What makes a Virginia Rifle?

[AZ-Robert]

Prompted by Kmeyer's question about locks... what are the features that make a VA rifle distinct?

 

[flintriflesmith]

There are over a dozen recognized regional styles within Virginia. So there is no single set of characteristics that define a "Virginia" rifle.

Some of the kits that claim to be Virginia rifles are based loosely on a particular surviving example. It would be better is those selling the kits were more specific in their attribution -- as they are with terms like Lancaster for that particular style of PA rifle.

 

[rich pierce]

That is a great response. It seems the more we learn, the more we are convinced that there are no general rules. Gunsmiths moved around.
Making a gun to emulate or evoke an original attributed to a certain area and time is a fun and worthwhile challenge.

If you are asking, "What features would help evoke a Virginia origin for a Pre-Revolutionary War styled rifle for most re-enactors today?" I'd suggest:

Maple stock (most of the time) that may or may not have as prominent a cheekpiece as Pennsylvania guns of the same attributed period.

Swamped barrel at least .45 caliber and an inch or more in thickness at the breech (same as a Pennsylvania gun).

English styled round faced flintlock lock of good size (more often than in Pennsylvania, though Germanic locks were used in the South and English locks in the North).

Tang carving, if any, that is "scalloped"- best to study originals.

Brass mounts (90% or more of the time), perhaps of less Germanic styling than Pennsylvania guns.

Those are the guidelines I'd use for "Generic Colonial Virginia". But Okwaho, FRS, and TG are great sources. They and others who don't post here have handled many more than I, who am currently mostly a bookworm when it comes to Southern guns.

 

[George F.]

Check out the book GUNSMITHS OF VIRGINIA by James B. Whisker through Old Bedford Press 814-623-1943 ( this might be a old area code). I bought mine through Track Of The Wolf. The book goes through the different schools and their characteristics. It's 158 pages black & white photos, bio's on various smiths, a map or two.
They seem to me very similar to the York school, but not as finely decorated( this is my opinion with an extremely limited exposure to this area ). The Sheetz family made some beautiful guns.
One of the real experts would be Wallace Gustler. Chris Lauback works at Williamsburg I beleive, and is a frequent poster on the forum, maybe he can be educate us.
.........George F.

 

[flintriflesmith]

Whisker's books are better than no books at all but I believe there are a number of errors such as mislabled photos and incorrect attributions.

Wallace Gusler is working very hard on his book on Virginia rifles and the gunsmiths. The manuscript for volume 1 is due at the editor next month. Vol 1 will include the northernmost counties in the Shanandoah Valley and those gunsmiths whose work has its roots in those areas even if they worked elsewhere. As I understand the division between Volume 1 and 2, Augusta Co. Rockbridge Co. and points south and west will be in volume 2.

I believe Vol.1 will also have a section on the origin/evolution of the longrifle that will look at early rifles from several regions.

 

[George F.]

Thanks for the info on `Wallace Gustler's work, can't wait for them to come out...I'll have to drop alot of hints for the holidays. Also I am far from being an authority on ANY school or region, I just look at them and see what impresses or ahhhhhh's me, I guess somebody could of really put me in my place, thanks for being kind.

......George F.
P.S. I love your work Gary

 

[flintriflesmith]

George,
One thing worth mentioning, just in case Wallace ever logs in here or I print him a copy. It is Gusler not Gustler or Guzzler or Gusller or any of the other spellings you see on message boards.
And nobody actually calls him Wally except as a joke.

As for hinting for the book as a holiday gift --think 2006. It will take some months to get the books through copy editing and production. There will be hundreds of photographs, which for many will be worth the price of the books. Wallace has decided that he needs to show even more details than Shumway did. Even so he will have photos of hundreds of VA rifles in his files that will end up not being included in the book. Maybe we can convince him to come out with a CD later on. :winking:
Gary

 

[kmeyer]

When you look at the various supply companies, some of them refer to a Virginia, Tennesee, Carolina rifles. Others just sell component sets referred to as Southern rifles. As stated various gunsmiths moved around and took they're styles with them. They are all so similiar that the name southern rifle is probably just as accurate.

 

[Okwaho]

Late 18th and early 19th century Virginia rifles often have a taller butt {measurement between the heel and toe of the butt}which seems to be peculiar to Virginia just as the incised line/molding along each side of the comb at the top suggests North Carolina production of finer rifles in the same period.For a good example of a North Carolina rifle see Kindig No.262 signed "J V"{John Vogler who was a member of the Vogler family of gunsmiths in Old Salem,North Carolina}.
There are also some details on the guards especially the iron ones that suggest Southwest Virginia.and perhaps western North Carolina. origin.
Tom Patton

 

[flintriflesmith]

... They are all so similiar that the name southern rifle is probably just as accurate.

Ouch!
The modern components may be very similiar but that is because the dealers, with the exception of Reaves Goehring, have not taken the time to develop the various component sets.
The original rifles are quit distinctive. The various Virginia regional styles are as unique and recoginisable as those in PA, TN, Maryland or North Carolina.

 

[BLAHMAN]

It would be nice to see a few pics so that all could get an idea.

How about posting some?

 

[dek]

:winking: A really good book for anyone wanting a general idea of what the different schools of gun makers produced and what their work looks like should get "Kentucky Rifles & Pistols 1750-1850" by James R. Johnston. This book has outstanding photography and shows examples of most important schools to include VA. This was published by Golden Age Arms[url] Co.in[/url] 1976 and I think it is now out of print. You may try eBay or one of the other online auction sites. Jim is no longer in business and was the owner of Golden Age Arms Co.
I am lucky enough to have a signed copy plus several other of his other outstanding books.