the early NC Rifle

[StarnesRowan]

What would an 1760s-1770s NC longrifle look like?

 

[nchawkeye]

Early Moravian...

 

[Brokennock]

Mostly just assumption based on trends in gun culture through that time period.....
1760's rifle in NC??? Well, if you found an example I would guess it would be much like other early rifles found in Pennsylvania and maybe parts of Virginia..... Something along the lines of the Marshal rifle and other rifles from that time frame. A little shorter and thicker than what many picture as the classic "longrifle." Brass mounted, wood patchbox, showing much germanic influence. It most likely would have traveled there from PA, or the builder of it did.
Early 1770's probably much the same. Maybe a little longer and slimmer, maybe starting to have a chance of metal patchbox.
Again, the rifle most likely would have been brought there by its owner from PA, VA, maybe Maryland, made in one of those states or even possibly imported depending on who is carrying it.
I'm not sure when rifles started being built in NC but it would be a pretty good bet that whoever built the 1st ones came from one of the aforementioned states, and the early guns would show that influence.

 

[StarnesRowan]

Mostly just assumption based on trends in gun culture through that time period.....
1760's rifle in NC??? Well, if you found an example I would guess it would be much like other early rifles found in Pennsylvania and maybe parts of Virginia..... Something along the lines of the Marshal rifle and other rifles from that time frame. A little shorter and thicker than what many picture as the classic "longrifle." Brass mounted, wood patchbox, showing much germanic influence. It most likely would have traveled there from PA, or the builder of it did.
Early 1770's probably much the same. Maybe a little longer and slimmer, maybe starting to have a chance of metal patchbox.
Again, the rifle most likely would have been brought there by its owner from PA, VA, maybe Maryland, made in one of those states or even possibly imported depending on who is carrying it.
I'm not sure when rifles started being built in NC but it would be a pretty good bet that whoever built the 1st ones came from one of the aforementioned states, and the early guns would show that influence.

The first gunsmiths are morivians. They come down from PA in 1756

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Styles varied wildly depending where in NC the rifle was made, just like in PA. There are some excellent books on the subject. We all remember books, right?

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

A fellow named Betz was active in that time frame. ProbBly came out of CS, and may have had training in Germany.

 

[leam]

Styles varied wildly depending where in NC the rifle was made, just like in PA. There are some excellent books on the subject. We all remember books, right?

Newbie asking, any particular recommendations on those "book" things?

 

[StarnesRowan]

Newbie asking, any particular recommendations on those "book" things?

Michael Briggs has quite a few books on NC longrifles and a few guns in those books predate the revolutionary war. But getting some books on moravian gunmaking woul be good too. RCA is always a go to

 

[rich pierce]

There would not be many established styles in the timeframe in question. Many rifles of that period were not signed, making it difficult to nail down when and where they were made. So you can choose to emulate a known early rifle that could have been made there in the timeframe because it fits the timeframe. Big wide, flat buttplate, prominent cheekpiece, guard with handrail well off the wrist, swamped barrel at least 1” at the breech, and an early lock all fit the 1760-1770 timeframe.

 

[StarnesRowan]

There would not be many established styles in the timeframe in question. Many rifles of that period were not signed, making it difficult to nail down when and where they were made. So you can choose to emulate a known early rifle that could have been made there in the timeframe because it fits the timeframe. Big wide, flat buttplate, prominent cheekpiece, guard with handrail well off the wrist, swamped barrel at least 1” at the breech, and an early lock all fit the 1760-1770 timeframe.

If you want to focus on the salem area the best thing to do is look at thise guns in Bethlehem and lancaster PA

 

[rich pierce]

If you want to focus on the salem area the best thing to do is look at thise guns in Bethlehem and lancaster PA

Great advice. I think one challenge we see is that folks from an area often would like to build something that is clearly from their area and nowhere else. That can be tough sledding in the 1760-1770 timeframe unless the area is a major gun making center with several hallmark guns still existing, that have strong kinship in style.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

william ivey has a great book on NC rifles. Google is your friend