Colonial Virginia Rifle

Rifles made in the 18th Century in the Southern Colonies as a whole, display traits and characteristics that vary widely. The evolution of the southern longrifle in Colonial American was much more erratic than that of it’s Pennsylvania counterpart. Many of these southern rifles also exhibit the efforts of a gunsmith trying to blend the heritage of the Germanic style of gunsmithing with that of the English. The resulting overall appearance is a direct reflection of the sophistication of this cultural blending. It is know that some if not many of these southern gunsmiths, traveled through Lancaster and York during their journey to their final destination in Virginia. Some may have received their training here in Pennsylvania. Others were at least exposed to the regional characteristics that were in vogue during the period. Subsequently, some of these Virginia rifles display the influence of those Pennsylvania characteristics.