First Model Virginia Manufactory Rifle

circa 1806

This rifle was taken directly from originals in public and private collections.

The lock castings are from The Rifle Shoppe, all other parts are made in my shop.

The barrel is 46" long, octagon to round and is .48 caliber (40 balls to the lb.) as were the originals.

Weight is 9¾ lbs.

The Virginia Manufactory began producing rifles about 1803. Earliest examples are unknown

except in written records. The earliest surviving example is dated 1805 and has brass mounts and a full

octagonal barrel. Iron mounted versions like the one below began in 1806. By 1809 a new model was approved

that was brass mounted and contracted with various outside contractors including Frederick Sheets of

Hampshire Co., VA. (now West VA.) and Archibald Rutherford of Harrisonburg, VA. These pattern 1809

versions looked like typical longrifles with a pointed spade shaped finial on the patchbox. By 1812 rifles were

being produced at the Manufactory again. These were brass mounted that had a bell shaped finial on the patchbox.

The barrels were 39" long, fully octagonal straight tapered and in .48 caliber. Rifle production pretty much stopped

by 1821 due to the low demand during a peacetime period.

All of the arms produced by the Va. Manufactory were marked on the barrel for the regiment to which they were issued.

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