1805 Virginia Manufactory Rifle

[krolick]

Here are some pics of my 1805 first model Virginia rifle. It is a first run of the first model. The rifles made from January to June of 1805 were trimmed in brass with swamped octagonal barrels. All were 45 cal. Barrel lengths were between 43"-46". Barrels will be stamped by hand with the regiment and county they were kept in. All of the first model rifles had the rattle snake patch box. These were all hand engraved - no two are exactly the same. The locks are stamped "Virginia" in block and the letters of the word "Manufactory" is in script. Also, on the tail of the lock there is the word "Richmond" and a date such as 1805. They all bear the motto 'Don't Tread On Me' in a folk art script on the wings of the patch box. Most of these rifles were stocked in walnut but sugar maple was used on occasion. After June a switch was made to iron furniture and the barrels went from fully octagonal to octagonal to round with a very slight swell at the muzzel. The first group, it is said, reflected the individuality of the articifer stocking the piece. Starting in 1806 they became a bit more standardised. Most of the first model rifles were consumed in the war of 1812. Recently I had a discussion with members of 'ASAC'. We could only account for 8 documented known surviving examples of rattle snake patch box rifles - one in brass (total made apx 239 between 1805-1808). The one in the pic is my personal rifle. It was made June of 2012. It's barrel is 44-1/4" and the stock in walnut. I did all the work. GS

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[pargent]

:thumbsup:

 

[Trench]

Great job in bringing some history back to life. It looks great! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Drago]

:thumbsup: That is nice, thanks for the history, how does it shoot?

 

[Renegade Dan]

Beautiful rifle GS! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

 

[Luke MacGillie]

That is very, very nice! Can I have it? :grin:

 

[duca]

Great job! Looks real nice. Enjoy.......

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

VERY nice! I am green with jealousy. :wink:

Are your parts from The Rifle Shoppe? It is nicely done, you can be (and obviously are) proud of it.

Were you the maker? The Virginia Historical Society has an excellent exhibit on the Virginia Manufactory of Arms and it's products with at least a couple of the 1st Model Rifles on display. Have you seen it? Giles Cromwell donated his collection to the Historical Society and worked with them on the exhibit.

 

[MSW]

wow- great looking work!

:hatsoff:

 

[wattlebuster]

I like it :hatsoff:

 

[vthunter52]

Very nice :hatsoff:

 

[George T.]

What a great rifle! You have talent my Man! Geo. T.

 

[krolick]

Thanks for taking a look. I made this one for myself. It took 3 weeks to build. All the components to make this came from Track and Pecatonica. Some pieces I had to make totally from scratch. Fortunately, my engraving skills are par with those of the workers at the armory. The one offered from TRS is the iron mounted 1806 variant. I wanted mine to be the earliest model possible, so I choose the brass mounted one. It is a shooter - tight groups. The MG lock is very quick and reliable. A few years back I built one of the Archibald Rutherford Virginia contract rifles - but on that one I used a Chambers Late Ketland lock with a roller on the frizzen spring, same markings. One of the guys I shoot with has it now. GS

 

[54ball]

Wow! :thumbsup:

 

[Va.Manuf.06]

Congratulations, you did very well. :hatsoff:

Did you do the trigger guard casting yourself? It appears very close. It is sad that the Virginia Manufactory products - muskets, rifles, pistols, edged weapons and cannon - are so overlooked by so many collectors and, mot of all, builders. I do have a Colerain barrel for the Va. Manuf. 1st Pattern musket, one of these days......

Rutherford rifles are quite popular here in the central Shenandoah Valley.

 

[krolick]

I do agree. The ordinance made at the Virigina Manufactory is almost forgoten. I think their early rifles are the most elegant and stylish of all the US military flint rifles. One of my good friends owns 3 of the 2nd models. All 3 saw use in the war and all are percussioned. Speaking of your musket barrel - it would great to see it on a finished piece. No one I know has one,yet. I'm surprised that prior to the 150th of the civil war, no major manufactor has made a type 1,2 Virginia musket since thats where most of them finally saw use. I had thought of reworking some repro 1795 Springfields into V muskets, but I've got plenty to do for now. When I get a chance I will scan the 35MM's of the Rutherford rifle and post them. Actually, both of these rifles were not difficult to make. I could just make another one sometime. The trigger guard is from Tracks stock -its part #TG-MA-121.B. One of my friends has foundry capabilities, but this was just more efficient time wise. My friend who has the 3 rifles knows Mr.Cromwel and had suggested we all get together someday. Don't know if I'll ever find the time? It's great to here from someone who appreciates southern military firearams. GS. PS, At some point in the future, I'll post my M1819 Hall. It's still in flint but saw use by our southern troops. It's got a Leech&Rigdon 4 square stamp on the receiver. I still shoot it.

 

[Tumblernotch]

Good job on the VM!

I've been thinking over the years of reworking the markings on a repro Charleville I have to a VM musket. I would probably keep it as flint since so many that were used in the Western Virginia (W.VA) campaign were not altered. It's one of those Japanese models and too thick in the stock. That can be dealt with pretty easily. The plate is engraved light enough that I could remove everything, but my engraving is not good enough at this point to replace it.

 

[Black Jack]

Beautiful....a truly unique appearance and character.

 

[krolick]

If you should decide to rework your musket to a Virginia musket, which would be a neat project, I can help with the restamping. I've already done a few. GS

 

[Tumblernotch]

Thanks! Right now it's just a back-burner project. I've got a few others ahead of it and I've been pretty slow getting them done.