of the line to allow the president more time to talk with us. We got to spend 4 or 5 minutes with him and have numerous pictures taken. We will post pictures as soon as the White House releases them.
|
|
Danny and Mike holding the original Crockett rifle before dis-assembling for
study.
We were allowed to completely dis-assemble the original gun at the East Tennessee Historical Society Museum in Knoxville. It
was an honor and thrill to hold this heirloom of American history knowing that David
Crockett had carried and shot this very
firearm.
This gun is built exactly as it was when it was
handed to David.
Features; 46 inch swamped octagon barrel, four piece brass patchbox with reverse
Indian head finial, fully relief-carved curly maple stock and sterling silver
thumbpiece. The gun has beautifully designed carving and stock
architecture and will be a welcome addition to any collector of guns and
Americana.
Using precise production methods to re-create the dimensions, the look and feel of the gun you hold is virtually identical to the gun that David held.
Mike Rowe of Quality Locks, Inc. has agreed to build the master lock and do all of the production lock work. All locks will be finished with a beautiful, hand polished, satin finish. Customer option of a browned lock will be discounted $300.
The numbered, limited edition recreation will offered for $12,500 for a limited time. Edition sequence numbers will be assigned based on orders received. See below for options. All of David Crockett's first gun replicas will come with; a bag mold, fire-blued screw driver with maple handle, a framed, numbered certificate of authenticity, David Crockett's autobiography in soft cover, an aluminum hard case, a Native Sun Production video tape- Crockett's life and Daniel Boone's life, and a history of ownership document detailing all previous owners up to the present day owner, Mr. Joe Swann.
We will customize the sterling plate and provide the
matching numbered certificate of authenticity upon receipt of $2500 deposit..
Please call for details. Delivery of finished guns will be subject to a
waiting period. We will give the customer an approximate time period for
delivery upon ordering.
10-13-2003
In preparation for the upcoming Arkansas bear season, Danny and Mike took the
first Crockett rifle to the range for test firing and sighting. Whoooaaaa, you
talk about fun! The gun performed beyond our expectations. The balls were cast
from the mold which is supplied with each gun and the sprues cut off with
nipping pliers. Using 77 grains of 3fg Elephant powder, the gun shot almost dead
center and elevation was perfect. We did not even change the sights. Watch the
site for the bear pictures because the season starts October 18th. We know
David's rifle will do the job if the bear will do his! Click below for the
pictures of our trip to the range.
Crockett
Rifle Test Firing
Bear
Hunt
11-17-2003 The number 1 Crockett Rifle was presented to President George W. Bush
personally by Danny and Mike on November 10th. Check the daily updates page for
details and soon we'll have pictures. A bag and pair of horns almost identical
to the ones below were also presented to the President. John also built those.
The number 5 Crockett Rifle is now available. Sold.
Click on pictures below for close-ups.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The stock cutting process- contouring, inletting and
laying in the raised carving areas took twelve times longer than standard
production guns normally take. The great benefit is the extreme consistency,
accuracy and time savings to build virtually identical Crockett rifles!
We now have a brochure for the Crockett Rifle and you can request
your brochure by phone or mail for $8.
The first Crockett rifle
(serial number 2)
sold went into a 6 million dollar home as a center piece above the fireplace.
The customer also purchased a beautiful bag/horn/knife combo by John Barrett
to add to the great display.
 |
The wood on all rifles will feature premium figured wood. We guarantee that your stock will be highly figured. You may also specify very highly figured wood if you prefer it for your heirloom. Note the swamped profile of the rifle fore-end which is characteristic of early rifles.
 |
CROCKETT TOP VIEW
We have just finished
another rifle in the Crockett series and it is pictured by clicking on the
link below. Customer chose browned barrel and bright screws for furniture.
Crockett rifle #3.
 |
Danny fitting the sterling silver plate inside patchbox recess as the final step. You can really see the swamped fore-end in this angle.
Upon request, we will provide the customer a floppy disc of the entire construction process of their gun from the blank stage to the finished piece! No charge.
F.A.Q. about David Crockett's first rifle.1. Are these guns built one at a time? The guns are cut on an extremely accurate duplicating machine which exactly duplicates all dimensions right down to the the raised carving. This assures constant dimensions and positioning of all carving and inletted components. By using this duplication system, the customer is assured that all dimensions will remain constant. Undertaking the production of an exact replica would be virtually impossible using normal construction methods. The stocks are then meticulously assembled, contoured and detailed one at a time by experienced professional builders.
2. What options are available? The customer can specify either a browned or bright (hand satin polished) finish for the barrel. Quality Locks Inc. has agreed to supply these locks for customer placement into the gun. Payment for locks will be made to Quality Locks, Inc. The customer can also specify sterling silver or fire-blued steel for the maker's plate on the underside of the patchbox lid. This option may be deleted entirely for a discount of $150.
3. How will the gun be shipped? The cost of shipping is included in the purchase price and includes a lockable aluminum gun case for protection of this valuable American heirloom. The shipping will be handled by Fedex and will be insured for delivery to customer address. If the gun is picked up at factory, customer will receive a discount for cost of shipping and insurance.
4. Can I get a custom display case? Yes, we will arrange for a custom case, according to customer specifications, to be built by The Trunk Shoppe. Call for details.
5. Can I get a bag and accessories? Yes, we have several sources for commercial accessories or hand made custom bags built to customer preference. See John Barrett page on index page.
Bag mold and screwdriver are provided with
each rifle. We have built a brass bag mold with curly maple handles for the set. This new version of the mold is brass with curly maple handles and matches the turnscrew.
6.Why is the David Crockett gun more expensive than the regular production guns you produce? The Crockett rifle is a limited edition gun which took two years to begin production. It is a fully relief and incise carved gun with fully engraved furniture. Controlling all of the materials required to build a top quality full-stocked gun requires extensive time and labor. To consistently produce a documentary copy of an existing gun requires even more time and labor! The precise control of our production systems and our knowledge of their execution allows us to present a product that would never be available otherwise. Being a limited edition gun, these collector's items will increase in value and allow much owner satisfaction and pride in the meantime.
7. Can the rifle be personalized? Yes, the sterling silver plate at the bottom of the patchbox recess will have the customer's name engraved on a beautiful flowing banner. The plate will also contain engraved information on the serial number, caliber and the inscription,
" DAVID CROCKETT- FREEDOM FIGHTER"
President Bush's personalized plate in patchbox recess.
Take a step back in time. Imagine being a young man, walking into the gunmaker's shop, smelling of wood, varnish and smoke, sunlight piercing through the dusty confines. Imagine the excitement David must have felt when the gun was placed into his hands. David had worked long and hard to afford a gun of this quality, to help him begin his adventurous life. As he stepped back out into the sunlight, with his moccasins pointing to the wilderness spread out before him, he finally had the powerful and beautiful tool he needed. David must have felt that he had truly arrived.
