A notarized statement from 1947 and a newspaper article from 1953 claim this rifle was owned by Davy Crockett, then the Ratliff family who brought it to Richmond, Indiana, around 1808 and used it for hunting various game including otters and a panther and then kept in the Craft family until it was sold in the late 1940s. However, Alexander McGilvray (b. 1798-d. 1854) of Rockingham County, Virginia, is not listed as active until 1812 or later by most references including James B. Whisker's "Gunsmiths of Virginia". He would have had to have made the rifle when he was just 10 for it to have been given away by Crockett in or before 1808. Given the way parts of the letter are worded, it is likely this rifle was nicknamed Davy Crockett by the Ratliff's after Davy Crockett became well-known since it is similar to some rifles Crockett owned and mistakenly identified by the writer as Crockett's own rifle. McGilvray was a talented maker, and his finer guns retain influences of the American long rifle's "Golden Age." This example has a finely engraved patch box pierced five times, eight silver wedge escutcheons, side plate pierced three times, silver thumb plate, engraved toe plate, small five pointed star inlay between the toe plate and trigger guard tang, silver hunter's star on the cheek rest, and a circular inlay with engraved river and town scene on the left side of the stock near the rear of the butt. A small piece at the toe was replaced and has the inventory mark "84.074/16." The lock has no visible markings but displays floral engraving at the tail and on the hammer. Flash shields are installed around the nipple and the nose of the hammer. The barrel has fixed blade and notch sights, and the rifle is fitted with double set triggers. The stock has checkering at the wrist. A ramrod with brass fittings and a wooden "range rod" are included.

Fair. The barrel and lock have dark brown patina, areas of light to mild pitting and oxidation, and minor marks and scratches. The brass and silver have aged patinas. The stock is good and has a repaired section at the nose of the lock, smoothed checkering, attractive flame figure, and scattered minor scratches. The lock and set triggers function fine, and the signature and engraving patterns are crisp.