Would like to start a list of known originals with rattlesnake patchboxes. I saw one a while back and cannot remember where. Going through all my references trying to find it again but have not been successful. If you know of one, please give any info and sources for pics. The only one I turned up is in Gunsmiths of Adams, Franklin, and Cumberland Counties PA by James Whisker on page 109. It is by John Settel.
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Rattlesnake patchbox rifles
- Thread starter hawkenhunter50
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Interesting post since I have a friend who is building a flintlock with a rattlesnake theme. I'll ask him if he has any references you can use.
Clark Badgett
40 Cal
Are you talking about the Virginia Manufactory Rifle? Like this reproduction
https://claysmithguns.com/first_model_virginia_manufactory.htm
Awesome thanks, I do believe that is it. I have Giles Cromwell's book but hadn't looked through that when I was searching, almost certainly that is where I saw it. Thank you.
Thanks Crisco, that would be appreciated. Sounds like an interesting project your friend has going.
There are some pictures of rattlesnake inlays in the Facebook group Contemporary Longrifle Association. Search for "rattlesnake". Might be info on patchboxes too.
Do you know of any books that the original was published in? I just checked my Cromwell Collection book and nothing in there. All wooden patch boxes or muskets with no box.
Clark Badgett
40 Cal
Moller Vol 2. Rielly discusses them also but only has drawings.
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Clark Badgett
40 Cal
Here is a nice article about the Va Manufactory, and discusses this rifle and others.
https://americansocietyofarmscollec...-Virginia-Manufactory-of-Arms-The-Origina.pdf
https://americansocietyofarmscollec...-Virginia-Manufactory-of-Arms-The-Origina.pdf
Thanks for all the info Clark. I appreciate it.
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Hmmm, something new for me. I had no idea something like that existed.
And I am older than that snake on the rifle since it does not have that many rattles on its tail!
The Doc is out now.
And I am older than that snake on the rifle since it does not have that many rattles on its tail!
The Doc is out now.
Clark Badgett
40 Cal
That's pretty cool. That's the reason for my original question, I was planning a next project. Remembered seeing that patchbox somewhere and figured it might make for a cool project.
Is that all Rifle Shoppe hardware then?
Clark Badgett
40 Cal
Yes it is. I lucked out and found this set second hand along with the correct barrel about 3 years ago
Just found another one. KRF #21 disc The Longrifle in Virginia #49 on the disc. Looks almost identical to the Virginia Manufactory rifle except this one is a brass box. The rifle itself is quite different though. Attributed to Philip Grandstaff.
Clark Badgett
40 Cal
Some of them had Brass furniture.
longhunter 1776
36 Cl.
Saw the rattlesnake patchbox on a couple of southern rifles from georgia,,late rifles ,all brass mounted but to my surprise there they were!!
There’s one on display at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in Richmond.
Jay
Jay
I talked to the fellow whose building the rattlesnake rifle today. He said he found very few photos of originals with the motif and most of the engraving was pretty crude. He's getting his ideas from snake photos and doing the rest from inspiration. I've seen some of it and it looks good. He made a punch to stamp scales into the top jaw and I think some snake eyes as well. I'll take another look next time I'm in his shop.
Crisco Kid, sounds like a cool project. Direct him here to the referenced guns for some more info. Also found another to add. William Weiss gun in Thoughts on the Kentucky Rifle by Joe Kindig pages 128-129. If you got any pics of his work add them here, would be neat to see.
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